The first week of June is an especially poignant time for me, as SCAD sends ingenious, inventive and hard working graduates into the world. As I mentioned in my remarks to the SCAD Class of 2011, SCAD is truly a global, borderless family of artists and designers, each possessing a unique personal story, yet all drawn to SCAD because of a shared passion for art and design, for a world where imagination reigns and anything is possible. These qualities are evident throughout the year, in student projects and exhibitions that span campuses, in classroom discussions over Skype, in collaborations with companies around the globe. SCAD’s diverse culture is magnified during commencement time, when we reflect on the year’s milestones, hear from our outstanding graduates, listen to the cheers of family and friends, and see the joy on the faces of the entire graduating class. Of course, this year’s commencement speaker, the peerless Whoopi Goldberg, helped make those smiles wider still.Getting Whoopi to SCAD Hong Kong, SCAD Savannah and SCAD Atlanta in three days would have required more logistical planning than a G-8 summit. The first graduates of SCAD Hong Kong didn’t mind, though. SCAD students are pioneers, and those in Hong Kong are intrepid and daring souls who, as part of the initial class of SCAD Hong Kong, helped shape and define the campus for future generations of students. I was overjoyed to add the two SCAD Hong Kong graduates seen here to the international family of SCAD alumni on June 2. Their commencement marked another historical moment for SCAD.
One day later, in Savannah, I hosted a luncheon for outstanding graduates at SCAD’s Gryphon Tea Room. In the presence of SCAD Trustees, staff, faculty, friends and family, SCAD Savannah Salutatorian Lauren Lenart and Presidential Medalist Amy Paige Condon shared the many ways a SCAD education has transformed their lives. Their heartfelt stories brought tears to many eyes, including mine. A similar scene unfolded at SCAD Atlanta, where Salutatorian Morgan Alexander touched everyone with his journey as a nontraditional student in the painting and sculpture programs.
Finally, June 4 arrived … the day that students and their families had long awaited. I watched as 1,700 graduates, alive with the anticipation of receiving their degrees, streamed into the Savannah Civic Center, some as early as 7:30 a.m. They adjusted their caps and gowns, sought out friends, and positioned their families in the perfect viewing spot. The ceremony started. I spoke to students about their borderless ambition and the boundless promise of things to come, sentiments echoed in the speeches of SCAD Savannah Valedictorian Keia Barua of Mumbai, India, and SCAD Savannah Excelsus Laureate Ben Frisch of Williamsburg, Virginia. Then, Whoopi came to the podium. All was quiet. She amazed and delighted as she expounded on her own artistic travels and detailed the ways in which performance has become her language, a way for her to express herself and communicate with the world. Always be you. Don’t let anyone make you into a sheep. Sheep just follow, she told graduates, encouraging them to be true to themselves.
As the applause died down, SCAD honored Whoopi with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, and degrees were conferred on the SCAD Class of 2011. Shortly after, I headed north to preside over commencement activities for SCAD Atlanta. With the sun still burning bright at 6 p.m., nearly 350 students and their families filled the Georgia World Congress Center to hear about SCAD Atlanta Valedictorian Georgia Kloss and SCAD Atlanta Excelsus Laureate Hailey Lowe’s adventures and fulfillment at SCAD. Again, Whoopi hushed the crowd. I wish you art. I wish you creativity. And the one thing you have got to have: I wish you heart, she gently conveyed to resounding applause.
And the joy of commencement weekend at SCAD didn’t stop there. The Monday following her appearance at SCAD, Whoopi donned her cap and gown on The View, where she spoke glowingly of her time at the university. It seems she was as inspired by the graduates – by their talent and intention – as all of us at SCAD were inspired by her. You can see a clip of the show here. Whoopi’s generous spirit certainly helped make SCAD Commencement 2011 one for the books. I extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Goldberg for making the journey to SCAD, and I offer a thousand congratulations to the SCAD Class of 2011. Go forth. Innovate. Create.
