Commencement Grammy-winning musician Paquito D’Rivera sends off the class of 2010 in style

“And let me tell you that today you are very fortunate in graduating from the right school; so please take advantage of what you learned here, and spread that knowledge all around you. Today ’ s world is so full of negativity and dark characters; and it is you, the young men and women, who are going out there to heal, to illuminate others with your art, to help make this a better world and society. ” — Paquito D’Rivera

Commencement 2010 took place at Nicholas Music Center on Tuesday, May 18, as heavy rains and wind swirled outside. Fortunately, Grammywinning jazz musician Paquito D’Rivera was a warm and engaging guest speaker as 235 students received diplomas from the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Guests included Anne Thomas (second from left, above), who recently stepped down from the Mason Gross Advancement Council. Thomas had previously served on the Mason Gross Leadership Council, as well, providing a decade of service to the school.

“BEFORE MASON GROSS, MY ART WAS NOTHING MORE THAN SOMETHING TO DO AFTER SCHOOL, SOMETHING THAT I WAS GOOD AT, SOMETHING COOL. AFTER FOUR YEARS HERE, I HAVE TRULY FALLEN IN LOVE WITH IT. AND FOR THAT, I WILL BE FOREVER THANKFUL.

— Student speaker David Neil Regner, BM “NO NATION WILL BE REMEMBERED

FOR THE SOPHISTICATION OF ITS MILITARY WEAPONS, THE FLEETING

PLEASURES OF ITS ELECTRONIC GADGETRY, OR THE CLEVERNESS OF

ITS ADVERTISING SLOGANS. IT IS ART THAT ENDURES, AND IT IS ART

THAT IS THE FINAL MEASURE OF A NATION’S GREATNESS. ” — Dean George B. Stauffer