2008 Woodie Awards
Graduates face the future after hearing words of encouragement, inspiration
Michelle Caffrey
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
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They're done. More than 500 Drew University candidates for graduation received their diplomas on May 17 in a ceremony that featured students from the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, the Theological School, and the College of Liberal Arts.
The bright sky was cloudless as the graduates proceeded down the path toward the back lawn of Mead Hall at 10:30 a.m. Faculty members in full regalia led the procession, while friends and family lined the paths to cheer or photograph students.
Dean of the Theological School Maxine Beach gave the invocation, encouraging the graduates, who she said were now "placed before the mystery of life."
President Bob Weisbuch formally welcomed the sea of people, and addressed the graduates. "I hope you are and are not ready to leave," Weisbuch said, stressing the importance of embracing the past while not being afraid to move forward. "We celebrate you. And as you move on, endure some advice from elders. Never stop, settle, negate or neglect," he said. Weisbuch advised graduates to "not do anything you're not passionate about." He also discussed the importance of maintaining the college friendships forged in the Forest during the graduates' time here.
After telling the students to "make us proud," he introduced keynote speaker Mayor of Newark Cory Booker, a politician whose commitment to social activism earned him wide-spread recognition. Booker shared with the audience experiences that shaped and inspired him. One involved a little boy at a camp Booker worked at, who in an attempt to raise his hand higher than a group of older kids, the small child attempted to run toward the roof. Booker, at first thinking there was no way for the child to beat the older kids, used the story as a representation of what the graduates should do-have a vision of who they are and strive for things that, at first, might appear unreachable.
"I am asking you to have impossible delusional visions of America," he said. "We have a desperate need for change. We are a planet in peril."
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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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