Speaker advises graduates to work hard, consider service to others
(05/12/09)
Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelman, a lifelong advocate for disadvantaged Americans and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, gave the commencement address to Millsaps College graduates Saturday morning.
She suggested graduates “wander off the beaten career path” and ask how they could lose themselves in service to others. She instructed graduates to work hard, take nothing for granted, continue learning and never be afraid to take risks.
“There is no free lunch in life,” said Edelman, a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School who began her career in the mid 1960s when, as the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, she directed the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund office in Jackson. “Don’t feel entitled to any thing you didn’t sweat and work for.”
Watch video of Edelman's speech by clicking on the embedded player above, or
visit Millsaps College on YouTube to view in high quality.
Edelman encouraged graduates to open their eyes to needs of others around them and take action instead of waiting for someone else to do so.
She spoke about the Children’s Defense Fund’s “Cradle to Prison Pipeline Campaign” that is aimed at reducing detention and incarceration by increasing preventive support, including access to quality early childhood development, better schools and comprehensive health and mental health coverage. She advocated health care insurance for all children, and said that many children lack the moral guidance and spiritual support that she had as a child.
A total of 221 undergraduates received degrees and another 48 graduates received degrees as part of the Class of 2009. The ceremony marked the college’s 115th commencement.
During the ceremony, Edelman was awarded a doctor of public service for her work as an advocate for children and families.
Also awarded honorary degrees were
Thomas Fingar of Mountain View, Calif., who received a doctor of public service for his work as an intelligence officer, academic, diplomat and chairman of the National Intelligence Council.
Rowan H. Taylor of Jackson, who received a doctor of public service for his corporate and civic involvement.
Hugh Gaston Hall of Kenilworth, England, who received a doctor of humane letters for his work as a poet, translator and leading authority on the French playwright Moliere. Hall is a 1952 Millsaps graduate and Rhodes Scholar.
The Millsaps Founders’ Medal, awarded to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average for their entire college course of study and a grade of excellent on the comprehensive examinations, went to Kayla Ann Richard of Lafayette, La. She received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
Dominique Lauren Powell of Austin, Texas, was honored for her essay on the value of a Millsaps liberal arts education with the Frank and Rachel Ann Laney Award. She received a bachelor’s in psychology and history.
The Don Fortenberry Award, which recognizes the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most notable, meritorious, diligent and devoted service to the college with no expectation of recognition, reward or public remembrance, was given to Thomas Alexander Allain of Natchez. He received a bachelor’s in religious studies.
Darby Kathleen Ray, professor of religious studies and director of the Faith & Work Initiative was named recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award.
