Graduation There was a self-congratulatory air of fulfilled expectations as friends met casually in front of the Union for perhaps the last time before journey ing away from the embracement of the univerity. Crisp black gowns swayed somberly in the breeze while colored tassels bobbed jubilently alongside confident faces as the lines were gradually pulled forward for the processional. Some held red roses while other wore purple and yellow armbands signaling their pro test against the proposed nuclear power plant in Charlestown. We walked up the road amid a' flurry of excited smiles and picture-taking, trying our best to look solemn. As we approached the quadrangle, no one seemed exactly sure what to do next. As we were guided toward our seats, the quad looked larger than on both sides by ever, bordered
parents, relatives, brothers, sisters, friends and alumni. It was a glorious day and the campus was in full bloom. The grass beneath our feet was green and tall, and the trees with their just-sprung leaves waved their benedictions from beside the road way. The URI Concert Band was playing the Grand Triumphal March as the last of the graduates found
their places. before us were the faculty and administration, resplendent in their variously colored gowns which billowed in the breeze under the flags and emblems of the colleges. Presi dent Newman welcomed us to this final gathering. The National An them was sung by Patricia Casey, class of 1979. The Rev. Randolph Chew, University Chaplin, gave the
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benediction. Governor Garrahy was introduced. "These are the times for prudence and careful management," he said, adding that we should remember our "founding fathers who built schools in the wilderness."
origins leaky ceilings, a badly organized library, and an en ergy shortage.
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Our guest speaker was the Rev. Jesse Jackson, famed member of the Chi cago Freedom Movement, now presi dent of Operation Push. He spoke about a moral obligation to help end the arms race and the use of atomic weaponry, and the need for people to take responsibility for their en vironment. "You are a new generation. Receive the torch and take it forward," he began. "Everyone can be great be cause greatness is in service, and
Jackson can serve." stressed a move from "massive de involvement." to massive tachment Much of the speech was centered around the proposed Salt II treaty. "Our choice is not between a treaty and peace, but between an imperfect treaty in an imperfect world, or no
everybody
treaty." In the current atmosphere of change and instability, Jackson said that we should attempt to approach a moral and peaceful solution to the world's problems. "Some believe that might is right, but I believe that right is might," he said. "Jus tice is a prerequisite to peace, but in
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its tax rate. As we sat in the midst of our celebration, Jolly recalled our
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rights."
Addressing himself
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bilities as educated citizens of the United States, Jackson said, "There is a system without us and there is a system within us which requires a sensitive, sane and sober generation There's a nation to save, there's a world to save." Jesse Jackson's message to the Class of 1979 was to find a way to help. "Stop looking in the mirror and start looking out the window Don't ask others to do what we can do ourselves." He pointed toward a new direction, from the "Me generation" to the "We gen eration." .
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Eric Jolly, our student speaker, made the observation that although Rhode Island ranks 36th with respect to the allotment of state aide to its aca demic institutions, it ranks 16th in
achieve a lasting peace, we what power we have no conflict between power
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After Rev. Jackson's speech, honor ary degrees were awarded to four
people for their outstanding work: Edwin C. Brown, secretart- treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and civic leader; Margaret A. McKenna, Deputy Counsel to the President of the United States; Ralph C. Potter, Rhode Island business leader, and Jesse Jackson, National president of Operation Push. Finally, President Newman con ferred our various degrees en masse, and we departed to individual college mini-commencements.
More pic were taken, and, after it was all done, a long line of cars headed out from the University toward the "real world." tures