University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 16, Jan. 9, 1997
Grads, benefactor honored at Winter Commencement

     It was a sea of smiles in the Bob Carpenter
Sports/Convocation Center on Saturday, Jan. 6, as approximately
5,600 graduating students and their parents, supporters and
friends gathered to celebrate Winter Commencement.
     Some 800 students (of the 900 eligible to receive degrees)
attended the morning ceremony, heard their names read, processed
across the stage, received applause (and some cheers) from the
crowd and were officially welcomed into the Class of 1996.
     Keynote speaker at the ceremony was the Rt. Rev. Ronald H.
Haines, Delaware '56, who is currently Episcopal bishop of
Washington, D.C.
     Bishop Haines told the new graduates, "I have no crystal
ball, but I predict that if you have guiding principles for your
life, you will have a fascinating journey ahead. The human spirit
is remarkably resilient.
     "Where do we seek guidance for living into such a new world?
The answer for me lies in the sure and certain knowledge that we
of the present time live in the future of generations which have
gone before. We have the opportunity to look at the past in order
to live into what is coming ahead. And new revelations have a way
of breaking into our frame of reference just when we least expect
them.," Bishop Haines said.
     As the graduates and the world face changes, the bishop said
he was reminded of the Hebrew prophet Amos, who also lived amidst
changing times nearly 30 centuries ago and was one of the first
"to connect a social conscience with the practice of religion."
     Much like today, Amos described his time "as if someone fled
from a lion and was met by a bear, or escaped into the house,
rested his hand against the wall and was bitten by a snake."
     "You members of the Class of 1996 may have some well-defined
life plans or you may 'go with the flow,' as they say," Bishop
Haines continued. "But, be prepared for the unplanned, the
unexpected or the uncontrollable, which can and probably will
take your life in directions you cannot not now foresee. When
that happens, unless you have guiding principles, your life will
be adrift.
     "'Let justice roll down like waters and integrity like an
ever-flowing stream,'" he said, quoting Amos once more and
recommending justice and integrity as guidelines for life, much
as running lights insure safe passage up and down a river.
     "Justice points us toward those undergirding ethical
principles which inform our moral decision-making and protect the
minority from the tyranny of the majority. But, justice needs a
partner, lest it become harsh or heartless. Integrity is the
other running light; it helps temper justice with compassion.
Justice and integrity do not come easily or automatically. You
will have to seek to find them and work to preserve them," he
said.
     Bishop Haines concluded his remarks by telling the new
graduates, "You leave here to find your way in the world, and
there is no clear map for your life or career because you're the
ones chosen to deal with the unprecedented. Whatever map that
evolves will be of your own charting, but you will never have to
go it alone. There will be companions along the way. Seek their
wisdom. And, may your journey be an eventful one, and let justice
and integrity be your guides."
     Also at the ceremony, President David P. Roselle presented
the University's Medal of Distinction to Sarah Jastak-Burgess,
Delaware '54M, '63PhD. Long an advocate for the arts in the state
of Delaware, she has had "a profound effect on many Delaware
institutions," Roselle said, including the Wilmington Music
School, the Delaware Symphony, the Grand Opera House, Opera
Delaware and the Delaware Institute for Arts in Education.
     "She and her husband, Leslie, have gathered a number of
distinct collections [of art and artifacts] really unrivaled
anywhere else in the world," he said. "Two of the collections
were made gifts to the University Gallery. They include the 117-
piece amber collection, thought to be the largest collection in
the world housed in a single place. Another significant
collection, that of Russian and Greek icons, was given to the
University in 1991. Sarah and Leslie have continued their
remarkable generosity to the University of Delaware with numerous
other works of art."
     Roselle presented her with the medal, saying, "Sarah, it has
been said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a
life by what we give. Today, we give you special recognition as
acknowledgment for your leadership in arts education and deep and
heartfelt gratitude for your support and generosity shown to your
alma mater and to the greater community."
     "It is with great pride and gratitude that I accept this
honor," Jastak-Burgess said. "To me, the real significance of
this award rests not so much on past accomplishments as on the
challenge of the future. It is my intention to continue my
efforts to improve the quality of life for others through
education and the arts."
     The Medal of Distinction is awarded to individuals of the
state and region who have made humanitarian, cultural,
intellectual or scientific contributions to society, have
achieved noteworthy success in their professions or have given
significant service to the community, state or region.
                                             -John Brennan