If Betsy DeVos’s appearance at Bethune-Cookman University, a private historically black institution, was intended to cement the Trump administration’s outreach to HBCUs, it appeared to be a flop.
Boos and jeers from graduating students accompanied DeVos’s remarks throughout her commencement address. Bethune-Cookman President Edison Jackson even interrupted at one point to warn students, “If this behavior continues, your degrees will be mailed to you.”
The booing continued and DeVos raised her voice to continue her remarks while some students stood and turned their backs and others walked out with fists raised, according to reports from the commencement. Video showed administrators behind DeVos, clearly uncomfortable, conferring about what to do about the boos. DeVos generally spoke above the crowd and could be heard on audio of the event.
