Threats of inclement weather almost prevented 2002 College of Arts and Sciences graduates from receiving their diplomas last Sunday evening.
Instead of cancelling the event, administrators chose to cut short the Class of 2002's moment of glory by forgoing the traditional role call of 1900-plus names.
Nevertheless, graduates, families and friends were still treated to an hour of commencement conventions, complete with Pomp and Circumstance, a litany of speeches and even College Dean Richard Beeman's jokes about the Wharton School and Princeton University.
Keynote speaker and United States Deputy Trade Representative Jon M. Huntsman offered the Class of 2002 his words of encouragement by quoting a popular U2 song.
"Despite the rain, it's a beautiful day -- don't let it slip away," Huntsman told the graduates and audience members as he eyed the ominous clouds overhead.
In addition to advising graduates to try new things, to enjoy themselves and to be prepared and persistent, the 1987 College graduate emphasized the importance of cultivating diversity.
"The diversity of the Penn community is one of its assets," Huntsman said. "We need to view compassion as a commodity in times ahead and... to love and respect others."
2002 College graduate Lauren Bialystok -- the elected speaker of the senior class -- echoed Huntsman's words as she addressed her fellow classmates.
"The spirit of pluralism at Penn summons all of us to appreciate our own heritage while developing greater respect for everyone else's," Canadian-born Bialystok said. "From my particular vantage point, I've learned that we are all simultaneously outsiders and insiders."
Bialystok said that her undergraduate experience at Penn had given her the chance to explore new opportunities and gain a fresh perspective.
"I leave Penn today armed with a first-class education, a sense of community, and even -- contrary to my philosophical predilections -- a faint optimism," said Bialystok.
Bialystok -- a philosophy major -- confessed to the audience that she had a terrible sense of direction and added,"For, despite my weaknesses in the orienteering department, I found my way through the labyrinth to this graduation ceremony."
Following the lineup of speakers, Beeman announced to a booing crowd that a thunderstorm was rapidly approaching, and that graduates would not be able to individually walk across the stage. Instead, the Class of 2002 received recognition in their departments, as groups of students stood up when their major was called.
After the ceremony, some graduates expressed discontent with the decision to eliminate the role call.
"My whole family came to hear my name be read," College graduate Kriti Gwal said. "It was disappointing that they had to listen to speeches as opposed to hearing the graduates be recognized individually."
