Student Speaker Urges Fellow Graduates at University of Richmond to Join Ranks of the Nation's New Heroes
May 5, 2002
Graduating senior Timothy P. Sullivan urged his classmates to join the ranks of the nation's new heroes today at the University of Richmond's Robins Center.
"Kindness used to be defined as rewinding a Blockbuster videotape," he told 696 other seniors and 81 graduate students receiving degrees at Richmond's 172nd commencement. Now it's "rushing up the stairs." From self-absorption, Americans have united against the "most horrific enemy attack ever."
"You don't need a hose or a badge, just a heart and the courage to follow it," he said. "Our future can be found in our relationships to one another."
He quoted an old Chinese proverb that says we live in the present, dream in the future and learn about truths from the past.
Sullivan said we cannot dwell on the past, however. As in driving a car, too much focus on the rear view mirror will inevitably lead to a crash. He urged classmates to be drivers, leaders, and initiators. "On you depends the future of America. Act worthy of yourselves."
"The world will be a better place with you behind the wheel. Godspeed, class of 2002, and drive safely," he concluded.
Sullivan, from Hanover, Mass., won a competition to be speaker. He received a bachelor of arts degree as a triple major in leadership studies, political science and rhetoric and communications studies. He was the first speaker under a new university policy of inviting current students and alumni rather than external speakers to address the graduates.
Sullivan is the immediate past president of Richmond College Student Government Association and winner of the most significant contributor award of the class of 2002. He also was named leader of the year by Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society for Virginia and North Carolina and was a finalist for ODK national leader of the year.
Alumna Melanie P. Healey, a 1983 Richmond graduate and vice president-feminine care North America global business unit for Procter & Gamble, told the class of 2002, there were three things she had learned since graduating.
First, "You cannot have it all." Therefore, "you need to decide what is really important," she said. For her, it's "love, happiness and health."
Second, "Right choices often are the most difficult ones to make." Remember, she warned, "Someone is always watching your reactions."
Finally, "You almost always know what the ethical and moral choices should be. Surround yourself with a few close friends who believe in what you believe in, and work for the best company {in terms of values} you can."
When Healey, who is from Brazil, graduated in 1983, her parents could not attend the ceremonies because of a disastrous economy in their country. At today's ceremonies, Healey welcomed and thanked her mom and dad, Heather and Michael Liddle of Rio de Janeiro, who were in the audience.
Receiving an honorary doctor of science degree was Russell A. Barkley, professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Richmond alumni David Ting Kwok Ho and Marcus M. Weinstein received honorary doctor of commercial science degrees.
The university awarded Presidential Medals to Martha Carpenter and Lewis T. Booker. Carpenter is an alumna, member of Richmond's board of trustees and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville. Booker is senior counsel with Virginia's largest law firm, Hunton & Williams, and a substitute district judge for the Commonwealth's 13th Judicial District. He is an alumnus and trustee who served three terms as rector (chairman of the university's board of trustees).
Richard A. Mateer, who is retiring as dean of Richmond College after 36 years of service to the university; and Robert L. Burrus Jr., rector of the board of trustees, received Trustees' Distinguished Service Awards.
D. Chris Withers, who is retiring as vice president of advancement after 32 years at the university, received the Trustees' Distinguished Service Award at a retirement dinner on April 18; and alumnus Georg Gerson Iggers, author, historian and survivor of Nazi persecution, received an honorary doctor of letters degree in October.