It has been almost three weeks since President Barack Obama delivered ASU’s 2009 commencement address before about 70,000 people at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

By all accounts, the president gave an excellent speech that comically disarmed the volatile honorary-degree controversy and then earnestly inspired the thousands of graduates in attendance to constantly strive for more, reminding them that no matter how many accolades one has earned, there is always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve.

At the core of the speech, Obama urged ASU graduates not to rest on their laurels. A group of continuing Sun Devils seemingly took that message to heart, as well.

Looking at the appropriately ASU-sized spectacle put on to celebrate the honor of Obama’s visit, some members of the class of 2010 decided they were not content with allowing their predecessors in the class of 2009 to have the only memorable graduation. So instead of resting on the laurels of a presidential visit, a group of incoming seniors are already looking to follow up this year’s commencement with a major splash of their own by landing ASU yet another highly sought-after orator.

Like Obama, the targeted speaker leads a sizeable nation, has been one of GQ’s Men of the Year winners, has been on the cover of Rolling Stone, has been one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, has written a No. 1 New York Times Best Seller and has run for President of the United States.

However, unlike Obama, Stephen Colbert, the king of faux ego, has never filled a stadium with eager listeners.

And that’s what students like Jessica Aguilar, a political science senior, are banking on.

Last Thursday, Aguilar created a Facebook group titled “Stephen Colbert for Spring 2010 Commencement @ ASU.” Two days later, the group boasted more than 1,000 members hoping to bring the Stone Phillips of satire to campus next May. And its numbers are still quickly on the rise.

But the ever-growing group isn’t the only thing Aguilar and her friends are doing to entice Comedy Central’s all-American treasure to come to Tempe. It is only, according to Aguilar, “step one.”

She said she plans to speak with University officials and organize the production of fan videos intended to pique Colbert’s interest.

“We want to make it seem like a challenge to Colbert. Can he pack Sun Devil Stadium [like Obama did]?” Aguilar said.

Even though the event is still almost an entire year away, the work has already begun. So, if you, too, are a member of the Colbert Nation, what can you do?

Give Stephen some sound advice. Write him a strongly worded letter of concern; he could find it troublesome that Obama and his “socialististas” spread their propaganda all over our campus, a campus that is already prone to devil worship. Let him know that ASU is only No. 121 in US News & World Report’s rankings and is desperate for the “Colbert bump.”

Warn him that if he doesn’t come, we could be stuck with some blowhard like Sean Penn. Remind him that even though he’s already received an honorary doctorate from Knox College, an ASU degree would be the real feather in his cap as the president didn’t even get one.

And, if nothing else, log in to Facebook and join the online ranks.
Appealing to Colbert’s vanity is what could very well make ASU’s 2010 commencement as appealing as the one before it.

“I think our campaign for Colbert has a shot. As long as we put in the hard work and dedication, we can make this happen,” Aguilar said.
“Colbert would be really great. … He is very entertaining, witty and intelligent, an accomplished person, an engaging character and he would be a great send-off to the class of 2010.”

Ain’t that the truth(iness). Let’s get to work then, shall we?

Better know a Ben at bberkley@asu.edu