What another beautiful day (two year in a row)! It was a sunny warm Saturday afternoon to have this year's graduation outside on the campus mall. I was able to get a spot behind the band stand to preview the graduates fall on line when they get their diplomas.
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Donnelly native Bennett Smith’s student address was one of the highlights of the University of Minnesota, Morris’ 47th Commencement Saturday.
More than 300 graduates officially received degrees on a sunny, warm afternoon on a packed campus mall.
The 2010 Commencement exercises also featured addresses from University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, Regent Clyde Allen and UMM Chancellor Jacqueline Johnson.
Smith, the recipient of the Curtis H. Larson Award, paid homage to his family, which first settled near Donnelly after the Civil War, and to all those who were on the land before that. It was those who made it possible for him and his classmates to achieve what they have so far.
Smith quoted Methodist evangelist John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Smith poked fun at UMM’s remote location, noting that students at other prestigious universities have ready access to trendy bistros and coffee shops.
“The only Starbuck I’ve know in my college life is east of Cyrus,” Smith said. “Jose’s Burritos was my Chipotle.”
Trips to Don’s Cafe in downtown Morris “bordered on religion,” he said.
“No one knows how to make their own fun like UMM students,” he said.
Bruininks, who enters his final year as president this fall, noted that former U of M President O. Meredith Wilson gave UMM’s first Commencement address. He also noted that Wilson quoted John F. Kennedy in his speech, “that one person can make a difference and everyone should try,” Bruininks said.
Bruininks also paid tribute to U of M legend Norman Borlaug, who passed away last year and is credited with saving millions of lives through his advancements in agriculture. He spoke of Borlaug’s “deep sense of purpose,” his compassion, leadership, devotion to cultural diversity and his ability to think long-term.
Bruininks also spoke of Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor who believed that man’s overriding motivation in life was a quest for meaning. Today’s students must seek that, too.
“Take time to identify your values,” Bruininks said, “who you are and where you stand.”
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More than 300 seniors will receive bachelor of arts degrees during the 47th University of Minnesota, Morris Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2010. Faculty, staff, family, and friends will gather on the mall to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates. The celebration begins with division receptions from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.
The Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Martin H. Seggelke, assistant professor of music, and the Concert Choir, under the direction of Ken Hodgson, associate professor of music, will perform a pre-commencement concert and musical selections during the ceremony. Adam Schmiesing ’10, Swanville, will conduct “Music for a Festival”, and Anna K. Jessup ’10, Brooten, will lead the “Star Spangled Banner”.
Student Color guards Kristin Youngblom ’12, Lafayette, and Katie Barron ’11, St. Paul, will lead the processional. Mace Bearer is Michael Lackey, assistant professor of English. Student Marshals are Dominic Scheck ’11, Brooklyn Park, and Julie Drennen ’12, Lino Lakes. Faculty Marshal is Jennifer Rothchild, associate professor of sociology.
Chancellor Jacqueline R. Johnson will give the welcome and recognize special guests.
“I am delighted to announce that two very special guests will join the UMM community for this year’s commencement,” states Johnson. “Regent Clyde Allen, chair of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, will bring official ‘regental’ greetings, and President Robert Bruininks will serve as commencement speaker. This year, during our yearlong 2010 Celebration, the University of Minnesota, Morris marks its 50th anniversary. The attendance of key University officials Bruininks and Allen acknowledges this historic moment, reaffirming the campus’s unique public liberal arts mission in the future of the University, the region, and the state.”
Chosen by fellow graduates to represent his class, student commencement speaker this year will be Bennett Smith ’10, Morris.
Kathy Julik-Heine’10, Taylor Falls, will introduce the commencement speaker, President Robert Bruininks.
In recognition of the campus’s origins as an American Indian boarding school, a Native American Honor Song will be performed by the Northern Wind Singers to recognize and pay tribute to the achievements of Morris scholars. The Honor Song will be dedicated to the Class of 2010. Alumnus Gabriel B. Desrosiers ’05 is lead singer and keeper of the drum.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean Cheryl K. Contant will present the Class of 2010. Regent Allen will confer degrees. Jim Mahoney ’85, president of the University of Minnesota, Morris Alumni Association, will welcome the newest members of the alumni association.
Following the ceremony, a reception will be held in Oyate Hall in the Student Center. Commencement guests are invited to view the 2010 Senior Art Show in the Humanities Fine Arts Gallery before and after the ceremony.
University of Minnesota, Morris Media Services will live Web cast the event. The link will be on the home page at morris.umn.edu on Commencement day. For those unable to sit outdoors, the ceremony is also streamed live to Edson Auditorium in the Student Center, and KKOK 95.7 broadcasts the ceremony live.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will held in the PE Center."
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