The day William F. Buckley, Jr. was upstaged by Mr. Rogers

It was May 1987. I was supposed to be marching across a stage to receive my master's degree. My parents drove the 330 miles to Ohio to see me graduate, even though I failed to finish my thesis in time to participate. I hadn't even started writing the damned thing.

We decided to go to graduation anyway. William F. Buckley Jr. was the keynote speaker. He was one of the better known luminaries to speak at a BGSU commencement. It was a big deal.

I had been to my share of commencement exercises, so I had a good idea what to expect from Buckley: sage words of wisdom and advice for all the lucky suckers graduating that day.

After an introduction long on accolades and praise, Buckley stepped up to the podium. He spoke. When he finished, there was a moment of awkward silence followed by tepid applause.

Though none of us dared to admit it, I suspect we were all asking ourselves: "What the fuck was that all about?"

You know what I'm talking about.

How perfect that on this day, the recipient of an honorary doctorate also gave a speech. While Buckley lost us with his ten dollar words and never ending sentences, this man kept it simple.

This man was none other than Fred Rogers, of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. In his quintessentially gentle manner, Mr. Rogers spoke of all those things one needs to know and learns in the neighborhood... his neighborhood (forget about Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum). He ended his speech by leading us all in the singing of It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

The crowd cheered and erupted in impassioned applause. I'll never forget it. The ever humble Fred Rogers totally upstaged William F. Buckley, Jr.

How fitting, at least in my mind, that Mr. Rogers and Mr. Buckley have February 27th in common.

Rest in peace, neighbors.