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, who chose him based on a warm response Stein got at an on-campus lecture last spring, 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 – who was to be paid $7,500 – backed out on his own.
Stein, 64, has drawn fire before for criticizing evolutionary theory and speaking in favor of intelligent design.
Stein calls the controversary "laughable" and says he is not "anti-science" as some critics have labeled him.