Indiana News VP Mike Pence speaks at Taylor University commencement UPLAND, Ind. (WANE) – Vice President Mike Pence spoke to graduates at Taylor University Saturday morning. Vice President Pence addressed the crowd of graduates and proud family members as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Pence, an Indiana native, touched on the future and even delivered a message to the recent graduates from President Donald Trump. You can watch the entire commencement address in the video above. — Taylor University commencement brings a crowd to Upland, Indiana every year, but this year people there are expecting a packed weekend as Vice President Mike Pence will be Taylor’s commencement speaker. The United States Vice President’s visit to the Indiana town of less than 4,000 people, has some businesses unsure of what to expect. “Yeah, we have no idea,” said Mark Souers, the general manager of Upland’s famous restaurant Ivanhoes. “There’ll be a lot more people at the commencement so are they going to want to get lunch here at Ivanhoe’s before they leave town? You just never know.” Ivanhoes would appear to be prepared for a Mike Pence visit. “When he was governor, he stopped by Ivanhoes,” Souers said. “So, that’s always in the back of your mind that you hope that he’ll stop by, but I’ve been told by local law enforcement that with the Secret Service, it’d be very unlikely if he did.” While some people are excited for the Vice President to visit, not everyone is excited to hear his speech. Some graduating seniors at Taylor said they would not watch Pence speak at graduation. Taylor University said it is prepared for that. “We’ve made a way for those who wish to depart and not hear the speech to do that and to do that gracefully and without interruption to the rest of the proceedings,” said Jim Garringer, Taylor University’s director of media relations. “At the same time, we do recognize that this is a reality of the days that we live in, but we believe that the ones who stay are going to be treated to an outstanding talk.” One perspective graduate said the message is more about supporting each other than a protest. “Today, in our practice, they talked about what it looks like to love each other in that moment,” said Taylor Senior Avery Amstutz. “For those people, they have their opinions, and as a school, we’re going to respect them and we’re going to allow them to walk out. We’re going to make room for them to walk out while we sit in our seats, and then we’re going to make room for them to walk back in so it’s just all about loving each other as a family.” Commencement begins at 10:00 Saturday morning. WANE 15 will have a crew there for a live report on First News Saturday.<doc-sep>After an unexpected public backlash when Vice President Pence was tapped as commencement speaker, a Taylor University student started an "I Like Mike" campaign to show the overwhelming majority at the small Christian college in rural Indiana support the state's former governor. David Muselman, 20, a freshman finance major from Berne, told Fox News he started the campaign because he couldn't believe the backlash after the university announced Pence would be speaking at its May 18 commencement. LIBERAL STUDENT ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING PRO-LIFER ON UNC CAMPUS, TRIGGERED BY IMAGES OF ABORTED CHILDREN Some upset students and alumni launched a petition to have Pence's invitation rescinded, saying they felt "personally attacked" and were "physically shaking." Critics said students would "feel unsafe at their own graduation." The backlash received national headlines. "My whole motive behind selling these 'I Like Mike' T-shirts was to tell the world that a huge majority of campus was thrilled at Taylor's decision," Muselman said. "The silent majority is in full-fledged support, while a very, very small minority is not supportive." THE UNIVERSITY KILLED THE BIBLE. IT'S NOW 'THE STUPIDEST PLACE IN AMERICA:' DENNIS PRAGER Paul Lowell Haines, the president of Taylor, praised the vice president as a "good friend to the university over many years," and "a Christian brother whose life and values have exemplified what we strive to instill in our graduates.” ATTACK ON BIBLE DISPLAY 'LATEST IN A DISTURBING TREND TO DISHONOR VETERANS': FIRST LIBERTY The university stands by its decision to feature Pence as its graduation speaker. "Since making the announcement of Vice President Mike Pence's upcoming commencement speech, we have received feedback from people on either side of the issue," said Taylor University spokesman James Garringer. "Taylor University is an intentional Christian community that strives to encourage positive, respectful and meaningful dialogue." Muselman said he quickly sold out of T-shirts, which the students wore to chapel on May 3 and many said they plan to wear them a few more times before Pence's speech later this month. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "After wearing my shirt, people from all over campus - students, faculty, maintenance employees, etc. - have all said they love it and are in support of Vice President Pence," Muselman added. "Taylor likes Mike!"<doc-sep>“I didn’t know how much a commencement speaker would matter to me until today. I was excited for graduation, since neither of my parents have a degree. Today I sat in my car and imagined my Puerto Rican family having to sit and listen to a man who is a part of an administration that doesn’t care for our people,” she wrote. “’ His life and values shown through the administration he is a part of has lacked love, compassion, and understanding. If he speaks I hope my family knows I have not lost my values while being here at Taylor.”<doc-sep>
Vice President Mike Pence drew unexpected controversy when he was invited to speak at Taylor University, a small Christian school in rural Indiana. Some upset students and alumni launched a petition to have his invitation rescinded, saying they felt "personally attacked" and were "physically shaking," predicting that students will "feel unsafe at their own graduation." STUDENTS, ALUMNI OUTRAGED, 'SHAKING' AFTER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE INVITED TO GIVE COMMENCEMENT But Peter Wurster, a Taylor University student and CampusReform.org correspondent, told "Fox & Friends" Wednesday he is excited for Pence to be speaking at his school and hopes it unifies the campus, instead of further division. "I was really excited about hearing the news," said Wurster, whose older sister is graduating in May. CALIFORNIA EDUCATOR WARNS OF 'FAR-LEFT' AGENDA BEING PUSHED ON KIDS IN CLASSROOM "Places like Taylor and at other universities have become places where it's hard to speak up about these issues," Wurster added. "I really hope that through this situation we can open a good, meaningful conversation with one another. That we can listen, hear each other out through all of this." 'THE CHOSEN' $10M CROWDFUNDED SHOW OUT NOW: 'EXPERIENCE JESUS IN A WAY THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE' Paul Lowell Haines, the president of Taylor, praised the vice president as a "good friend to the University over many years," and "a Christian brother whose life and values have exemplified what we strive to instill in our graduates.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Taylor University spokesman James Garringer said in a statement, "Since making the announcement of Vice President Mike Pence's upcoming commencement speech, we have received feedback from people on either side of the issue. Taylor University is an intentional Christian community that strives to encourage positive, respectful and meaningful dialogue. "We look forward to hosting the Vice President next month."