May 14, 1999
Contact:
Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
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Chancellor advises graduates to become "enlightened" citizens
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt urged the Classes of 1999 to commit themselves to "enlightenment" in the form of knowledge, new ideas and service to others.
In his farewell remarks during Commencement ceremonies on May 14, Wyatt described the shared sense of community, purpose and vision that characterizes a Vanderbilt education.
"It is enlightenment that takes the form of action, and finds its way into serving others as well as self-fulfillment, that is Vanderbilt's real mission," Wyatt said.
Wyatt made his remarks under a cloudy sky to approximately 2,270 graduates as well as the more than 13,000 families and friends who came to Alumni Lawn to celebrate the University's newest alumni. In addition, there was a worldwide audience who watched the awarding of degrees via the Internet. This was the second year that a live cybercast was made available of the Commencement exercises.
Wyatt noted that the 123rd Commencement at Vanderbilt marked the first to be presided over by Martha Ingram as the new chairman of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust.
Founder's Medals were presented to the top scholar in nine of the University's schools. Also, 21 retiring members of the Vanderbilt faculty and administrators were honored with the title emeritus or emerita in recognition of their years of distinguished service. Wyatt praised John S. Beasley II, vice chancellor for alumni and development, emeritus; and Roscoe R. Robinson, vice chancellor for health affairs, emeritus; for their years of dedicated service. In addition, he paid tribute to the late Martin Geisel, dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management from 1987 until his untimely death in February.
Wyatt also said that Chancellor Harvie Branscomb, who passed away last year shortly before his 104th birthday, had achieved the goal of making the University "one of the great pillars of higher education in this country." He said that while graduation is a time for celebrating the accomplishments of the past and present, it also is a time for the new graduates to contemplate the possibilities for the future.
"Where there were once walls and ceilings, there are now opportunities in every conceivable direction," he said. "But there are many centuries-old problems that continue to resist our technology, our globalness, even our enlightenment."
Wyatt cited the Ingram Scholar program, which may be the only full scholarship program in the nation that recognizes extraordinary achievement in both academics and community service, as an example of the enlightenment that propels Vanderbilt students to action.
"Vanderbilt can give you a push, like the gust that kicks up the leaves. But that's all we can do. In the end, it is up to you," he said.
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