Give Infamous Alums the Boot
By Carl Lindemann ’79, Assistant School Minister and Instructor in Religion ’91-’93
Are teachers responsible for what students do with their learning? This classic question hearkens back to Socrates’ condemnation for educating Alcibiades, the Benedict Arnold of Ancient Athens. Now, with the Academy’s primary purpose to shape the “minds and morals of the youth under their charge,” the notoriety of numerous alumni should be the occasion for reflection— and action.
Three Exonians have recently proven themselves world-class in their pursuit of infamy. If we were to award a top prize, should the laurels go to a former Trustee who departed that service for his pivotal part in enabling the opioid epidemic? The death toll from that has now passed 500,000 lives, with countless others mangled and maimed. Is that bested by another’s algorithmic malevolence that has undermined democratic society worldwide? It is, as yet, unclear if the American experiment in self-governance will survive his machinations and the political violence it has inspired.
As notable as these achievements may be, what Richard Edelman ’72, may yet accomplish is— quite literally —the be-all and end-all. He has been named “one of America’s top climate villains.” It is likely that no other alumnus is as consequential to the lives of current Exonians and those that follow. History itself may not survive to record how his ongoing efforts on behalf of the fossil fuel industry brings about the collapse of civilization.
Edelman is the CEO of the top public relations firm that has driven doubt and denial for the likes of ExxonMobil, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute. Of late, his firm’s messaging for them has shifted gears as the reality of our predicament has become undeniable. The spin is fast and furious to delay and deflect effective climate action. That is sure to maximize profits— at the cost of any hope to avoid a careening, out-of-control crash long after they’ve cashed the last client check.
Is there any way to throw this into reverse? Over the past year, fellow public relations professionals as well as hundreds of scientists have confronted Edelman on this publicly. Will he cease and desist from this work? Pressured by worldwide media coverage, Edelman responded by saying they’d review their client list. The result? He discovered that his firm “has played a key role in helping organizations acknowledge the significance of climate change and start their journey towards action.” Actually, if he has his way, this “journey” will be a slow one defined more by inaction. A trade newspaper’s headline puts this into plain language: “Edelman to Fossil-Fuel Clients: You’re Safe Here.”
As the Class of ’72 returns this week to mark their fiftieth reunion, current students should feel free to share their concerns with Edelman if he’s on campus. How will his part in today’s climate crisis shape their lives if it turns to catastrophe and cataclysm when the Class of ’22’s fiftieth reunion arrives? Some may feel this intrusive and inappropriate. If so, what a sad legacy for the Academy’s activist era of the early 70s, a time defined by much of The Exonian’s editorial board resigning for freedom of speech and against editorial interference! Have these aging alumni ripened and rotted into shutting down students speaking up against those selling out their future?
The faculty, too, may wish to have a say. The Academy regularly recognizes alumni for their “usefulness to mankind.” But only offering incentives is obviously insufficient as the infamous activities of recent alumni attest. Other institutions have revoked diplomas and honorary degrees to express their dismay. Shouldn’t this be an option when an alumnus has manifested John Phillips’ fear for unleashing “knowledge without goodness” on society? Officially ostracizing Exonians is also in keeping with traditions. As their chickens come home to roost, infamous alumni would remember that Exeter is not a warm nest.
Lindemann is the author of Santa Soaked, a youth empowerment climate story.
The sources used in this article are cited in the PDF version on The Exonian’s website.
