MTV College Network: Robert Gates Is Man Of The Year

NEW YORK — Sorry Justin Bieber, but college students aren't your audience.

MTV's college network, mtvU, has crowned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as its "Man of the Year."

Gates was given the honor because he "became a role model for public service, proving that it's possible to work within an institution to impart change," mtvU said in a statement Wednesday.

The network also commended the 67-year-old Republican for his focus on the youth, gender bias and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Rapper Nicki Minaj was named "Woman of the Year" for outdoing her male counterparts in the rap field and "calling for an end to homophobia in hip hop."

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Online:

http://www.manoftheyear.mtvu.com

http://www.womanoftheyear.mtvu.com

Comments

[Clevelandinwi]

06:15 PM on 12/22/2010

I heard an argument a while back that to follow D. Rumsfelt in a job guranteed success. I differ completely - Robert Gates would have been a success at DOD under any circumstances because he is truly a 'thinking' man. There are not that many around today.

[george6090]

05:19 PM on 12/22/2010

The fact that they did NOT vote for a Pop Star, Hip-Hop artist, a sports figure, a faux celebrity like Paris or Kardasian is at least comforting.
At least he is trying to move forward with the Military in the repeal of DADT. He is not perfect and has been given a job that I for one would not want. He has conducted himself with dignity and class and respect. Most of these are in short supply right now.
At least the younger voters in this poll saw something in a person who is outside their normal viewing. It says something for this generation.
Not sure what people 65+ would have come up with.

[pottedferne]

05:14 PM on 12/22/2010

Sec Def Gates has served this country unfailingly through two different administrations and deserves to be admired.

[Jared Allaway]

04:01 PM on 12/22/2010

Who is Nicki Minaj? What an embarassment for MTVu. Nicki Minaj is a nobody. Way to waste brain space with info about Celebrities.

[CharlesBrown008]

03:50 PM on 12/22/2010

If the kids say war is ok, there would be less guilt for us when we give them the bill.

[satanlite]

03:44 PM on 12/22/2010

Makes you curious about MTVU demographics.

[ClarcKing]

03:42 PM on 12/22/2010

What are they teaching in college? Is Perpetual War acceptable policy? Seven Year Wars ruined Europe, it will ruin the US.

[kenhamlett]

03:34 PM on 12/22/2010

The architect of escalation is now a role model for college students? How sad that is.

[satanlite]

03:43 PM on 12/22/2010

Gawd that was my immediate take on it to.

[monmouth]

05:02 PM on 12/22/2010

I wonder how they would feel if the draft came back....

[scat]

03:29 PM on 12/22/2010

thus proving that a college education is utterly useless if MTVU represents their actual beliefs.

[nowpolitics]

03:29 PM on 12/22/2010

It is a well-deserved honor. He really should be given the kudos for this repeal effort.

[LFCeline]

03:14 PM on 12/22/2010

How fitting....MTVu, whatever on earth that is...names the department of defence head as person of the year...just bizarre...long live the revolution, right?

[DavidMG]

03:09 PM on 12/22/2010

I have no love of warmakers and know nothing about MTVu, but I applaud the independent thinking here. What we need is statesmen - people who know that governing is more than winning - it is serving. We are in short supply of such people and it shows in our current situation. As McConnell said the Repubs will put all their energy into defeating Obama. That's politics, but the best way to do that is to serve the people..

[kauthon]

03:09 PM on 12/22/2010

I say bravo. Don't be a hater. Gates is a great role model for showing students that you can either be defined by your office or that can transform an institution that you would can sit on top of proudly.

[Dan Stewart]

02:34 PM on 12/22/2010

It defies credulity.

[Marc Phillips]

02:21 PM on 12/22/2010

Oy vey...since when does the mtvU have a say about role models?

[kapalabhati]

02:44 PM on 12/22/2010

Since they picked one who fairly worthy? Robert Gates's stance on DADT sets him apart from many.His agreement to stay on as SoD when he couild be teaching or running a think tank for ten times what he's earning says much about his integrity.

It could be worse: It COULD have been Justin Beiber. I give the MTVu respondents props for keeping their eyes open.

[SirCoolBreeze]

08:15 PM on 12/22/2010

Leave The Bieb A-LOOOOOONE! You, you, you Bieba Hata! (just kidding.) :-)

[kapalabhati]

02:45 PM on 12/22/2010

Please forgive my typo: "Since they picked one who IS fairly worthy."