10 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 30, 2002
LOCAL
Gray urges graduates to live
life as a trip, not an endpoint
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By Maria Sprow
Daily News Editor
Thousands of students stood,
cheered and cried in the bleachers of
Michigan Stadium Saturday as admin-
istrators and family members recog-
nized their collective achievements and
new affiliation to the University. After
accomplishing a task that, at times,
may have seemed impossible, the
Class of 2002 emerged from the stadi-
um as University graduates.
"Today marks the successful com-
pletion of four very important years of
your life," LSA Dean Shirley Neuman
said during the commencement cere-
mony, while encouraging the former
students to remember all that they
learned during their time at the Univer-
sity. "At moments such as this, when
you step out unto your life ... remem-
ber the words (of author Mary Oliver):
'Tell me, what is it that you are meant
to do with this one wild and precious
life?.'"
Some students preferred to hold off
on answering the question, and RC
graduate Marit Dewhurst, the selected
student speaker, rose to the podium
and told the audience of 30,000 about
her packing and unpacking experi-
ences during the last four years.
"We are packing again," Dewhurst
said. "Suddenly, we realized that it
is April, and that we are no longer
counting the boxes - we are count-
ing the days."
Dewhurst, a leader of Project
SERVE, also talked about the experi-
ences that made the last four years of
her life memorable and the people that
help turned Ann Arbor into her home.
Among those experiences were "sign-
ing up for all the lists at Festifall ...
committing yourself to a concentra-
tion, and then committing yourself to
another one ... hanging up on the
CRISP lady for the last time ... falling
in love, falling out of love, falling
asleep in the grass on the Diag on the
first day of the Michigan spring." she
said.
Interim University President B.
Joseph White remarked on the one
incident that separated this year's grad-
uating class from those of the years
before - Sept. 11, 2001. White called
the terrorist attacks "a non-elective
course which you never chose ... but
we also took a refresher course in the
power of love and hope (and) our indi-
vidual ability to make a difference."
He also said the events, though trag-
ic, proved to him that the Class of
2002 could respond and survive any
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A crowd of students celebrate Saturday at Michigan Stadium after completing
their commencement exercises.
event that may come their way.
The pinnacle of the ceremony came
from guest speaker and honorary
degree recipient William Gray, presi-
dent of the United Negro College
Fund, who spoke to the graduates
about future challenges awaiting them.
Gray urged students to widen the
doorway to education, maintain sen-
sitivity toward others and to remem-
ber there is no final station in life,
only the trip.
"Regret and fear are the twin themes
who rob us of today," he said. "Climb
more mountains, eat more ice cream
go barefoot more often. Life must be
lived.... drink more beer, party more,
and go blue."
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JOBS as bad as everyone says, he is just
looking for the job that pays the best
Continued from Page 3 for the summer and is not concerned
end of the day and sanitize it with with the rest.
spray stuff and paper towels. Plus "I'm seriously thinking about Cutco
your knees kill you after you crawl because it is a huge heap of money, but
through the whole thing," Eisenberg I have a lot of friends telling me not to
said. do it," he said.
Other than the money, she said she He said his worst summer job was
could not think of any other positive working at White Castle. "I had to
aspects to her jobs. "You make lots of get up at five in the morning to go
money, that's always good. But other to work from seven until three (in
than that, nothing's coming to mind," the afternoon) five times a week,"
she said. he said.
But not all students are concerned Anyanetu added that he would even
with the possible negative conse- go back to White Castle if they paid
quences associated with a potential him enough.
summer job. "This summer I just want to make
Engineering sophomore Onochie a lot of money. Where or what I do
Anyanetu said even if some jobs are is not too important to me," he said.
ASSAULT
Continued from Page 3
"We have incidences that are bringing
to light the need for more vigilance and
more awareness," Donohoe said.
"Awareness is the best thing that's com-
ing out of this."
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Going abroad this summer?
Leave your contact information with U-M's
International Travel Registration website!
Faculty staff and students traveling
abroad on University-related activities
are strongly advised to provide contact
information for communicationsin the
event of an emergency
This website also provides links to
information that is authoritative and
current, including advice on safety and
other practical matters for international
travelers.
www.umich.edu/itoc/
This website is maintained by the UM
International Travel Oversight Committee,
itoc@umich.edu.
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