UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 17, Page 1
January 19, 1995
Alumna talks to grads at Winter Commencement

     U.S. District Judge Sue Lewis Robinson traded her courtroom for
"a room full of happy people" Jan. 7 when she returned to her alma
mater to speak at the University's 1995 Winter Commencement in the Bob
Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center.
     Speaking to a crowd of approximately 5,000, which included some
500 graduates, the 1974 alumna advised the graduates to "cultivate the
habit of learning," noting that "in a bench trial, where the judge is
the finder of fact..., experts will be testifying solely for my benefit.
I am a class of one, with the highest paid if not the best teachers in
the world.
     "In my few years on the bench, I have been taught economics to
determine damages, and engineering to determine the patentability of
various inventions from aircraft brakes to medical devices. I have
learned all about the nature of tides and human physiology to
determine whether a drowning vicitim suffered conscious pain and
suffering before succumbing to the elements. In connection with all
varieties of personal injury claims, I routinely am given the
opportunity to learn about medicine and psychology," she said.
     "The courtroom is also a great classroom for observing human
nature-the way people deal with tragedy, with each other and with
challenges to their character and veracity."
     From her courtroom education, Judge Robinson made two
observations: "...Criminal defendants, whether they're young people
convicted of drug offenses or more accomplished adults convicted of
white collar crimes, ... have substituted the opportunity to engage in
the learning process in favor of what they perceive to be a simpler
path to success, success generally being equated with wealth and/or
power. Their vision is a narrow one; the path they have chosen a dead
end."
     Her second observation was about civil cases, many meritorious
and many not. "What I fear is that the tendency of Americans to resort
to litigation every time they see a perceived failure will ultimately
destroy the fabric of our community by replacing the dynamic of
learning, with its attendant risks, with the status of ignorance,
wherein the lowest common denominator is revered simply because it is
the safe thing to do."
     Judge Robinson advised the graduates to hold on to their dreams.
"Never accept limits imposed by others," she said. "If I had confined
myself to the perceptions and expectations of others, I never would
have attended law school; I never would have accepted the challenge of
being a federal prosecutor; I never would have acquired the
professional experience that carried me to my present position.
     "So, have faith in yourself and your visions, for if you don't,
no one else may," she said. "And, if you don't stretch just beyond
your reach, you may never grow, achieve or fulfill your potential."
     Whether plans succeed or fail, she added that a sense of humor
keeps everything in perspective. "Humor is the greatest leveler of
people; it serves as a constant reminder that we all suffer,
regardless of status, from the same human foibles. There are few
situations and even fewer personages who can't be improved by the
addition of humor."
     Judge Robinson concluded her remarks by advising the graduates to
"savor the sweetness of life....We all see this messy world of ours
where people are still, still fighting over their differences, rather
than searching for their human commonality. Yet, there is good to be
found in this world, in people, in every day. It's just a matter of
looking for it and appreciating it when it's found."
     As an example, she cited a four-way stop she visits on her
journey home each day, which gives her comfort "especially at the end
of particularly contentious days on the bench when the parties are
doing their best to complicate the disputed rather than working
towards resolution or, heaven forbid, searching for the truth."
     Observing drivers graciously obeying the rules of the road and
yielding the right of way delights her, she said. "They look at you
and acknowledge you. They wave at you. They sometimes even sacrifice
their turn for you in their endeavor to make sure the process is fair.
A small matter, no doubt, but the simple goodness of the whole
experience can be uplifting and reconfirms for me the importance of
law, of the rule of law and of people honoring the rule of law in
their everyday lives in a responsible, respectful fashion. So, if you
look, there is much to be savored."
     Also at the ceremony, Andrew B. Kirkpatrick Jr., chairman of the
Board of Trustees, presented Medals of Distinction to Leonard W.
Quill, Delaware '58 and chairman, president and chief executive
officer of Wilmington Trust Co.; and Bernard C. Watson, chairman of
the board of the Healthcare Management Alternatives Foundation in
Philadelphia and former president and chief executive officer of the
William Penn Foundation in Philadelphia.
     The Medal of Distinction is presented by the University in
recognition of outstanding professional achievements.
     Winter Commencement recognizes students who complete their degree
requirements in August and December.