Members of the Class of 2010 announce their class gift at the Senior Gala. The proceeds will fund the purchase and maintenance of college mascot costumes.
Megan Thornnburg, an educational studies major, enjoys the president’s reception with family members.
Communication studies professor Trudi Peterson, left, visits with communication/public relations major Audrey Hackmann and her mom at the president’s reception.
B
rown was this year’s recipient of Monmouth’s pre-college teacher award, which she received after being nominated by graduating senior Katelyn Griffith. She used a lyric from the Jimmy Buffett song It’s My Job to convey her point.
Wendy Lin and Kris Judd are happy to finally have diplomas in hand.
James Graham and his family pose for a photo after the ceremony. He is a descendant of Russell Graham, Monmouth’s first professor of sociology, for whom Graham Hall was partially named.
Although the commencement audience is typically plenty vocal, cue cards can’t hurt.
Business major Arjun Subedi, left, mixes with biochemistry majors Jon Cline and Om Shrestha.
18
commencement
“A street sweeper came whistlin’ by, he was bouncing every step/It seemed strange how good he felt, so I asked him while he swept/He said, ‘It’s my job to be cleaning up this mess/And that’s enough reason to go for me/It’s my job to be better than the rest/And that makes a day for me.’” Brown added, “Do what you are passionate about and then find a way to get paid for it.” While many graduates were no doubt inspired by Beachy and Brown, who have both reached high levels in their professions, Beachy said he looked out from the podium “with a bit of envy for those who are just starting out. Unlike our generation, you have the opportunity to make changes as you go.” Beachy was introduced as an individual who deals with “three of the world’s greatest problems”—hunger, poverty and agricultural sustainability. During his address, he complimented the college for its strong focus on the Midwest, saying “Global security starts with a full belly, and a full belly starts with agriculture. What you do here in the Midwest is part of the solution to global security.” Beachy also referenced “STEM” education, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. His preferred model is “STEAM.” “Put an ‘A’ in there—not for ‘agriculture,’ but for ‘arts,’” he said. “Science should help us make important decisions, but it can’t do it alone. Look at ways of performing service—service is a becoming art, and science is a team sport.” Griffith introduced Brown as the teacher who “made me realize the incredible thrill that could come from learning” and said Brown was “a lot of the reason I will be teaching high school English this fall.”
“Good is the enemy to great,” Brown reminded the graduates. “I wasn’t great at anything when I sat in your seats, and sometimes I want to find the first students I taught, apologize and tell them, ‘I got a lot better!’” Four graduates were joined on the stage by faculty or current or former members of the college’s board of trustees. They included Sally Hayes, and her mother, assistant professor Monie Hayes; Mary Scotillo and her father, the Hon. John Scotillo ’72, a current trustee; Dan Weber ’74 and his father, the Hon. Daniel Weber, a former trustee; and Sara Wenzel and her parents, professors Frank Gersich and Judy Peterson. monmouth | fall 2010