Graduation
By Dani Tifft
 May
2004 - Spring has arrived and, for graduating college seniors, it
comes with the thrill of new beginnings. For some, this excitement is
combined with the fear of moving out into the “real world.”
For others, graduation is a stepping stone as they continue to avoid the
9-to-5 world by enrolling in grad school.
Students and colleges alike are preparing for the big day and for everyone
involved it promises to be a great celebration of friendship, hard work
and achievement.
Assumption College has planned its big day for the morning
of May 14 on the H.L. Rocheleau baseball field. The commencement ceremony
will be presented in part by guest speaker Rev. Richard John Neuhaus,
President of the Institute on Religion and Public Life. He is receiving
an honorary degree from the college for his widespread public activism
on behalf of justice and civil rights. An award will also be presented
to Assumption alum Michael Ritchie, former producer of the famous Williamstown
Theater Festival. This will be Assumption’s 88th commencement ceremony,
sending a large class of eager young minds out into the working world.
This year marks
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s 137th commencement
ceremony. Ray Kurzweil, noted as being a “worldrenowned inventor,
entrepreneur, author, and futurist,” will be speaking at the event
– a fitting selection for an institute that prides itself on producing
students that are “true technological humanists.” WPI has
scheduled their presentation for May 21. It is an especially remarkable
year for the school as they will also be inaugurating a new president;
Dennis Berkey will take the reigns on Friday, May 20, just prior to the
Baccalaureate Ceremony that evening.
Clark University will toast their seniors goodbye on
Sunday, May 22. Speaker David Broder of The Washington Post is a distinguished
commentator, columnist, and political/ national correspondent. In fact,
according to author and columnist Richard Reeves, he is “…probably
the most respected and influential political journalist in the country.”
The school will also present honorary degrees to E.O.Wilson, respected
as the “father of biodiversity,” and to Sam Bass Warner and
Mary Walsh, who changed the way in which we see urban development and
urban education.
Holy Cross will host the most recognizable graduation
speaker. On the morning of May 27, Tim Russert of NBC’s “Meet
the Press” will deliver the commencement address. Senior and valedictorian
Mary Beth Ryan speaks for the class when she says that he is a great choice.
“A lot of seniors are really psyched to have him!” After all,
he is said to have ‘interviewed nearly every major figure on the
American political scene.’” Ryan sums up the graduating senior
predicament well. “I can’t believe how fast these four years
have gone by and right now I’m just trying to enjoy the time I have
left. But I think I’m ready for a change in lifestyle.”
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