Graduates challenged to think boldly

ommencement speakers challenged graduates to couple the power of the mind with the power of technology to bring about change in the world. More than 7,000 people were in attendance for the College and School of Nursing ceremony on May 19.

"Liberal education is one of those marvelous endeavors that asks us to be skeptical in what we are told," said James Freedman, president emeritus of Dartmouth College and past president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. "It must lay open the minds and souls of its students to the wonderful opportunities of growth."

Paul Horn '73 (PhD), senior vice president and director of research for IBM, was presented with the Hutchison Medal, the University's highest alumni honor. In his address, he described today's computers as having "the brain power of a lizard. In 20 years, it will be a million times faster."

He cautioned graduates that technology "is not some sort of savior--but what we do with it might be." He counseled them by saying: "You're not the first generation to face an uncertain future, but you will have the ability to shape that future like no other generation before you. Put it to good use."

Separate Commencement ceremonies also were held on Sunday, May 19, for those receiving bachelor's and master's degrees from the Eastman School of Music and master's degrees from the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development.

On Saturday, May 18, doctoral candidates from all divisions of the University received their degrees.

Ceremonies for M.D. graduates of the School of Medicine and Dentistry took place on May 26, and those for graduates of the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 16, both at the Eastman Theatre.

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