Smiles and tears. Pride and nerves. At Willamette University’s commencement ceremonies on May 13, 2018, graduating students and their families experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Members of the class of 2018 celebrated the culmination of years of hard work and looked forward with excitement and some trepidation to new career and life adventures. Yet they also bid a bittersweet farewell to their alma mater, professors and friends.
At the three commencement ceremonies for the individual colleges, speakers offered words of advice and encouragement, often referencing Willamette’s motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”
Be open to possibilities
After the university conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree, Thomas Lauderdale, musician and founder of the Portland-based “little orchestra” Pink Martini, gave the College of Liberal Arts commencement speech. Reminiscing about how his life and career took unexpected yet fulfilling directions, he urged students to “pay attention to the clues that the universe is giving and be open to the unknown future.”
Often, he said, people today share their opinions “loudly or self-righteously.” “Stand up for things you believe in, especially when it’s difficult,” he said, “but learn to compromise. Spend time with people who think differently to you — without letting your conversation devolve into argument.”
Overcome adversity
Speaking at the commencement ceremony during the College of Law’s 135th year, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Lynn Nakamoto told graduates, “Adversity happens — a lot, and often in volume.”
She offered three pieces of wisdom to help the new law graduates weather such challenges. Firstly, she said, “Be true to yourself and the passions that motivate you.” She also relayed a quote from former Apple CEO Steve Jobs: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
Her second piece of advice was simple: Persevere. “Win, lose or draw, embrace every valuable learning experience,” she said. “How you deal with adversity will determine how you feel about yourself, your career and your life.”
Finally, she advised graduates to avoid legal shadows and “always do the right thing for the right reason.”
Choose community
Former Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski served as Atkinson Graduate School of Management’s commencement speaker. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and the Glenn L. Jackson Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have promoted entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships in Oregon.
Kulongoski reminded graduates of the importance of making civic responsibility a lifelong goal, regardless of the career sector they choose. “Your engagement, your leadership at the local level will help resolve community problems,” he said. “Resolving those problems enhances not only your community’s life, but also your own.”
Similarly, Hazel Patton, a community leader, activist and historic preservationist who received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree at the College of Liberal Arts commencement, urged students to make time in their lives to volunteer.
Honoring faculty
At its commencement ceremony, AGSM honored the service of Dean Debra Ringold, who is returning to the faculty. She received the designation of emeritus dean from the Board of Trustees. As graduates crossed the stage to receive their MBAs, many offered her enthusiastic handshakes and bear hugs as thanks her for her leadership and commitment to students.
The university also conferred emeritus diplomas on four retiring College of Liberal Arts faculty members: Mark Janeba, associate professor of math, after 32 years of service; Ronald Loftus, professor of Japanese language and East Asian history, after 35 years of service; Genevieve Orr, professor of computer science, after 23 years of service; and Barbara Stebbins-Boaz, associate professor of biology, after 20 years of service.
Celebrating Bearcats
In the days leading up to commencement, various groups on campus celebrated the achievements of the soon-to-be graduates. At the Honors and Awards in Bearcat Excellence luncheon, the university recognized more than 30 students for their positive contributions to the Willamette community.
At the Distinguished Senior Awards luncheon the Friday before commencement weekend, the university presented the Senior Keys and Senior Certificates to outstanding members of the senior class who provided meritorious service to the student government and the student body. Recipients were selected based on their time and effort spent in the name of Willamette University, the diversity of their activities and their impact on other students. The recipients of the Keys, the highest awards, received medallions to wear at commencement.
Friday evening saw the Black and Brown Joy event, a celebration of graduating seniors of color. Initiated by students in 2017, this year it was organized by Willamette’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. At a reception held at Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 32 graduating seniors joined with their families and friends, as well as Willamette faculty members and staff.
Students took the opportunity of an open mic to thank friends and mentors for providing a warm and supportive environment. Along those lines, VP of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Jade Aguilar offered a piece of advice for the graduating seniors as they headed into the world: “Find your people — it’s the difference between surviving and thriving. And be there for one another.”
The Class of 2018
Degrees conferred:
- College of Liberal Arts — 395 Bachelor of Arts and three Bachelor of Music degrees.
- College of Law — 72 Doctor of Jurisprudence, eight Master of Laws, one Master of Legal Studies.
- Atkinson Graduate School of Management — 59 Master of Business Administration for Business, Government and Not-for-Profit Management. 59 Master of Business Administration were awarded in August 2017 and January 2018 to students in the MBA for Professionals program.
- Of the Master of Business Administration for Business, Government and Not-for-Profit Management, a number were dual degrees — 13 BA/MBA and 1 JD/MBA.
