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Page 11
Campus Review
December 12, 2013
imbued the entire Commencement, as
Hynes asked the two full-house audiences
to reflect on the memory on Mandela in
his introductory remarks before both cer-
emonies.
Franklin, who mentioned that she had met
Mandela once during an official visit to
Cape Town (“The only time I’ve ever
been speechless,” she commented.), stat-
ed that he would be remembered for cen-
turies to come, because of his persever-
ance, intellect and vision. She urged some
240 graduates of the colleges of Arts &
Sciences
and
Information
and
Mathematical Sciences at Clayton State to
recall and follow the example and quali-
ties Mandela exhibited throughout his
long life.
“He devoted his life to public service…
He did not give up… He fought for free-
dom and preached peace and reconcilia-
tion,” she noted. “He was not just coura-
geous, smart and visionary, he had the
equanimity to believe that everyone had
the right to be respected, whether they
agreed with him or not.”
Franklin
especially
emphasized
Mandela’s compassion, humanity and
humility, noting that he had the compas-
sion to understand the Afrikaners even
though he fought them for years.
Franklin urged the graduates to keep those
qualities in their toolboxes, saying, “it is
humanity and humility that is required in
21st Century America.”
Concluding her address to a standing ova-
tion, Franklin segued from the transfor-
mation that Mandela had effected in
South Africa to the transformation that
has taken place in America since she grad-
uated from high school and college in the
1960s, prior to Clayton State’s founding
in 1969… a point that fit perfectly with a
University renown for its diversity.
“You can be here today because someone had
taken a chance, taken a chance that Clayton
State can be integrated… black, white,
Hispanic, Asian, international,” she said. “In
that time America has transformed itself, now
you have to be the transformation.”
The 9 a.m. ceremony for the colleges of
Health and Business, featured Hill pre-
senting the approximately 250 graduates
with three points that would contribute to
their futures. The first noted that they
were graduating in a state with boundless
opportunities for a career. Hill’s second
point was about change, a concept that
would end up fitting well with Franklin’s
later message.
“The one constant about life and business
in change,” he said. “Keeping up with
change is a challenge you will face
throughout your life. As you continue, the
pace of change will be constant and unre-
lenting.”
Finally, Hill noted that, in addition to their
academic training, the life skills the grad-
uates learned at Clayton State would serve
them well in their jobs and throughout
their lives.
Commencement, cont’d. from p. 1
Commencement Fall 2013