COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
One Hundred Sixty-Fith Year
Members of the Board of Trustees, class of 2004, members of the faculty
and honored guests, I welcome you to these commencement exercises in
the 165th year of Greensboro College. Today we re-enact a ritual that
has its roots in Medieval Europe, and though it is steeped in ancient
tradition, it is filled with the excitement of proud new achievement, a
touch of sentiment, and the satisfaction of accomplishment.
During your years at Greensboro College many of us
fell victim to the Adkins diet; unfortunately others who should have,
did not. Like carbohydrates, we learned that terrorism touches every
aspect of American life, and with it a new vocabulary came to campus
with frequent references to “Ground Zero,” “Baghdad Bob,” and reporters
“embedded” with troops.
Last year at these exercises I announced that the College had put
lights in windows of the Welcome Center and tied yellow ribbons on the
flag pole in tribute to our students who had been deployed to Iraq and
Kuwait. Last week we took down those ribbons on the flagpole and
extinguished the candles in the windows of Welcome Center, because our
students returned home safely.
The College survived low-hung baggies, low-rise skirts and more
midriffs and jockey labels than Atlantic City allows on the board walk.
We learned that thongs were not just flip flops. We learned to recycle
with a “Dumpster Dive.” The Terminator was elected Governor of
California and we endured invited and uninvited speakers and then
amplified our own speakers to the great alarm of the neighborhood. The
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has nothing on us.
Yours was the class that initiated those wonderful, full-service “Pride
Cards” and key fobs along with a marching band and Middle College.
Since you have been here, the bar across the street changed names three
times, and The Stu changed names and locations three times. You added
“online” to your list of instructors along with a new breed of hybrid
courses. We celebrated loudly with 3 NCAA teams, 3 Conference
championships, 4 rookies of the year and 2 players of the year. We have
proclaimed the accomplishments of the class of 2004 on performance
stages, in 16 athletic venues and throughout an expanding Village 401.
Class of 2004, you have done more than your share in setting records of
which we are all proud. We welcome you who visit with us to honor the
achievements of the class of 2004.
Special Recognitions
During Commencement exercises we recognize the
achievements of the Class of 2004 and honor the long and effective
service of colleagues.
1. The Harold H. Hutson Award
honors our 11th President. This is the highest award attainable
by a traditional Greensboro College student. This year’s
recipient graduates with a 4.0 grade point average, a major in Math and
a minor in Communications. He is an outstanding scholar who represents
the highest ideals of the College and the highest form of servant
leadership. Selected as a Presidential Scholar, he completed all
the requirements of the George Center for Honor’s Studies and has been
on the dean’s list every semester. He has been selected to three
national honor societies; served as editor to the student newspaper as
well as the literary magazine; was a member of the Cross Country Team
and served in leadership roles throughout campus life. With the goal of
pursuing a career in higher education, he was accepted to some of the
most selective institutions in the country. I am pleased to announce
that he will begin graduate studies at North Carolina State University
this fall. The 2004 Harold H. Hudson award winner, Mark Kevin Eagan.
2. The Moore Professorship was
made possible by the late Annie Elizabeth Moore of Pittsboro, N.C., a
member of the class of 1927. This annual professorship is one of
Greensboro College’s most prestigious means of recognizing exceptional
classroom and scholarly achievement.
Students consistently praise this recipient for effective
teaching, passion and devotion to subject. Commitment to students
is keenly demonstrated by innovative teaching techniques and
enthusiastic classroom presentations. Many former students have been
recognized as exceptional classroom teachers.
The 2004-2005 Moore Professor holds degrees from Appalachian State
University and the University of Nebraska. During her 17 years on the
faculty she has served as Director of Teacher Education; a member of
our Graduate Council, Divisional Representative to the Faculty Affairs
Committee, a member of the Teacher Education Committee and many other
committees. She serves her profession in a variety of ways, including
the presentation of workshops for elementary school teachers on such
topics as “Best Practices in Reading,” “Children’s Literature” and
“Puppetry.” An avid student of theatre, she has performed in many
collegiate and community productions.
Dr. Debra Maness Cates played an instrumental role
in the development of the Master of Education and the A-Plus graduate
programs as well as the PALS-Plus program. She has served on many
accreditation teams for the State Department of Public Instruction and
is active in the North Carolina Association of Teacher Educators and
Kappa Delta Pi, the national honorary society in education.
We are pleased that Dr. Cates’ children, Evans, Anna and Emily, and her
sister Kay and her husband, Harry Krouse, could be with us today. I
invite them to stand as Dr. Deborah Cates comes forward. Greensboro
College recognizes the esteem and appreciation with which you are
regarded as symbolized by the 2004-2005 Moore Professor Award,
presented to you May 9, 2004.
