By Randy Cowling, Managing Editor
March 26, 2009 — It was a day filled with celebrations.
Rogers State University marked its 100th birthday as an educational institution in Northeast Oklahoma.
School officials revealed the new name of the RSU Student Services Center to kick off the day's events. The complex will carry the name Centennial Center in honor of the university's longevity.
RSU President Dr. Larry Rice said it was fitting the new student center reflect RSU's history.
CBS Political Analyst Jeff Greenfield drew birthday festivities to a close with a political update in the RSU Ballroom inside the Centennial Center.
Greenfield, who has worked with ABC, CNN and now CBS, said it wouldn't be fitting if he didn't talk about Will Rogers while speaking at a university named after the American icon.
"It's a particular treat for me," he said.
With the ballroom filled to near capacity, Greenfield said Rogers' ability to criticize politics through laughter and humor "resonates" with current events of today.
"When Rogers said 'stupidity got us into this mess, no reason why it can't get us out of it' he wasn't too far off," Greenfield said.
The veteran news commentator outlined what he believes are the opposing forces in today's political arena.
He said cultural populism and economic populism are two strains which are re-emerging in these economic times.
Economic populism views the government or the establishment having too much power while cultural populism sees those with power as elitist who are out to undermine the government.
Rogers embodied both, Greenfield said.
"The more folks learn to read the less they earn a living," Greenfield quoted Rogers as a cultural populist.
Greenfield sees the crux of these views being utilized by both Democrats and Republicans.
Many see President Barack Obama as a populist. Greenfield said the president was able to do what most populists strive to accomplish - connect with people on relevant issues.
In the 2008 election, Obama was able to connect with 18-29 year olds through new technology.
"The cultural platform didn't work to turn young voters," Greenfield said. Republicans couldn't overcome the desire for change, a collapse in the economy and the oldest person ever nominated as a presidential candidate.
There is a chance either view of populism might shift into the "ugliest" form of populism that seeks to blame a group, he said.
When Rush Limbaugh recently said on his radio program that he wanted Obama to fail, he was the most honest of conversatives, Greenfield said.
Those who carry the banner of cultural populism, which the Republican Party has as a foundation, do not want Obama's policies to succeed because what Republicans have as a platform would be considered wrong.
"Populism may not be what America needs," he said.
The Democrat view that government programs can solve the nation's problems would diminish the Republican stance on cultural issues such as abortion, same-sex marriages and deregulation, he said.
"We're gonna have a political battle," Greenfield said. "Not for the future of either party but the future of our country."
Rivaling any parade in recent years, RSU filled Will Rogers Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon with floats and two marching bands. Students and faculty marched through downtown as children and adults cheered on the celebratory event.
A giant birthday cake was cut and shared with students, faculty and area residents.
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents held its regular meeting at RSU prior to the day's events.
