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Click here for a low-resolution video of Winter Commencement.

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5:30 p.m., Jan. 4, 2003--The weather outside was chilly, but a spirit of warmth prevailed indoors as the last members of the Class of 2002 received their diplomas Saturday, Jan. 4, during Winter Commencement ceremonies, which filled the Bob Carpenter Sports Convocation Center to near capacity.

From a stage decorated with more than 100 flags representing the home states and countries of UD students, University President David P. Roselle greeted the degree recipients and welcomed their families, friends and sponsors to the ceremony, which also was webcast live on the Internet. Of the 1,214 students who completed their degree requirements in August and December, nearly half attended the ceremony.

In keeping with tradition, a distinguished UD alumnus spoke at Winter Commencement. This year, Leo E. Strine Jr, a 1985 summa cum laude UD graduate who is vice chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery, delivered the Commencement address.

Strine congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and reminded them of the challenges that lie ahead.

“With that degree in hand, most of you now face challenges of choice and responsibility, beginning to focus your interests into the pursuit of a particular career and embarking on a period of life in which you will increasingly assume complete responsibility for your own economic security,” Strine said. “You deserve to feel good about the hard work that got you here today and to spend some time savoring your accomplishments. You have earned it.”

Strine said such success also is the result of support from many quarters, including family, friends and faculty.

“For most of you, it was loving parents, who instilled in you the value of learning and who helped you shoulder the burden of paying for college. For others, it was an aunt or uncle, or grandparent, or guardian, or other special person who was there when you needed them and who gave you a lift when you were down,” Strine said. “Others were there at critical times to prod you along—teachers who inspired your interests in certain subjects, coaches and band leaders who drew out your talents, brothers and sisters who showed you the way.”

Leo E. Strine Jr.

This support, Strine said, extends beyond the efforts of family and friends to the help provided by a caring community as well as the efforts of government at the local, state and national level.

“None of you are here today without some meaningful help from the governments of our nation and state, which are the primary instruments through which we—as citizens of a free republic—express our concerns for our fellow Americans,” Strine said. “While we rightly celebrate the substantial personal and economic liberties available to us in the United States, we insult our history and betray our own ignorance if we deny that much of what makes us proud to be Americans results from the efforts our government undertakes on our behalf.”

Among the services provided by government, Strine noted, are the provision of health care for the poor and elderly, the construction of a national highway system and the funding of public education and the creation of excellent public universities like the University of Delaware.

“These governments are not abstract entities, ruled by distant and illegitimate tyrants,” Strine said. “They are instead the reflection of ourselves, a free people with the right to choose who will govern us.”

Strine also reminded the graduates that men and women of their age are involved in the serious and sometimes deadly war against terrorism, fought in far-away places like Afghanistan and the Philippines.

“Their bravery and commitment to our nation is humbling to those of us who are not amongst their ranks, and reminds us of the sacrifices made by previous generations of Americans,” Strine said. “Few of us will ever match the contributions of these soldiers to our nation. But we can express our gratitude in a meaningful way by doing our part.”

First on the list, Strine said, is becoming informed citizens in a complex world while helping to make the tough choices that America faces home and abroad.

These issues, Strine said, include improving living standards in emerging nations, addressing the hostility that our own comparative prosperity sometimes generates and integrating the world economic system without diminishing our own labor and environmental standards.

On the home front, Strine said, this latest generation of UD graduates needs to be concerned with finding the best long-term solutions for Social Security and protecting America from terrorism while deciding what infringements on civil liberties must be endured.

“Avoid glib responses to hard problems. Reflect on the basis of your political views: Are they instinctive impulses shaped by your own self-interest?” Strine asked. “Or, are your political views shaped by a strenuous consideration of what is the best way to govern a just society that has a due regard for all of its citizens?”

Strine cited the American philosopher John Rawls, who believed that a nation ought to have regard for those of its citizens who have the fewest resources.

“As young men and women privileged to hold a degree from a respected university, what is most important to take from Rawls is a humble appreciation for the contingent nature of human fortune and a commitment to generosity towards those upon whom fate has not smiled so widely,” Strine said. “The hungry child, the disabled person, the unemployed worker—each of these endure a fate that could have been—or could be ours. Always bear that in mind. “

Honorary degrees

The honorary degree is the highest honor the University bestows and is given to citizens of the state and region who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society, have achieved noteworthy success in their profession or have given significant service to the University, state or region.

A five-term U.S. Senator from Delaware, Roth co-authored the Kemp-Roth tax cuts and helped create the popular IRA (individual retirement account) that bears his name. He also co-authored the IRS Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.

“You have given me a great honor, … and it has a special meaning coming from this outstanding university,” Roth said.

Roth, who earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and M.B.A. and LL.B. degrees from Harvard University, said UD has developed “a truly outstanding faculty” and “has been fortunate in having outstanding support from leading members of the community throughout the state….

“You represent the future of America,” Roth told the graduates. “I can tell you—having had many Delaware students work in my office when I was a U.S. senator—that I am entirely confident in the future of our great country.”

An honorary doctor of laws degree also was conferred on E. Norman Veasey, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware. Before he was appointed to the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Veasey served as chief deputy attorney general of the state of Delaware. Past president of the Delaware State Bar Association and a director of the Institute for Law and Economics, Veasey is a frequent speaker on corporate governance issues, ethics and professionalism. From 1975-92, Veasey was a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.

In his remarks, Veasey urged the graduates to have “the courage to accept moral responsibility,” citing several historical examples of political and personal courage that have advanced American society.

In particular, Veasey noted the contribution of Collins Seitz, a UD graduate who, as vice chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery, issued rulings in the early 1950s desegregating the University of Delaware and Delaware’s public schools.

“This courageous act of a 1937 graduate of UD was taken 15 years after his graduation,” Veasey said.

In conclusion, Veasey said, “I’d like to echo the words of Sen. Roth in honoring this great University—a University at the forefront of moral responsibility throughout the state and this nation."

Sarah Vence, a member of the Class of 2003, sang the national anthem and the alma mater while the Department of Music Intermusica Ensemble provided music for the ceremony.

Comments from graduates

Members of the Class of 2002 attending the Winter Commencement looked back fondly on their time at UD and also recognized the support of family and friends in making the attainment of a college degree possible.

Lakeisha Mayers

Lakeisha Mayers, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English: “I am really excited. I finally did it. I’m now at the point where I’m looking forward to the future. I’m surprised to see so many people here. I’m glad that I can share this experience with so many people.”

Robin Kwiatowski, who earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design major: “I want to thank my parents for everything.”

Cheryl Melonakos, who earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising: “I can’t believe it has gone by so fast. I also would like to thank my parents.”

William Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise sciences: “I’m very excited to graduate. I think this is a really great school. It’s a happy day. I’ve worked very hard to get this degree.”

Matthew Rosenberg, who earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management: “I think this is a great thing—that we are grouped by majors. It’s nice that at graduation we can sit with the people who have been our friends during our college careers. I like the way the University of Delaware does this.”

Young-Jin Kim (with her father, Yong I. Kim),

Young-Jin Kim (with her father, Yong I. Kim), a summa cum laude candidate who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science, said she feels that she has “accomplished a lot” and looks forward to finding a job working on the Internet.

Article by Jerry Rhodes and Larry Elveru
Photos by Kathy Flickinger