Comedian Ben Stein has backed out of giving the commencement address at the University of Vermont because of complaints about his view of evolutionary theory.
UVM President Daniel Fogel chose him based on a warm response Stein got at an on-campus lecture last spring. Fogel says he was deluged with e-mail messages from people who find Stein’s views of science offensive. Fogel says that when he told Stein about the criticism, Stein backed out on his own. He was to be paid $7,500 for the speech.
Stein has drawn fire before for criticizing evolutionary theory and speaking in favor of intelligent design.