Scarlett Minnie was among those eagerly waiting in line to get inside the university’s basketball arena. The Miami freshman, studying interdisciplinary business management, said the spiritual leader’s visit to Oxford will boost Miami’s reputation worldwide.
“It increases our global image and a large percentage of Miami students study abroad,” Minnie said.
Minnie, who’s writing a paper on the Dalai Lama’s speech, said she would have attended his talk regardless of class requirements. “People are excited about this; I have friends from College of Mount St. Joseph (in Cincinnati) coming,” she said.
Freshman Qi Shen, a business major from Shaoxing, a city in the northeast Chinese province Zhejiang, was hoping to hear comments about China’s government.
“There are a lot of Chinese people that don’t want him to come here, but everyone has a right to speak,” Shen said.
The university said in excess of 10,000 people, nearly all of them students who paid $5 apiece, packed Millett Hall for the afternoon lecture. Some scalpers were outside the venue close to the end of multiple long lines, which moved quickly into the arena, where visitors passed through a metal scanner and had the chance to purchase food, candy and drinks as they waited.
“We are just immensely excited,” said former Miami University President Phillip Shriver. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Freshman Luke Larkin said the talk was more than what he expected it to be.
“Just to be in his presence was mind-blowing. ... It’s incredible to have this kind of opportunity as a first-year (student) in a college.”
“Peace, compassion, acceptance — I think that speaks to everyone,” said Miami sophomore Charlotte Freeman.
Miami spokeswoman Claire Wagner said the university does not yet know the financial outcome of the event, but said Miami cannot make any money on the lecture. The Dalai Lama did not receive any money for his appearance, but the university did incur costs for security, staging and other expenses. Miami will submit a final accounting statement to the Dalai Lama’s office and any revenue will be donated to charity, she said.
Staff Writers Meagan Engle
and Kaitlin Schroeder
contributed to this report.
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