www.midway.edu
Midway, KY
May 13, 2006

The Honorable A. B. "Ben" Chandler, U.S. House of Representatives, Kentucky, Sixth District

"We expect that all of you will build on the direction and bearings you have been given here, bearings for life itself.  They are Midway's legacy to you.  It is that legacy that, in the nature of generation following generation, you will pass on to others.  May you follow these bearings into and through a happy, serene, and satisfying life."

www.mills.edu
Oakland, CA
May 13, 2006

The Honorable Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senate, California

"As you begin this exciting journey into what we parents call 'the real world,' I hope that you will strive to lead a life that honors those who came before you.  Learn from their mistakes and their wisdom, because there are still hard battles ahead.  Remember, every generation has to win freedom again."

www.mtholyoke.edu
South Hadley, MA
May 28, 2006

Joyce Carol Oates, National Book Award winner, best-selling author, and the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University

"There is the expectation that a younger generation has the opportunity to redeem the crimes and failings of their elders and would have the strength and idealism to do so. America is a wonderful country, but its media focus upon winners, stars, and celebrities doesn't really prepare us for living in the world. We must rely upon our own judgment and our own sense of self worth.”

www.msmc.la.edu
Los Angeles, CA
May 15, 2006

Monica Luechtefeld '71, executive vice president of Office Depot

"Make wise choices in your career decisions - choose hospitals, schools, agencies, labs, and companies that share your values. Choose employers who will respect your ethical decisions and encourage you to be strong. Be passionate and make a difference - for your family, your community, and your career!”

www.peace.edu
Raleigh, NC
May 13, 2006

Ping Fu, president and chief executive of Geomagic, Inc. and Inc. magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year 2005

"I don't like the word success; but instead, I like the word 'contribution.'  I don't know how to measure success.  It is an over-used word.  One can set a lofty goal and be very disappointed for not meeting it.  It seems that success is used to measure failure.  On the other hand, contributions are measurable.  Every day, you can ask yourself: what did I do today that contributed to me, to my family, to the organization that I work for, and to the society in which I live?”

www.rmwc.edu
Lynchburg, VA
May 14, 2006

Kathleen G. Bowman, retiring president of Randolph-Macon Woman's College

"Every one of you has been uniquely educated to lead.  You have been surrounded by colleagues from 48 nations, many ethnic groups, races and languages; you are schooled in collaboration and conflict resolution.  You have learned that our common humanity is stronger than our differences, even as we embrace the richness of that diversity. 

You and I are Randolph-Macon Woman's College women about to leave the electric environment of this special place. We know that graduating from this college means that in some way we must contribute to the causes of justice for women and their families both here and around the world, wherever our career paths may take us.  In so doing, we will carry Randolph-Macon Woman's College with us forever. We will not really leave the College, rather we will live it.”

www.sage.edu
Troy, New York
May 13, 2006

Alan Chartock, president and chief executive officer of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio and executive producer of WAMC's national programming  

"Do what you want to do in life and then, no matter how remote the chances, try to achieve that goal.  There will be a gazillion people who tell you that you are being unrealistic, that it won't pay enough, that it won't be 'safe,' and that you should do something more reliable.  But the one thing that this 65-year-old man has to say is that life is very short.  Do what you really want to do, and the rest will follow.”

www.sjc.edu
West Hartford, CT
May 21, 2006

Sister Elizabeth A. Johnson, distinguished professor of theology at Fordham University

"You are the one percent.  You are now going to be forever counted among that one percent of persons in the world who have a college education. Simply put, you are the elite of the world. The well-being of so many others now depends on what you do with your gifts.”

www.smwc.edu
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
May 6, 2006

John E. Etling, founder and former executive director of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute

"We truly live in an age of wonder.  The ever changing world is a challenge for you.  As new college graduates you need to seize these challenges and help shape the future."

www.saintmarys.edu
Notre Dame, IN
May 20, 2006

Ann C. Williams, first African American woman to serve on the Seventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals

"I urge each and every one of you to carry that spirit of service and commitment to others to make the world a better place, whether you work inside the home raising your children or outside the home pursuing a career or some combination of both.

Remember the power of one and that you are a woman who can change the world, in the little ways that you treat the people you deal with on a daily basis making sure there is fairness and justice in the world when you see slights, or in the big picture.”