By Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-4314
Posted 12-18-08
Chancellor Linda P. Brady celebrates her first commencement at UNCG Dec. 18.
GREENSBORO, NC – Dr. Annette Van, an assistant professor of English, had a confession to make.
“I really, really wish I didn’t have to work,” she told the 1,519 soon-to-be graduates and their families gathered Dec. 18 at the Greensboro Coliseum.
One approach to work for the similarly inclined, the one she has chosen, is to seek meaningful work. “Find work that you can really get behind and that allows you to accomplish at least some of the things that you would do even if you weren’t at work.”
Another path is to leave work at the office and “fill your non-working life with all the joy and love and laughter you can handle,” said the winner of the 2008 Alumni Teaching Excellence Award.
What about people who like to work? “To those of you work-enjoyers, I’ve got nothing,” she said. “I’m so not worried about you guys. You will all be okay and well-adjusted individuals.”
The university conferred 1,519 degrees during the commencement, the first officiated by Chancellor Linda P. Brady. The degrees – 1,021 bachelor’s, 421 master’s, 17 specialist in education and 60 doctorates – included those completed in August as well as the fall semester. Cheryl Tremble Smith received UNCG’s first PhD in special education and was hooded by her doctoral committee chair, Dr. Marilyn Friend.
Cheryl Tremble Smith, who earned UNCG's first PhD in special education, receives her ceremonial hood from Dr. Marilyn Friend.
In addition to Brady and Van, participants included Provost David H. Perrin; Dr. Rebecca Adams, chair of the Faculty Senate; Stephen Hassenfelt, chair of the Board of Trustees; Kathryn Bender a representative of UNC General Administration; Jeff Colbert, president of the Alumni Association; and Dr. Rebecca Saunders, associate dean of the Graduate School.
UNCG’s deans; Dr. Terry Nile, faculty marshal and mace bearer; and Stephanie Rinehart, chief marshal, also took part in the ceremony. The Commencement Brass and Chorus provided music. Gratia Wright spoke on behalf of the December graduating class.
Wright urged her classmates to remain true to their vision. “The road to success is seldom straight and often steep. It gets difficult. It tests our endurance. … That’s why vision is so vital. Without it, appearances like bear markets will frighten and apparitions will deceive. Vision enables us to endure these twists and maintain our trust without being overwhelmed.”
New graduate Wayman Mubaarak and Pat Shore Clark, an alumna of the Class of 1958, rang the University Bell at the conclusion of the ceremony. Ringing the bell at commencement is a UNCG tradition, a nod to when it tolled the institution’s first day of classes on Oct. 5, 1892.
The full text of Van's address, "Curiosity," is available online.
