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COMMENCEMENT
2008: Mayor Michael Bloomberg Urges Graduates
to Take Risks and Seek Out "Tenth" Way of Knowing
updated
05.22.08
New York,
NY — On the rainy and chilly morning of Tuesday, May 20,
philanthropist, entrepreneur and the 108th Mayor of the City
of New York Michael R. Bloomberg told the Barnard Class of
2008 to "take risks, seek out experience and address
the numerous challenges now facing our nation." Bloomberg
used candor and humor to describe the national and world challenges
that will be faced by Barnard's newest alumnae—from global
warming to the state of the American health care system. Bloomberg's
political virtuosity never remiss, he urged the graduates
to perform their civic duty in the upcoming election. "You
can demand more from those who want your vote. In the voting
booth you have the power. More now than ever, your nation
needs you," he said.
Bloomberg
praised Barnard College for creating a diverse learning environment
for women and for the school's unique philosophy of education
known as the "Nine Ways of Knowing." In his speech,
Bloomberg introduced a "tenth" way of knowing —
experience — that comes not only from personal tests
and challenges but by learning from the experiences of others.
While he joked about the state of the union, he also told
graduates not to worry about salary or titles right away in
the workplace. "Make your first job something that will
teach, humble and exhilarate you. Whatever you choose to do,
give it your all."
He also
urged Barnard's graduates to make the world better through
their dreams, ideals and aspirations. "Don't be afraid
to try new things or even completely change the direction
of your life," he said, pointing out that when he decided
to run for mayor, everyone told him it was a crazy thing to
do. "Make sure you take risks, never be afraid to fall
flat on your face. I've certainly done that myself,"
he said.
Bloomberg
recognized a special handful of women, including his mother,
his daughters, his female deputy mayors, Barnard alumnae Nazli
Parvizi and Ester Fuchs, who have served in his administration,
and two graduates, Miri Cypers and Jackie Garcia, who served
as interns at City Hall.
He addressed
a crowd of approximately 5,000 jubilant graduates, family,
friends, and faculty, all gathered on Columbia's South Lawn
to celebrate the 597 members of the Class of 2008. Student
speakers who eloquently addressed the crowd included Senior
Class President Remi Sowemino-Coker, Student Government Association
President Laura S. Stoffel, and senior Ruth S. Talansky, who
offered academic reflections. Dorothy Denburg '70, Dean of
the College, read the names and majors of the graduates, who
received the B.A. in several dozen fields, many of them with
double or even triple majors, from human rights studies, architecture,
and dance to neuroscience, astrophysics, and statistics. The
most popular fields of study were economics, English, political
science, and psychology.
Chair
of the Board of Trustees and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
Anna Quindlen '74, brought a greeting from the Board of Trustees.
Quindlen, an active alumna for two decades and trustee since
1983, told the graduates that they are without a doubt "destined
for success" and "superlatively prepared" to
do great things. "Whether you end up raising children
or raising hell…or probably both…there is no question
that you will do whatever you set out to do very well."
Barnard
President Judith Shapiro presented the Barnard Medal of Distinction,
the College's highest award, to Mayor
Bloomberg; tennis great, living legend, and social activist
Billie Jean King; Pulitzer
Prize-winning writer and Editor-in-Chief of The New Yorker
David Remnick; and
lifelong Harlem advocate and chief organizer of Harlem's Head
Start programs Dr. Thelma
Davidson Adair. The 2008 Medalists join the impressive
list of past Barnard honorees, which includes Joan Didion,
Walter Cronkite, Maya Lin and Mario M. Cuomo.
At this
year's graduation, a fifth medal
was awarded to Shapiro, the outgoing president, who was
surprised and visibly moved. The honor was presented by Quindlen,
who recounted the numerous successes that have occurred under
Shapiro's leadership, including the tripling of Barnard's
endowment, the addition of new faculty chairs, and the creation
of the eco-friendly Nexus building. "We do not honor
you by presenting you with this medal. Because of all you
have done to elevate the reputation of this college we love
so well, you honor us by accepting it," said Quindlen.
After
the presentation of degree candidates President Shapiro, a
cultural anthropologist, gave a hearty "You rock!"
shout out to the excited graduates. After recognizing the
students and their families, she thanked the faculty and staff
for their contributions to the seniors' successes. Shapiro
remarked that she also considered this graduation her own,
as she leaves her presidential post of 14 years. She reminisced
about her own experiences as a student in Morningside Heights
in the 1960s, drawing parallels to the Class of 2008. She
asked the graduates to consider the Chinese blessing (or curse),
"May you live in interesting times." Shapiro told
the class that they are entering the working world in some
"seriously interesting times" and "what better
time to make your mark" on the world. Echoing Bloomberg's
call for civic action she entreated the class to "vote
and work for your candidate of choice. I hope one day some
of you will be candidates yourselves — because you are
brilliant, you are unstoppable."
Shapiro
closed by quoting Simon and Garfunkel, whose song "Bridge
over Troubled Water" seemed fitting for the day: "Sail
on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All
your dreams are on your way."
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