Here is the link:https://denison21.brand.live/c/2021-commencement Baccalaureate also worth viewing and impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLw_Xv-VTRE The speech from Sara About Rashed, will make you all #denisonproud #centralohioproud so much more to say about Sara and I have in an earlier blog-oh the places she we will go, oh what she has already done-#denisongrateful. The talk by Denison alumna, nationally recognized theologian Kelly Brown Douglas reinforced all I believe and try so hard to emulate and a message I needed now. Oh to share the day with so many dear friends.
I am fortunate to have a role at Denison that allows me to behold the growth and development not only of a young person through the incredible Denison education and experience, but the appreciation and understanding of the Denison impact through the parent's eyes. I witness their commitment and appraise their status as Denisonians and their student moving to alumni. This was the day it cumulates and the "next" Denison phase begins. The phase I reiterated over and over today, is maybe the best. This seems hard to believe. I adored reconnecting with friends, volunteering and making new friends and for me, finding a life partner and best friend in Joe Leithauser in the years beyond my time on the hill. Adam Weinberg included this in his remarks- "you'll make Denison friends you have yet to meet". It is so true! Your relationships will evolve and grow and these incredible people will share monentuen occasions and you will support theirs.
This was the pandemic class- the one sent home and the one that returned prepared to adapt, flex and learn in new ways. This is the class given credit for setting the tone and offering leadership for our campus time to succeed. They partnered, listened and responded. We honored the faculty and staff that made it so and awarded honorary degrees to the scientists that epitomize the Denison mission: autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and engaged citizens. This is the class that caught the attention of important philanthropists: Jon and Natalie Silverstein- in the program please read their gift to honor, teach and inspire philanthropy for Denison and our Licking County community!
A dear parent shared this quote that truly captures the time and offers advice for this class:
"Leaving feels good and pure only when you leave something important, something that mattered to you. Pulling life out by the roots. But you can't do that until your life has grown roots". John Green
Class of 2021- you have beautiful roots and a strong foundation provided by your perseverance, wise choice to attend Denison, residence and the relationships you've cultivated with faculty, staff and one another. All the best to you, we are indeed #Denisonproud
President Weinberg coined #Denisongrateful today and he is so correct. We have much to appreciate in regard to our fair college on the hill, the students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community. My time on the hill was lovely today. My work executed by strong partnership and teamwork, incredible families and a reminder of the future. A sweet junior, now senior gave me a hug- yes the hugs this week have been amazing, and I look forward to supporting the next classes. Class of 2021, P'21 you are near and dear. Life on Newark-Granville Road will not say goodbye, only farewell and as dear ole Aunt Lyn would say....to be continued!
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