 Cece Boyd, Beth Schneider and Jason Wagner admire their diplomas.  Edith Bostic addresses the graduates.  Michelle Minarcik and Emily Murrin celebrate after the ceremony.  Co-chairs Caroline Kalinoski and Beth Schneider present Dan Lewis with an award for outstanding professor. |
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School of Education and Social Policy alumna Edith Howard Bostic (BS74) addressed SESP graduates receiving degrees on June 16 at Cahn Auditorium. Bostic, a former teacher and active volunteer, received the 2007 Northwestern University Alumni Service Award. One hundred fifty-seven students received degrees from SESP in June. Sixty-five are graduate students, including four earning doctoral degrees. Of the 93 undergraduates graduating, fifteen graduated with honors. Bostic based the theme of her talk on the song chosen for her own Northwestern graduation, "Leaving on a Jet Plane." She asked the graduates, "Are your bags packed?" and recommended necessities for their journeys. These included walking shoes "for the twists and turns"; two pairs of glasses, one rose-colored; an alarm clock because "time is a nonrenewable resource"; a "personal compass"; a cell phone for keeping in touch with the people who shaped their lives; a calculator to "measure your life by the friends you keep"; carefully chosen books; music, "the salve for the soul"; seeds to sow; a passport for becoming internationally savvy; and their alter egos, "stronger, less inhibited" selves. "Your presence here lets me know you've made some good choices," Bostic commented as she encouraged the graduates to continue using wisdom in their chosen paths. "Even if you're not in the classroom … you are all teachers. Teach them well." To graduates heading for nonprofits, she advised, "Cherish your volunteers." To those headed for business, she admonished, "Remember your responsibility to share with those in need." For those entering law and medicine, she noted, "The lessons learned here will serve you well." "You can go anywhere and do anything," she pointed out. "A Northwestern degree is a distinction that will always follow you." She concluded by encouraging students to begin their adventures: "Make it an amazing ride. The journey awaits - now go pack your bags!" Remarks by Dean Penelope Peterson preceded Bostic's address. Inspired by the writings of author Anne Lamott, she urged the graduates to do two things: "Take care of each other and seek wonder." The student speaker at the ceremony, Avni Patel (BS07), challenged fellow graduates to take a dare. Her dare was to "step outside yourself" and "contribute something." She said, "Through passion, compassion we can affect the lives of others." Tracing the origin of SESP students' ability to care about others, she noted, "We care because we have learned to care about each other … and these relationships will help us succeed." Several awards were presented at Convocation, including awards for outstanding faculty members. Professor Dan Lewis received the award for outstanding full-time professor, and instructor Cindy Conlon received the award for outstanding adjunct faculty member. The student co-chairs of Convocation, Caroline Kalinoski (BS07) and Beth Schneider (BS07), presented the faculty awards. The SESP Alumni Board Leadership Award went to Sonia Hart (BS07), who has been a leader in the movement to have a Latino Studies department at Northwestern. Alumna Wendy Burek Locascio (MS99) presented the award. Mike Sacchet, who graduated with a 3.98 grade point average, won the award for having the highest average of the graduating seniors. Sacchet's plans are to teach in East Palo Alto, California, with Teach For America. Following the ceremony the graduates and their families attended a reception outside Deering Library. |
Photographs of the post-Convocation celebration are posted online for graduates.
Read the full text of Edith Bostic's Convocation speech.
Last Modified: 8/14/09