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McCarthy, Shalala Urge Class of 2000 to Vote
Grandmothers climbed into bleachers instead of finding cool seats in the shade, and graduates filed in from the murky interior of the field house instead of meandering one last time down the sunny brick path between Dunning and William Smith halls. No matter. Despite being forced inside for the first time in 25 years by rain and unseasonably cool temperatures, commencement ceremonies still bore all the excitement, exuberance and bittersweetness of students closing one chapter of their lives and beginning another.
Classmates and family cheered as the names of friends and loved ones were called. Some mothers, like Vera Grabocka, silently wiped away tears as their children made their way across stage. Mrs. Grabocka had traveled from war-torn Albania to witness this moment and to see her daughter Elda again, for only the third time in six years.
Holding heads and diplomas high, grinning broadly as they balanced their mortarboards, the members of the Class of 2000 proudly made their way across the stage.
Offering parting words of advice were Donna Shalala, a university leader now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Eugene McCarthy, the intellectual Senator and poet who sought to end the Vietnam War. Both received honorary degrees.
"McCarthy towers in the American political culture as an extraordinary figure whose bid for president during  the height of the Vietnam War is now the stuff of legend," College President John Toll said in presenting McCarthy with the Doctor of Laws degree. "With refreshing intelligence, honesty and a forthright sense of right and wrong, McCarthy stabilized the peace movement and inspired a generation to believe peace was possible against all odds."
In his trademark style, McCarthy sounded a wake-up call to an apathetic American public that he says neglects to vote, avoids paying their fair share of taxes and shuns military service. Fewer than 50 percent of registered voters go to the polls, McCarthy said, making it easy for extremists to acquire power. While John Adams feared the polarization that could result from a two-party political system, McCarthy said the homogenization of the parties would be even worse.
Their messages were similar, yet Shalala took a more optimistic tone in her Commencement address, after she received the honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.
The former Peace Corps volunteer praised the Class of 2000 for their demonstrated commitment to public service and challenged them to sustain it. At the "starting line" of the 21st century, she said, "The question we must ask ourselves is this: What vision will guide us in this new century? Will it be a vision where what you contribute is more important than what you earn? Where the common good is the highest good? And where being an active citizen is more important than being a passive consumer?"
Active citizenship begins at the polls. In the last presidential election, she noted, only 32 percent of people ages 18 to 24 voted. "There's simply too much at stake for your generation to sit on your hands--and sit out this election. In six months we will either lay down a new cornerstone for the more perfect union envisioned by George Washington--by defining who we are and where we want to go--or we will surrender up the opportunity we've been given to make this century America's greatest."
She made her plea for U.S. foreign policy that helps other nations thrive, thus promoting global economic growth and international political stability. Similarly, she called for domestic policies that leave no one behind, from infants needing vaccinations to older Americans dependent on pensions and health care, to young people seeking quality, affordable education.
"That will not be easy," she said. "There will be those who argue we cannot afford social, education and economic justice. There will be those who argue that as our population ages, and there are fewer workers and more retirees, there will be no way to avoid creating winners and losers. There will be those who argue that as long as we don't lose ground in improving the lives and health of all Americans--then we should count our blessings and not worry about gaining ground. But those arguments are wrong. In this century, the fruits of our prosperity and scientific discoveries must not pass by anyone's door."
Shalala concluded by urging the graduates to "always stay optimistic and hopeful. Hold on to your compassion, and never stop serving your communities. Love your work. Love all the people who made this day possible. Love what blessed fortune has given you. And take time to have fun."
Also as part of the Commencement ceremonies, the Alumni Association of Washington College presented an Alumni Citation for Excellence in Medicine and Public Service to Dr. RoseMary Hatem Bonsack '55. Dr. Bonsack was the first female physician to serve in the Maryland General Assembly. She remains an active leader with the American Academy of Family Physicians, for whom she chaired the Commission on Continuing Education, among others.
The Alumni Association's Award for Distinguished Teaching went to Donald A. McColl, assistant professor of art history.
Gold Pentagon Awards for meritorious service were presented to two students--Katherine Mahoney, president of the Student Government Association, and Kathryn Preen, director of the Service Happens volunteer program--and to Dale Daigle, associate professor of drama. Mahoney also won the Clark-Porter Medal, given to the student whose character and personal integrity have most clearly enhanced the quality of campus life.
Several other senior honors and prizes were also awarded during commencement.
The Jane Huston Goodfellow Memorial Prize, awarded to a science major with "an abiding appreciation of the arts and humanities," went to Theresa Vance. Graduating magna cum laude with a degree in biology, Vance also won the department's research award.
The Louis L. Goldstein '35 Award, given in recognition of unusual interest, enthusiasm and potential in the field of public affairs, was presented to Thomas Clark Cromwell. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science and the departmental award.
The Eugene B. Casey Medal, given to the senior woman outstanding in scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship, was presented to Mariah Stump. President of the senior class, Stump graduated magna cum laude with a double major in biology and humanities.
The Henry W. C. Catlin 1894 Medal, awarded to the senior man outstanding in scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship, was presented to Jason Yerkie. Yerkie graduated summa cum laude with a double major in philosophy and economics.
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