Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement: May 17, 2009
Clark University’s 104th Commencement found graduates and their families watching the skies, pleased that predicted heavy rains had held off. During the ceremony on Sunday, May 17, degrees were granted to 928 Clark graduates: 537 baccalaureate, 359 masters, and 32 doctoral.
Before the procession, many members of the Class of 2009 added green ribbons to their robes to indicate they had signed the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility. They promised to “explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job they consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organization for which they work."
Steven A. Minter, an Executive-in-Residence and a Fellow in the Center for Nonprofit Policy & Practice at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, delivered the Commencement address.
Mr. Minter, the oldest of eight children, was the first of his family to graduate from college. He said his was the only black family in the township where he lived as a child. Mr. Minter shared with the graduates his story—which included a number of firsts—about obstacles overcome and doors that opened to him and other African-Americans.
From 1984-2003, Mr. Minter served as president and executive director of The Cleveland Foundation, a public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Greater Cleveland and the original and second-largest community foundation in the nation. Under his direction, the Cleveland Foundation became the first non-coastal community foundation to make AIDS grants. Mr. Minter led the Foundation's efforts to extend services for donors, expand donor outreach efforts to the African-American community, improve Cleveland’s public schools and systematically revitalize Cleveland's neighborhoods and lakefront.
One of three themes in Mr. Minter’s speech was that “unanticipated consequences may bring unexpected opportunities.” He recalled several twists of fate in his career path that led him to unexpected opportunities to break through old barriers.
“Many of you may encounter unanticipated challenges and opportunities ahead,” he said. “Be open.”
Another of Mr. Minter’s themes was that “central cities and their neighborhoods are once again becoming places of choice.”
“Here in Worcester, evidence of this long-term but dramatic shift in the future of cities exists all around Clark’s campus,” said Mr. Minter. “This university is a leader in public/private partnerships in economic development, education and workforce development. Main Street is being redeveloped. Disadvantaged students are excelling in the University Park Campus School and going to college. The neighborhood is being restored. To use a Wall Street Journal term, Clark is nurturing ‘green shoots.’ ”
Lastly, Mr. Minter told the grads that “persistence, resilience and passion pay dividends,” and, in doing so, he recalled a quote by African-American scholar, author, editor and reformer W.E.B. DuBois, who said, “I have loved my work. I have loved people and my play, but always I have been uplifted by the thought that what I have done well will live long and justify my life.”
“That’s what I wish for you,” Mr. Minter said in closing.
Mr. Minter received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, presented by James R. Gomes, director of the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise at Clark, and conferred by President Bassett.
Ms. Nora K. Feely, of St. Louis, gave the Senior Address, describing Clark as a place that encourages idealism.
Ms. Feely praised faculty and administrative mentors who supported her decision to devote the first semester of her senior year to working for the Obama campaign. “No one thought it was impractical to drop my life to work for an underdog political candidate,” she said. “I received no lectures about responsibility, college loans, or staying on course. Instead, everyone told me that this was a once in a lifetime chance for me to make a difference, to get an experience, and to help push the human race and my country forward.”
“My friends who go to big schools don't really understand our quirky little school. They wonder what we do without game days, Greek life, or the ability to sing our fight song on command. But while our classmates may not know how to recruit people to a sorority, they do know how to recruit students to work at the University Park Campus [School] and participate in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program here in Worcester.”
Ms. Feely received her BA in English with a minor in Government. As an undergraduate, she was active in the Student Alumni Relations Committee (SARC) and was an award-winning member of Clark’s Mock Trial Team.
In closing the commencement, President John Bassett charged the graduates to follow their passions as they develop skills and knowledge; to change the world for the better; and to build and nurture relationships.
“I don’t need to remind you again, you enter a world crying out for solutions to crises in health care, education, environmental degradation, social justice, hunger,” President Bassett said. “You know that, even as you know that you have a life to live and a living to make. Keep your own health; keep your sense of humor; keep your fundamental values of fair play and decency.”
Other Honorary Degree recipients included Lois B. Green and David Ward.
Ms. Green is an independent consultant for a number of central Massachusetts nonprofit organizations and is a member of the University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty, serving as the Director of Geriatric Community Clerkship. She received a Masters in Public Administration degree at Clark in 1978.
Mr. Ward is former president of the American Council on Education (ACE), serving from 2001 to 2008.