Mitchell talks at multi-faith Baccalacureate

On a campus known for its diversity, the commencement-weekend Baccalaureate Service Sunday afternoon was a fitting end to the University's academic year. The ceremony, attended by approximately 1,000 people in the Palestra, featured observations of several faiths and speeches from students and alumni alike. University Chaplain William Gipson opened the service, but the call to prayer -- sung by Sarra Tlili, a graduate student in Middle Eastern Studies -- came from the opening verse of the Muslim Koran and was delivered in Arabic. Other faiths were represented by several of this year's graduates. College senior Karen Klieger read a Jewish folktale, Engineering senior LaShanta Johnson presented a passage from the New Testament and College senior Rajeev Ramchandran read from the Bhagavad-Gita, one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. Graduating Wharton senior Andy Kline, president of the class of 1998, addressed his fellow graduates on the subject of "hope and expectations." "We sometimes get lost in others' expectations of us and our own expectations of success," he noted. "There's nothing wrong with that. But we must never lose sight of the bigger things in life, such as happiness, fulfillment and hope." University President Judith Rodin -- who began her term when members of the class of 1998 were freshmen -- levied praise on the graduates for their past work and future prospects. "When I look backwards I see four years of young men and women full of promise and potential," she said. "I see budding scholars. I see students concerned about our community. I see all of you -- students who are leaders in academics, the arts, athletics and community service." But it was University Trustee Andrea Mitchell, chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC, who delivered the most direct challenge to the graduates in attendance. Drawing upon her experience as a female in a male-dominated news business, Mitchell told the students that growing up as she did was a "very different experience." "The challenge for you -- both men and women -- is to invent a better way," she said. "Be mediators, helping to channel ideas into constructive compromise. Hold onto your passion for justice." Despite the impassioned oratory of the speakers, the service suffered from several logistical difficulties. Like September's freshman convocation and April's Spring Fling concert, the Baccalaureate suffered from the Palestra's poor acoustics. Due to the excessive heat, many audience members were seen fanning themselves with their programs.