EDITORIAL: The success of graduation

The weekend's celebratory graduation events provided students with a memorable end to their Penn careers. This weekend's ceremonies ushered in the century's final group of Penn graduates -- the last class to earn their degrees before the year 2000. And the graduation events -- marked by highly distinguished speakers and the honorary degree recipients -- definitely saw the students out in style. As the sun shone overhead, the very air on campus was charged with the celebration and excitement of graduation. It was a weekend when students could bask in the glow of their academic achievements and stand proudly wearing their caps and gowns before family and friends. The top-quality speakers who attended graduation once again confirmed the University's status as a highly respected member of the Ivy League. At the University's 243rd Commencement the nation's chief financial officer, U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, told the approximately 4,370 graduates about the value of good decision making in the professional arena. In addition to Rubin's words of wisdom, students heard other noteworthy speakers over the weekend at the ceremonies for the individual graduate and undergraduate schools. New Orleans Mayor Mark Morial addressed the College of Arts and Sciences graduates; Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell made a surprise appearance and spoke at the Law School graduation; President of the Institute of Medicine in the National Academy of Sciences Kenneth Shire gave a speech at the Medical School graduation and First Union Corporation CEO Edward Crutchfield spoke at the Wharton graduate division ceremony. The speakers were not the only high profile names at graduation. The University bestowed honorary degrees upon a wide range of accomplished individuals including, tennis legend Billie Jean King; women's history expert Gerda Lerner; and Earl Reece Stadtman, a prominent researcher in the National Institute of Health. Our congratulations go out to the graduates and our praises to all those who made the weekend successful and memorable. The graduates will leave Penn to pursue success in the next millennium and we hope that Penn's graduation ceremonies continue to celebrate the University and the graduates.