The Haverblog

After months of preparation, Alumni Weekend 2009 will be in full-swing tomorrow. Although early arrival (and a few events) begin this evening, Friday is the first full day of activities.We expect more than 800 alums and their guests to take part in the weekend’s festivities.

The big 130′ by 80′ tent is ready on Founders Green for the Friday night “Dessert Under the Tent” and Saturday’s All-Alumni Lunch and barbecue dinners for the youngest reunion classes, 1999 and 2004. Apparently this size tent is sturdy enough to hold a person on top – or even snow – but we’re hopeful the weather will be much milder!

Streaming video is now available for Commencement ‘09. You may view the entire ceremony or skip directly to various points in the program.

Stephen T. Curwood, Haverford Board of Managers, presents the honorary Doctor of Laws to Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa.

“As a Quaker and Friend who remained a pacifist during the struggle against apartheid she was never afraid to speak truth to power… and as a passionate defender of human rights and womens’ rights she is still not afraid to speak truth to power… “

Madlala-Routledge:  “I congratulate all the students who are graduating today… but I wish to remind you that…the world you are about enter is changing…”

She quotes Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating another person for the color of their skin, or their religion or their background; they must be taught to hate, and if they can be taught to hate they can be taught to love …

Be proud of who you are. Test your conscience in the deepest part of your innner being and persevere in what you know is right… As I  leave and go back to South Africa I hope to build on this relationship we have established between Haverford College and my country South Africa.”

Linda Bell asks the the Class of 2009 to rise. President Emerson confers the degrees. “I invite each of you to receive the college’s diploma as a symbol of your achievements…”

Aryeh Kosman begins the reading of  the names: “Kathleen Keeegan Abels , Claire Choi Adams, Mark Warren Adelsberg …” and the graduates file up to the stage to receive their diplomas.

Honorary degrees are awarded. Haverford Board of Managers member Anjan K. Chatterjee ‘90 presents the Doctor of Humane Letters to Philadelphia community activist Iris Nydia Brown:

“What I have learned from her is that …If your goal is tranformation there a few things you need to keep in mind. Transformation is not easy, it does not happen over night and it does not happen in a straight line.”

Brown: “I am a gardener. I am a mother. I am a grandmother. I am a cook … I am always dreaming, I am a dreamer. I have many notebooks full of possibilities. But I did not dream of this…

… What I want to say to you: Please don’t be afraid. What this incredible honor means to me is that I need to start working even  harder …

Stephen G. Emerson greets the crowd.

Concluding his address to the graduates:  “You are ready.  And the world is ready for you …You are now fully prepared to go forth and find your life’s work … May you find joy every step of the way.”

The Old City Brass ensemble.

Inside Ryan Gym

Students begin arriving at Ryan Gym to assemble for the procession (indoor all the way!) through the Link to the Field House.

The video camera that will record the entire Commencement (viewable on the Haverford website) is set up, and friends and family have already begun to find seats.

Violet Brown, Haverford Senior Executive Administrator, and Fern Hall, Maintenance Manager, confer with student ushers on the distribution of Commencement programs, while Aryeh Kosman, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus and the long-time official reader of the graduates’ names, checks out the microphone onstage.