2008 Woodie Awards
Graduates face the future after hearing words of encouragement, inspiration
Michelle Caffrey
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
Sharing the wisdom of people who inspired him-from Mahatma Gandhi to his grandfather-Booker urged the students to be original and "be who [they] were called to be."
"Bring your actions in line with your beliefs," he said. "The world is desperate for who you are." In the end he said, "Find your sweet, sacred path, and find a way to get to the roof."
Weisbuch then awarded Booker an honorary degree. Other recipients of an honorary degree were Joseph Blotner, who wrote a comprehensive biography of William Faulkner, Mary Sue Sweeney Price, director and CEO of the Newark Museum, and David Grant, president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
The Drew University Orchestra and Chorale then performed Conductor Garyth Nair's song, "It's a Great Day," before senior speaker Andrew Cronholm ('08) spoke to the audience. Cronholm, who was elected by his peers to give the address, focused his speech on self-awareness and the process of figuring out and accepting who you are in college. He compared his high-profile personality of "generally being obnoxious" to the dorky side of him that spent long hours in the library. Cronholm said, "That is who I am." He cited various moments at Drew, room selection, hangover mornings and heart-to-heart discussions with professors, as key elements in understanding yourself as a person. "I only hope that you had that experience and learned as much about yourself as you did your majors."
Charles McKay, a Doctor of Letters candidate, spoke on behalf of the Graduate and Theological schools. He used the idea of front porches-the topic of his dissertation-to describe the community ideals of older generations and the return to that ideal with the "texting generation."
"You've created a very public generation that has shocked us," he said about the baby boomer generation that retreated to "suburbia, segregated from each other." He said that those graduating today could change that. "Now texters, it's your turn to breath life into community. You must grab this change," he said.
Weisbuch then announced the recipient of the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching, which went to Associate Professor of Art History Peggy Kuntz.
Alumni-Elected Trustee of the College Alumni Association Fredrick Fuest (CLA '68), whose son was among the graduates, gave an alumni welcome and reminded students that "you're leaving Drew, but Drew will not be leaving you."
After a performance of the school anthem by the all-male a cappella group 36 Madison Avenue, Weisbuch led the conferral of degrees, with doctorate and masters candidates making their way toward the porch. More than 350 undergraduates then received their diplomas and became the last class to shake hands with Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Paolo Cucchi, who will step down to a faculty position next year. When Cucchi went to call the graduates up, he received a standing ovation and continuous rounds of applause. Wanting to turn the attention toward the students, he said, "This is your day."
"Bring your actions in line with your beliefs," he said. "The world is desperate for who you are." In the end he said, "Find your sweet, sacred path, and find a way to get to the roof."
Weisbuch then awarded Booker an honorary degree. Other recipients of an honorary degree were Joseph Blotner, who wrote a comprehensive biography of William Faulkner, Mary Sue Sweeney Price, director and CEO of the Newark Museum, and David Grant, president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
The Drew University Orchestra and Chorale then performed Conductor Garyth Nair's song, "It's a Great Day," before senior speaker Andrew Cronholm ('08) spoke to the audience. Cronholm, who was elected by his peers to give the address, focused his speech on self-awareness and the process of figuring out and accepting who you are in college. He compared his high-profile personality of "generally being obnoxious" to the dorky side of him that spent long hours in the library. Cronholm said, "That is who I am." He cited various moments at Drew, room selection, hangover mornings and heart-to-heart discussions with professors, as key elements in understanding yourself as a person. "I only hope that you had that experience and learned as much about yourself as you did your majors."
Charles McKay, a Doctor of Letters candidate, spoke on behalf of the Graduate and Theological schools. He used the idea of front porches-the topic of his dissertation-to describe the community ideals of older generations and the return to that ideal with the "texting generation."
"You've created a very public generation that has shocked us," he said about the baby boomer generation that retreated to "suburbia, segregated from each other." He said that those graduating today could change that. "Now texters, it's your turn to breath life into community. You must grab this change," he said.
Weisbuch then announced the recipient of the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching, which went to Associate Professor of Art History Peggy Kuntz.
Alumni-Elected Trustee of the College Alumni Association Fredrick Fuest (CLA '68), whose son was among the graduates, gave an alumni welcome and reminded students that "you're leaving Drew, but Drew will not be leaving you."
After a performance of the school anthem by the all-male a cappella group 36 Madison Avenue, Weisbuch led the conferral of degrees, with doctorate and masters candidates making their way toward the porch. More than 350 undergraduates then received their diplomas and became the last class to shake hands with Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Paolo Cucchi, who will step down to a faculty position next year. When Cucchi went to call the graduates up, he received a standing ovation and continuous rounds of applause. Wanting to turn the attention toward the students, he said, "This is your day."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Deborah P. Anderson
posted 5/30/08 @ 10:42 AM EST
Graduation Day was a splendid memory for me and my family. After a 30 yr hiatus from the formal educational world, and serving as a Registered Nurse in many different capacities during that time, I came to Drew in Fall 2004 to pursue a Master of Medical Humanities Degree. (Continued…)
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posted 11/24/08 @ 9:05 AM EST
I am really impressed with this line "not do anything you're not passionate about". When passion becomes profession it would become one of the most finest ways to live life on your own terms and conditions. (Continued…)
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