Conferring of Honorary Degree
There is nothing more precious to a college than academic credit, and
it is awarded only to those who attain the highest levels of
achievement. When a sufficient amount of credits are accumulated,
representing significant accomplishments, a degree may be conferred.
The very highest academic degree is a doctorate, so in a very real
sense, the highest honor any college, can bestow is the Doctorate. This
degree is stubbornly protected and is bestowed only on those most
distinguished individuals whose lives and careers place them in the
forefront of their respective fields. Today Greensboro College
recognizes two such an individuals.
I will ask Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ben Judkins, and
Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Tiffany McKillip Franks, to
present to Greensboro College Ms.
Candace McAulay Lambeth Kime.
Her professional name is Candace Flynt. And her talents have taken her
to the very top of literary circles. It began in the newsroom of
“Greensboro Daily News and Record.” Even as a reporter she won prizes
for her column and feature writing. After 4 years she turned to
her real love, writing fiction, and the awards and recognition
accelerated. Her work has appeared in “The Greensboro Review,” the
“Carolina Review” as well as “The Atlantic Monthly” and “Redbook.” She
has led writing workshops, lectured, reviewed books and been a
writer-in-residence at various high schools, colleges and universities,
including Duke University, Davidson, UNC and, of course, Greensboro
College.
Her first novel, Chasing Dad, was published in 1980. It was named one
of the best novels of the year by “The Washington Post,” “The Los
Angeles Times,” and the New York Times.” In 1990, “USA Today” named it
one of the best novels of the past decade.
Her second novel, Sins of Omission, was published in 1984 by Random
House. It was also published in Great Britain and in France.
Her third novel, Mother Love, was published in 1987. Again, “The
Washington Post” and “The New York Times” named it one of the best
novels of the year. It later was published in England and Sweden.
Now she is working on novels number 4 and 5 and is learning to write
plays. One of her short stories has been adapted for the stage by a
nationally known playwright. Another short play was presented at The
College of Charleston and directed by her own son.
Candace MacAuley Lambeth Kime was Valedictorian of her Thomasville High
School class, she graduated “cum laude” from Greensboro College and
earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from UNCG. She has been a Trustee
of Greensboro College since 1984. With her here today are her husband,
John Franklin Kime, and her family. I will ask them to stand as we make
this presentation.
It is with considerable pride that I have the privilege of acting with
the authority of the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of Greensboro
College in bestowing the Degree Doctor of Literature upon Candace McAulay Lambeth Kime.
And now, Dr. Judkins and Dr. Franks will present to Greensboro College Mr. Alfred W. Bohanan.
It is not often that people without college degrees stand on these
bricks in full academic regalia, especially during commencement
exercises. But then it is not often that we have the privilege of
recognizing a person who has demonstrated so clearly what it means to
be an instrument of God’s love for others. Al Bohanan is a person who
with God’s help has devoted his life to the service of others. Perhaps
even Robert Greenleaf would acknowledge this person to be the epitome
of “Servant Leadership.” He rarely counts success in terms of numbers.
For him it is always the quality of service his company, his church,
his college or his volunteer causes could render. He is a gentle soul,
kind, and tender. Not only does he exude those characteristics, his
example causes others to act the same. Al Bohanan has a serene
appearance and an elegant style that belie his inner core of unusual
strength.
One person has described him as the prototypical “self-made
man.” He continues: “He did not have the opportunity of a college
education. Yet he is beyond doubt the smartest and most accomplished
person I know.” Though he did not go to college himself, he has paid
the bills for many young people to attend. His service to his church,
the Salvation Army, the Literacy Council, Habitat for Humanity, the
Methodist Home and his own local school board is exemplary in every
way. He faithfully serves Greensboro College now as a member of the
Board of Trustees. Al Bohanan is married to Carolyn and they have 3
grown children all of whom are with us today. I will ask them to stand
along with Carolyn as we make this presentation.
It is with considerable pride that I have the privilege of acting with
the authority of the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of Greensboro
College in bestowing the Degree Doctor of Humane Letters to Alfred W. Bohanan.
Presentation of Candidates for
Baccalaureate Degrees
I now recognize Dr. Bennett Judkins to present the
candidates for degrees.
Presentation of Diplomas
Conferring of the Baccalaureate
Degrees
Will the candidates for degrees please rise. Acting upon the
recommendation of the faculty and with the power invested in me by the
Board of Trustees as President of Greensboro College, I hereby bestow
the Bachelor of Arts Degrees, the Bachelor of Science Degrees and the
Master of Arts degrees respectively, with all the rights, privileges
and responsibilities appertaining thereto.
