B.C. Controversy

I'm not certain this is a complete answer to Richard's question, but the Boston Globe article about the Mukasy decision includes the following explanation from Dean John Garvey:

Garvey said the decision to deny Mukasey the Founder's Medal predated the controversy over his choice as commencement speaker and was not directed at the attorney general personally.

In an effort to depoliticize the selection process, the school will no longer award the medal to commencement speakers, he said.

"This is a policy decision that will make it easier for us to invite people of his prominence in the future," Garvey said.

He said that inviting high-profile figures with well-known public views will invariably spur debate and that divorcing their selection from the school's highest honor will allow greater latitude in attracting noteworthy speakers.