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May 2005
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CAMPUS NEWS |
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Class of 2005 Departs with Advice from Top Names in Business, Media, and Congress The class of 2005
tossed their hats Sunday, May 8, as they revelled in achieving their
longtime goal of completing a college degree. Graduates, families, and
friends gathered in Bender Arena at the 119th commencement ceremonies
to recognize the Distinguished speakers from the fields of global media production, political journalism, and public service addressed the proud graduates and their families. President and CEO of Discovery Communications Judith McHale addressed Kogod School of Business and School of Communication graduates. McHale received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree and in her 10 years directing Discovery's development and operations, the company has grown from a single cable channel to become a wide-ranging international media and entertainment company that operates in more than 160 countries. "You are graduating at a remarkable moment for America and for the world. So much has happened over the past four years since you began your studies," said McHale, bringing news into perspetive for listeners. "Natural disasters have destroyed communities and claimed countless lives. Trust in our leading corporations has been shaken. Technology has become a great enabler, but also a formidable change agent...
"For those of you who have been here four years, you arrived in Washington to begin your college experience on August 27, 2001, just two weeks before our nation and this capital city experienced one of our greatest tragedies... You endured the fear and insecurity...the increased flights patrolling our skies...the threat of deadly anthrax. The new Homeland Security Department stands right across the street from where we sit today—a testament to the new era that we now have entered. You will be the first class whose entire college experience was impacted by that tragic day. Like your fellow classmates who are in the graduate programs, we have learned much about ourselves since then. We have learned about those in the world who wish us harm. We have learned about those who wish us well. We have learned about the power of our inner resolve, and the strength of our vibrant differences." McHale said that in spite of the differences, that those graduating learned one essential lesson: "that we need to be part of the world around us...that we need to be committed to helping one another...and that there is a value in engaging with the world and doing our part. This is true in our personal endeavors as well as in our professional and business lives."
Tim Russert spoke at the College of Arts and Sciences commencement and also received a distinguished honorary doctor of humane letters degree. The managing editor and moderator of NBC's Meet the Press, a political analyst for NBC Nightly News, and a senior vice president and Washington bureau chief at NBC News, Russert has interviewed nearly every major figure on the American political scene over the last 15 years. "You chose a school that was different, and you made the choice deliberately," said Russert. "The
education you received at American University isn’t meant to be the same you could have received at scores of colleges public or private, in this region or across the country. You’ve been given an education that says that it is not enough to have a skill, not enough to have read all the books or know all the facts, commitment and values really do matter... [AU's] only justification for existing is because it has a special mission…training young men and women to help shape and influence our nation, our world, our society. And that means you now have a special obligation and responsibility. You have been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and, yes, indeed to whom much is given, much is expected," he said.
School of International Service and School of Public Affairs graduates were privileged to hear Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who received the degree of honorary doctor of public service. Inouye is the third most senior member of the U.S. Senate. A World War II combat veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, he serves as the ranking democrat on the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, which strives to improve national security and the quality of life for military personnel. As a member of the Watergate Committee in the 1970s and as chair of the Iran-Contra Committee in 1987, Inouye twice drew national attention through his work probing major political controversies, though the bulk of his career has been dedicated to his fight for the interests of Hawaii’s people. Speaking about his background as a Hawaiian of Japanese descent whose parents were denied U.S. citizenship for many years, being a disabled war veteran, and America's history of being "impatient," Senator Inouye offered graduates remarks about democracy's evolving nature, and their role in it. "The philosophy of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights is not simply to grant the majority the power to rule, but it is also to set out limitation after limitation upon that power. For example, freedom of speech; freedom of press; freedom of religion…what are these, but the recognition that at times when the majority of men would willingly destroy him, a dissenting man may have no friend but the law. This power given to the minority is the most sophisticated and the most vital power bestowed by our Constitution," he said. Fifty-five years ago, in cap and gown, Inouye concluded that like most graduates, he waited for his diploma with much excitement, and much impatience. "I cannot remember the commencement speaker, nor can I remember his remarks, but like all of you I hoped that my future would be a challenging, exciting, and successful one. Well, I have had the blessings... So, as the good book would say, ‘my cup certainly runneth over!’ And, I hope you cups will run over too..." -Ashley Ferrell ’07, Melissa Reichley | ||||
