Photos by Chris Segal/Planning Editor
SHANNON KELLY
Editor in Chief
First Lady Laura Bush praised Seaver College graduates for their dedication to service founded on faith during her commencement address today in Alumni Park. “Use your talent and energy to make the world a better place for people across the globe,” she said to the class of 2007. “You’ll find happiness along the way.”
Bush addressed 659 graduates and more than 10,000 guests after President Andrew K. Benton awarded her Pepperdine’s Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of her “important role on the world’s stage,” and in appreciation for her work “anchored deeply in faith.”
The first lady accepted the honor and told the audience, “I’m delighted to be part of the Pepperdine family.”
Bush’s speech focused on Pepperdine’s motto, “Freely ye received, freely give,” which she referred to when she told students that with faith comes calling. “You won’t waste your talents and education if you freely give them in service to others,” she said.
The first lady thanked graduating students who have heeded their call to serve through more than 55 thousand volunteer hours. She praised their efforts to help relieve some the most dire international issues including genocide in Darfur, aids in Africa and a lack of clean drinking water across the globe. Bush addressed those who give themselves to others through Pepperdine student programs such as Acting on Aids, Project Serve volunteer trips and the Wishing Well program, founded by Pepperdine students to build wells and bring clean water to the poorest parts of the world.
Bush, the Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade, also expressed the importance of educating the world’s youth and connected the cause to Seaver students who serve inner-city children through Teach for America, and who work with preschool children through the Jumpstart program.
“Give to children what you have received here at Pepperdine,” she said. “The gift of outstanding teachers.”
Intercultural Communications graduate Christine Yi shared the stage with the first lady and spoke to her class about the blessing of change and the value of integrity. She told her fellow graduates that she was inspired by their “incredible capacity to love” and appreciated their ability to brighten an often-dark world. “I hope and pray that we will be a light in the darkness,” she said before singing “This Little Light of Mine.”
Graduates tossed their hats toward the sky and prepared to leave college behind with both enthusiasm and some trepidation. “I’m really excited but a little apprehensive about all of the decisions I’ll be making,” said International Studies graduate Lauren DuBois, who recently accepted a job with a Public Relations firm in Malibu.
While some students plan on heading straight to the workforce, others such as Sondra Grigsby are going back to school. She plans on attending Georgetown law in the fall. “She’s wanted to be a lawyer since she was five years old,” her mother Cynthia Grigsby said. “I’m very proud of her.”
Fellow proud family members filled Alumni Park this morning. Helen Healy, James Corrales’ grandmother, said she was especially excited about watching her first grandchild to graduate from college receive his diploma. “He’s been such a hard worker all of his life,” she said about Corrales, a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts in Business.
As the class of 2007’s family members and friends celebrated the graduates’ successes, many said they enjoyed the unique opportunity to hear the country’s first lady address the Pepperdine community.
“It’s astonishing that the first lady is speaking,” Healy said.
Incoming Student Government Association president Andy Canales said he thinks it was an honor for Pepperdine to host the first lady. “Regardless of what people think about her politics, it’s exciting to have Laura Bush speaking today,” he said.
Communications graduate Rozelle Polido’s uncle also said he was honored to be in the audience. “The first lady’s speech was so heartfelt,” Gerrit Fernandez said. “You could tell her heart was really for the students and for her country.”
For more on this story please see the Graphic's April 12 story "First Lady to speak at graduation."
04-28-2007