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Community and civility, two concepts that have helped propel American society, should remain foremost in the minds of BC’s Class of 2011 as the new graduates chart their courses through life, United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood told more than 3,700 students receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University’s 135th commencement exercises in Alumni Stadium
LaHood, who received an honorary Doctor of Public Administration degree, asked the graduates to pursue community and civility, which he argued have allowed the nation to persevere through good times and bad.
“As you depart Chestnut Hill this afternoon, bring your dedication to strong community and active civility as well,” LaHood said. “Take these values with you. They will hold you in good stead. You will do well by them. Carry these values into your lives and careers, into your neighborhoods and churches, into your small businesses or large firms, into your city halls or state capitals. Open your minds to deliberations, to give-and-take, to compromise. You’d be surprised just how often paths of common courtesy lead to unexpected places.”
Despite cloudy skies, the spirits of students receiving their diplomas were not dampened.
“It definitely feels great today,” Julian Yu, a political science major from Amherst, NH, said as he walked with his classmates down Linden Lane. “The service component was so important to my experience here. There is definitely a sense of community that is evidenced in our courses and in everything else we could experience as undergraduates.”
Christina Muli, of Nairobi, Kenya, a psychology major and pre-med student, said getting to know more about her classmates and the world at large through a range of activities and clubs was the highlight of her time at the Heights.
“I loved my four years here,” said Muli. “Apart from the education, I got to learn so much from my friends and fellow students by getting involved in programs and clubs and service activities. It all made this a great place to be.”
Caroline Winn, a finance and marketing major from Lexington, MA, said she would miss her friends the most. “I’m really going to miss the friends I’ve made here during the last four years. They’re like my family.”
University President William P. Leahy, SJ, told an estimated 20,000 attending the Alumni Stadium ceremony, that graduates would be well-served by their academic and personal growth to help address the many pressing issues facing the world. He noted that every generation faces complex issues and uncertainties and that each must respond to those challenges.
“Your challenges today are no different from graduates in the past: every age has had problems to face,” Fr. Leahy said. “Just as we were hopeful that your predecessors could overcome the difficulties of their times, we believe that you have the knowledge, skills, values, and determination to confront and resolve today’s problems. I am confident that God will be with you and sustain you in the future as He has in the past.
“May you be forces for good and powerful examples for those around you, and may God continue to bless you and your families, Fr. Leahy concluded.
In addition to LaHood, honorary degrees were presented to: New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. Chairman James S. Davis and Vice Chairman Anne M. Davis — who is managing trustee of the New Balance Charitable Foundation; Boston College Senior Vice President James P. McIntyre ’57, MEd ’61, EdD ’67; and BC Trustee Associate Sylvia Q. Simmons MEd’62, PhD’90, retired president of the American Student Assistance Corporation.
Political science major Leon Ratz was honored with BC's top commencement prize, the Edward H. Finnegan, SJ, Memorial Award for the student who best exemplifies the University’s motto “Ever to Excel.”
More than 3,700 undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded to the Class of 2011. Among undergraduates, finance topped the list of majors with 289 degrees awarded, followed by Economics (277), Communication (265), English (179) and Marketing (174).
A seven-term Congressman from Illinois, LaHood was named the 16th US secretary of transportation by President Barack Obama on Jan. 23, 2009, heading an agency with more than 55,000 employees and a $70 billion budget that oversees air, maritime and surface transportation missions.
LaHood, who earned a reputation for building bipartisan consensus during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, cautioned graduates not to be deterred by the rancor that often defines the country’s political debate. Other examples from throughout history show the divisiveness between political sides has been far worse.
The values of community and civility, he argued, provide a framework that allows the nation to do the work that continues to move America forward. Community “draws its meaning from the lasting importance of shared ritual and collective experience. It’s why you cheer against Notre Dame,” he said, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd.
He praised the class for the 550,000 hours of community service performed locally, as well as in locations such as Appalachia, New Orleans and Haiti.
But he reserved special recognition for senior Allison Lantero, asking her to stand as he quoted from her blog post, where she asked “Who is Ray LaHood?” and expressed her hope his speech would be short. He promised it would be, but not before giving Lantero a good-natured ribbing.
“Well, Allison, I’m Ray LaHood and I promise I’ll be brief,” he said.