(Be
Seated)
Git‘er done!”
But wait. You are not ready to “Bounce!” yet. Listen,
I can hear “old Blue Eyes” crooning, “And
now, the end is near; and so you face the final curtain.”
Actually, this is not the final curtain. Don’t be “punk’d.” Your
curtain is just now rising. All that has gone before has been
preparation, “prologue,” dress rehearsal. Graduation is not a
face-lifting operation. If you had narrow shoulders and unruly hair
before you put on that academic regalia, you will notice the identical
narrow shoulders and unruly hair when you take off your regalia. If you
cared supremely for your car or your muscles, your stunning good looks
or your incomparable brains before you put on the cap and gown, you
will find that you still care supremely for your car, your muscles,
your stunning good looks and your incomparable brains when you take off
the cap and gown.
The only difference is that you can no longer hide your emerging
character behind the impenetrable mystery known as the “teenage”
subculture, or “free-spirited college student.” From now on it is your
fault. Whatever calamity strikes this nation, it’s your fault.
Whatever evil emanates from the younger generation, which you have now
left, it’s your fault! Farewell to days of innocent adolescence! How
does it feel to be a member of the establishment, a full-fledged member
of the system? As in the childhood game of tag, you are it.
The biggest difference you will notice tomorrow morning when life
hands you your script is that you will have to know your own stage
blocking; you will have to make up the choreography as you go along and
you will have to be alert for the cues others will give you. No one
will stop the action so you can catch up; no one will excuse your late
arrival or overlook your forgotten lines. It’s a lifetime of
improvisation.
I trust, with all that I hold sacred, that this faculty has prepared
you for those unexpected dropped cues and inappropriate upstaging from
others who will walk on your lines. To paraphrase our friend,
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances, and a person in time plays
many parts….” I am confident that with the skills you have developed
here, your life will turn out “As you like it.”
But let’s leave the Swan of Avon, and return to “Old Blue Eyes: “You’ve lived a life that’s full, you’ve
traveled each and every highway.” A quick review of your
activities and accomplishments indicates how very full your life here
has been. But that should not surprise you. Were he still living
Theodore Geisel, “Dr. Seuss,” would be 100 years old this year. There
is a reason he is referred to as “a titan of the 20th century, the
children’s author supreme.” He told each of you countless times,
“You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join
the high fliers who soar to high heights.”
“Yes, there were times, I’m sure you
knew, when you bit off more than you could chew.” Again you were
warned by the good Doctor, “I’m sorry to say so, but, sadly, it’s true
that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.” es, you remember, the
early morning construction workers at The Inn; you remember the noisy
lawn mowers outside your classrooms; icy sidewalks and slippery steps.
But as Bishop Earnest Fitzgerald said to the graduating class of 1993,
standing on these same bricks you have walked, “Don’t worry little
children, I’ve seen the answers in the back of the book, and we are
going to win.” t was the Bishop’s unique way of reminding us all
that no matter what life throws at us, God is ultimately in charge and
ultimately cares dearly for each of us.
“You’ve loved, you’ve laughed and
cried, you’ve had your fill, your share of losing.”
Hopefully, you have heard for the last time, “You’re Fired!” So you’ve
had your share of losing, but you have also had more than your share of
winning. Maybe Don Quixote was right about that golden helmet of
Mambrino, “when worn by one of noble heart, it renders him invulnerable
to all wounds.” You brought life to the Royce Reynolds Family Student
Life Center. Your athletes took our colleges higher in the ranks of the
President’s Cup than any other class in history. You got your
additional parking spaces, more intramural activities and more control
of your residence halls as well as more recreational computers.You got
your $25.00 declining balance for purchases at Katie and Roy’s. You got
your Greek Life along with interest from a national panhellenic
organization. You got your alternative residence hall. Hey, you even
got your live petting zoo!
“But the record shows you took the
blows, and did it your way!” And today you get a beautiful,
though hot day to “walk the bricks” on front campus one more time. To
paraphrase Don Quixote’s signature song, “And the world will be better
for this: that a whole class though sometimes covered with scars, still
strove, with its last ounce of courage, to reach…unreachable stars.”
And that is tight! Real tight! Now you are ready to bounce!
-------------------
A former President of Greensboro College was fond of saying on
many occasions, “nothing but the best for Greensboro College.” Thanks
to you and to the many friends of this College, we take another step
toward realizing that goal: “Nothing but the best for Greensboro
College!”
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your
back,
May the sun shine warm upon your
face,
The rains fall soft upon your
fields,
And until we meet again, may God
hold you in the palm of his hand.
*The College Alma Mater
*Benediction
Dr. Alan
Sasser
*Recessional
Craven E. Williams
President
Greensboro College
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