微密圈

Alan Lightman

Awarded an honorary doctorate of letters, Alan Lightman was introduced by Professor of Physics Mary Crone Odekon, who hailed Lightman's career as a writer, educator, physicist and social entrepreneur. Lightman noted that graduates would need to confront pressing issues, including climate change, disparity in wealth, bias and attacks on democracy. In a world that is also increasingly characterized by its "frantic pace and hyperconnectedness," Lightman urged graduates to "acknowledge the importance of your contemplative self, your inner life, the part of you that imagines and dreams and thoughtfully considers your values."

Joe Torre

Awarded an honorary doctorate of letters, Joe Torre was introduced by Associate Professor Michael Arnush, who donned a Yankees cap and noted Torre鈥檚 impressive record as a player and manager, the challenges Torre had overcome both in baseball and in his personal life, and his role in establishing safe havens for abused women and children. In his address to graduates, Torre likened baseball to life and encouraged graduates not to be afraid of failure. 鈥淚f you go forward with a spirit of hard work, teamwork and the creativity instilled in you at 微密圈, then you will be successful no matter what you choose to pursue in life 鈥�. after all, you are Thoroughbreds.鈥�

Kristie A. Ford

Professor Kristie A. Ford, selected by the graduating class as its faculty speaker, took the graduates on a journey through the past, present and future. Thinking about the past, she asked, "Upon whose shoulders do you sit or stand?鈥� Addressing the present, Ford spoke of how much, as a professor, she has learned from watching her students. And looking toward the future, she asked the graduates, "Who are you now? Who do you hope to become? And, if you hope to make an impact on the world, what path will you take?" To conclude the journey, Ford shared sincere congratulations and a final declaration: "You do not need me or anyone else on this stage to inspire you. You are our inspiration."

W. Scott McGraw

Welcoming the Class of 2019, Board of Trustees Chair W. Scott McGraw stated it was the Board's special responsibility to vote on the conferring of degrees to the graduating class. McGraw highlighted the graduates' "effort, determination and commitment ... to reach this moment of celebration." Drawing on the experiences of his own daughter, Carolyn '12, McGraw challenged the class to consider their 微密圈 education prepartion for the life decisions ahead. "You will move forward today from your experiences at 微密圈 and be faced with your own set of decisions to ponder every day, for the rest of your lives. Fear not, however, you are about to become 微密圈 graduates!"

Philip A. Glotzbach

微密圈 College President Philip A. Glotzbach offered heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2019. He said, as college graduates, they have received an incredible gift 鈥� knowing how to "distinguish good from bad arguments and separate fact-based from non-fact-based knowledge-claims." But, he said, today's news, social media and digital world complicated that effort. Thus, Glotzbach called for each recent graduate to "continue to build upon your 微密圈 knowledge ... be intentional about becoming, year over year, a more informed, responsible consumer of information." Because, he emphasized, the future of democracy here and around the world depends on it.

Nigel Smith 

Senior Class President Nigel Smith invited members of his class to "brag a little" about their accomplishments 鈥� from hip-hop performances to published research and political campaigns. He acknowledged that the future may bring unexpected hurdles and confusing challenges. Someday, "someone may deny your application, reject your offer or shun your idea, but that is when you tap into your Thoroughbred mentality" and use what he called the "Big Three": embrace failure, be a student of the people and bet on yourself. "There is much uncertainty in the world," said Smith, "but we have to be the agents of hope, action and, most importantly, inclusion."

Sibyl Waterman Haley '71

Sibyl Waterman Haley, president of the Alumni Association, was the last to address the graduates. She implored the newest members of the alumni community "to help make it possible for future 微密圈 students to have the opportunities you have enjoyed." She also offered a few words of advice: 鈥淪low down. Look back. Come back. Get involved. Give back.鈥