Just one day after the "Parks and Recreation" series finale, an online petition began circulating on social media, hoping to recreate the show's final scene and bring Poehler to Bloomington to speak at the May 2016 commencement ceremony.
David Cohen, a junior majoring in environmental management, said when watching the finale, he was disappointed to see the final scene was not filmed at IU. This inspired him to turn to Change.org to make his case to bring Poehler to Bloomington for real.
The petition received more than 800 signatures in about 17 hours. The goal is currently 5,000 signatures.
"I expected some responses from friends and family, but it really does seem like the Hoosier community feels similarly," Cohen said in an email.
That being said, The Odyssey staff came up with 10 reasons why Poehler would be an amazing commencement speaker:
1. She created Waffle Wednesdays.
And who doesn't love waffles? That automatically qualifies her to be an excellent graduation speaker.
2. She's not like a regular mom.
She's a cool mom.
3. She taught us the importance of "treat yo'self".
A message that would resonate well with college graduates.
4. She's the reason for Galentine's Day.
A day very holy to single college women (and even people who aren't single). So she'll really understand a lot of people in the audience.
5. She's hosted the Golden Globes multiple times.
So obviously she would kill it at a graduation speech.
6. We could get some Hillary Clinton impersonations.
Which would be an added bonus considering this is during a presidential election year.
7. Bringing Poehler here might mean we get a visit from Tina Fey as well.
The funniest women alive. Together. In Bloomington.
8. She understands Indiana and the Midwest.
We'll actually appreciate her jokes and references after going to school here for four years.
9. Poehler speaking at our commencement puts us on the same level as Harvard.
Maybe even higher.
10. Not only would her speech be incredibly inspiring, it would be hilarious.
A win-win.
So Amy, will you please come to our graduation? Please say yes!!
