UC Officials Apologize for ‘Patch’ Adams’ Speech
Officials at UC San Diego apologized Monday to students and guests at Sunday’s commencement who were offended that speaker Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams bared his buttocks briefly.
Adams, whose offbeat approach to medicine was celebrated in a 1998 movie starring Robin Williams, turned his back on the 4,000 persons in the crowd and pulled down his bright pants.
Joseph Watson, vice chancellor, called the incident “unfortunate.”
Adams, who operates a clinic in West Virginia, told the graduates not to get greedy and be sure to inject humor into their life.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
