FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2022

Media Contact: Mary Tablante, Asian American Scholar Forum, media@aasforum.org

Washington, D.C.— CEO and Chancellor Thomas Keon mocked Asian languages when he made up words that “sounded Asian” at a Purdue University Northwest graduation ceremony last week. Asian American Scholar Forum issues the following statement:

“We strongly condemn the racist actions of Chancellor Keon on a special occasion when students and their families should have been focused on celebrating their graduation and being inspired by the Chancellor’s speech. Discrimination and racism should not be present anywhere, but as an organization that represents academics and researchers, we take any mockery or discriminatory acts at higher education institutions seriously. While Chancellor Keon issued an apology saying he did not intend to be hurtful, Asian Americans everywhere know the pain of being othered and a deeper understanding of the history of anti-Asian hate is sorely needed. Chancellor Keon and leaders like him need to hold themselves at a higher standard and must be held accountable. ”

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Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national nonprofit that promotes academic belonging, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provosts, vice provosts, deans, associate deans, and past and current department chairs.