I love how Carthage does its Commencement. It is a ceremony that is built on solid, substantial traditions and rendered with a careful attention to detail and a reverence for ritual. But beyond all that, it also feels like a celebration in which people are allowed to breathe freely and enjoy themselves – at least as much as anything can be enjoyed when you are seated in one crowded room for two and a half hours. Here are a few things that were memorable and moving about this year’s commencement at Carthage:
SPEAKER PAUL RYAN …. The announcement that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was going to be this year’s commencement speaker generated more than a little bit of concern, at least among the faculty. Those concerns were many and varied- but one of the most predominate worries was that bringing in a political figure in the midst of such a rancorously tense political landscape might somehow transform what was supposed to be A Day About The Graduates into A Day About Politics.
As it turns out, Speaker Ryan proved to be a gracious and even self-deprecating guest who seemed determined to shift our collective attention away from him (and his status as second in line to the U.S. presidency) and squarely on to the 656 young people about to receive their diplomas. His speech had scarcely a hint of partisan politics, but rather was focused on these young people and the new chapter on which they were about to embark. As much as anything, he talked about being open and even welcoming of life’s surprises- and of not being afraid to discard our carefully formulated plans when other opportunities, perhaps beyond our wildest dreams, cross our paths. It was a lovely speech – and exactly what it needed to be. And as President Woodward introduced him, he told the crowd that Speaker Ryan had asked that the fee normally paid to the commencement speaker should be diverted to student scholarships – a lovely gesture that generated a prolonged and sincere round of applause.
By the way, one of my own fears was that the elevated security necessary when someone of Speaker Ryan’s stature is involved might alter the dynamics of the day as well. Fortunately, the Secret Service were a quiet and scarcely noticeable presence. One of the only times I actually noticed the increased security was when I caught this glimpse of a bomb-sniffing police dog as the faculty filed past on our way to the ceremony.
GABRIELLE CYPHER …. As lovely as Speaker Ryan’s speech was – and for as exciting as it was to have someone of his stature with us – I have to say that the speech given by senior Gabrielle Cypher was in some ways even more memorable and moving. One of my biggest quarrels with many (if not all) student speakers at past commencements is that they fail to be themselves, and thus fail to speak effectively on behalf of their fellow graduates. They take the podium and assume the posture of a New Graduate and speak in what seems like a desperate attempt to sound weighty and profound, as they assume befits such a solemn occasion. I much prefer those student speakers who share from the heart and who are not interested in being anything other than who they really are.
Gabrielle, a double major in Management and Social Work, was just such a speaker. Her speech was intensely personal and completely authentic – which, paradoxically, made it more universally relevant to all of us in the room. For instance, at one point she said hello to her younger sister who is battling a serious illness in a children’s hospital in Cincinnati but who was watching the event via Carthage’s live web stream. It was a lovely and tender gesture that was also a way to let in the harsher realities of the outside world, the vexing hurts of human life against which no college degree can inoculate us. It was also a way to remind everyone present of the circle of loved ones that help shape who we are.
I also liked how Gabrielle wasn’t afraid to quote Disney movies – repeatedly – in her talk. Some student speakers would never do that in a million years for fear of sounding too shallow or juvenile. But as far as I’m concerned, they just made her talk all the more authentic and moving. My favorite quote she shared, which was so ideal for the occasion at hand, was this from the Disney film Pocahontas: “You think the only people who are ‘people’ are the people who look and think like you. But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew you never knew.” I can’t think of a message that our world more desperately needs to hear than that – or a better description for what a liberal arts education is meant to give us.
SPECIAL GUESTS …. It actually seems strange to call Professor Dudley Riggle a “guest” because it’s hard to think of anyone who more beautifully and completely represents Carthage than him. For many years a beloved religion professor and campus pastor at Carthage, his wise and sensitive may have transformed more lives than any other single person in recent Carthage history. I know of so many people who regard him as the finest teacher they ever had – and so many people who took his “Issues in Living and Dying” class believe it to have been the single most important course that they have ever taken. He was back at Carthage to receive the Carthage Flame, which is the highest honor the school can bestow. It was wonderful to see him again and to see him honored in this way; my gladness was tinged with the sad realization that none of the students gathered there had been blessed to have him as a teacher.
THE BLESSING …. There has often been more music at Commencement than there was this year. In fact, in the not so distant past both the Carthage Choir and the Gospel Messengers would sing something! And last year a piece was sung by five senior men known as the Crimson Quintet. But this year, aside from the instrumental prelude, processional, recessional, and postlude, the only music was the Carthage Choir’s singing of “The Blessing of Aaron.” Part of me has always regretted that the last time that our seniors sing with the Carthage Choir is in such a difficult setting – with such inhospitable acoustics- at the end of a lengthy program- with people ready to leave.
But then that moment come around again, and somehow it becomes an altogether indispensable part of the proceedings. The large crowd becomes completely hushed and those words of blessing seem to caress and comfort the crowd …. including those for whom those particular words might be completely alien or unfamiliar. The Lord Bless You. The Lord Keep You. Make His Face To Shine Upon You And Be Gracious Unto You. The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You And Give You Peace. Amen. It’s a special moment indeed- and especially so for those seniors whose time with the Carthage Choir is drawing to a close.
AND ONE MORE GOODBYE …. If I have a complaint about Carthage’s commencement, it’s that when it’s over and the faculty files out, we essentially scatter to the winds – as does everyone else who was there- and it becomes all but impossible to find anybody you might be looking for. After last year’s commencement, where six of my senior guys graduated, I could only find one of them afterwards- despite energetically circling the grounds in desperate search. There are just too many different places to go. But this year, I ran into two of my seniors almost right away, before I had even stepped outside, for a last hug- and that felt mighty good.
And then I stepped outside and ran right into my dear colleague Jane Livingston, who has just retired from Carthage. She and I often end up sitting together for commencement (we’re seated by faculty rank), but not this year- and I had been thinking more than once about how sad I was not to be able to share Jane’s last commencement as a faculty member with her. And then boom! It is not easy to step away from this sort of life and work, especially when you are as caring a teacher as Jane is- and I could tell that the finality of her retirement was beginning to really sink in. It was so nice that we could share a hug and even a few tears and wish each other well in whatever comes next. That’s what a day like this is all about- setting sail for new possibilities, as bravely and joyously as we can.
