The 126th Commencement of the University of Illinois - Diane Sawyer

Big announcement and then I'll take it. Thank you very much. I got it. I'm going to do it. We'll have 10 or 15 minutes of music at the beginning of this before anybody even says anything from the podium so. You've got plenty of time. Actually I guess he must have stopped my tape because we're going to be a little bit over 2 o'clock. When I did that announce I did that weather warning at about 1:30 I think you must stop the tape. It's going to be after 2:00 o'clock. Ladies and gentlemen the hundred and twenty sixth commencement exercises will begin in two minutes. We ask that you please take your seats

if you. This is WRAL Urbana celebrating 75 years as a broadcasting service of the University of Illinois. Good Sunday afternoon I'm Alex Ashlock It's about a minute past two o'clock and we welcome you to WLS coverage of the University of Illinois one hundred twenty six commencement exercises which will include a commencement address by Diane Sawyer of ABC News as AM 580 celebrates its seventy fifth year broadcasting we're proud to be able to continue a tradition of broadcasting the UI commencement. I'm speaking to you this afternoon from the Assembly Hall Jerry Wood is our on site engineer Brian Beale is at the control board back at the station and Gregory Hall a reminder that if you're

tuning in for today's A Prairie Home Companion That program will air in its entirety beginning at 4 o'clock this afternoon and that will be followed by ALL THINGS CONSIDERED at 6:00 p.m.. Before I tell you a bit more about this afternoon's commencement Here is some weather information the Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for northern and central Indiana affected this Sunday afternoon and evening until 7:00 o'clock Central Daylight Time. Hail to one and three quarter inches in diameter thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 miles per hour and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas in the immediate AM 580 severe weather coverage area of a severe thunderstorm watch includes the following Indiana counties Benton fountain Montgomery park typical new vermilion and of Warren remember a severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in a close to the watch area. Keep an eye on the sky for threatening weather conditions. And stay tuned to AM 580 for the latest weather information and possible warnings again a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for northern and central Indiana until 7:00 p.m. this Sunday evening

here in the Champaign Urbana area this afternoon and early tonight we may have some thunderstorms redeveloping and some of those storms may be severe toward the evening with damaging winds and hail. A high temperature this afternoon will be between 80 and 85 degrees it was about 78 at the station when I came over here just before 2:00 o'clock. Occasional thunderstorms tonight in Champaign-Urbana heavy rain and severe storms are possible again. Lows the low tonight between 60 and 65 tomorrow. Again a chance for some morning showers and thunderstorms otherwise mostly cloudy and cooler. High in the lower 70s. I won't have access to severe weather information here at the assembly hall but if any severe weather develops during the course of the broadcast this afternoon we will have that for you from the station and policy requires me to read the severe thunderstorm watch announcement every half hour so I'll be breaking in to do that as well trying to pick a good time to break in with that information. And we have a fire alarm going off here in our broadcast area at the assembly hall as far as Jerry and I know we're not on fire so we think

it's a malfunction so if you hear a bell going off in the background that's what that is. Well this afternoon's commencement is the second of two ceremonies taking place today this morning at the Assembly Hall candidates in the colleges of Applied life studies communications law Liberal Arts and Sciences veterinary medicine the School of Social Work the Institute of labor and industrial relations and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science receive degrees this afternoon candidates in the colleges of agricultural consumer and environmental sciences commerce and business administration Education Engineering in fine and Applied Arts will be receiving their degrees. Individual colleges have also held ceremonies across the campus this weekend something like 31 different ceremonies going on on the Urbana-Champaign campus this weekend. Today Speaker today's commencement speaker Diane Sawyer is a news correspondent and co-anchor of ABC Primetime Live program she will receive an honorary degree along with four other dignitaries today. So we are joined ABC in 1909 and in addition to her work on

Primetime Live she is co-anchor of the program turning point at ABC show Sawyer has won several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast journalism. Her report on racial discrimination in American society won the grand prize in the Robert F. Kennedy journalism awards. Prior to joining ABC Sawyer spent nine years at CBS where she co-anchored the CBS Morning News and 60 Minutes also receiving honorary degrees today are William Karns a retired president and chief executive officer of Beatrice foods. Rudolph a Marcus winner of the 1992 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Robert L. Metcalf professor emeritus of Entomology and the former head of the University of Illinois duology department and Arnold Weber former president and current chancellor of Northwestern University the University of Illinois Alumni Association also will present three alumni achievement awards today receiving those awards are Jerry Colangelo president and CEO of the NBA Phoenix Suns John a Georgia's chairman and

CEO emeritus of the International Paper Company and Robert Novak a well-known syndicated columnist and political commentator. And somewhat regular our frequent focus 580 guest in the background right now you can hear the University of Illinois symphonic band with James Keane conducting as a degree candidates make their way into the assembly hall the seats of which are just about filled with family and friends this afternoon. Soon we will be hearing the singing of the national anthem Greetings from the Board of Trustees greeting for Greetings from the University of Illinois President James Stewart who yesterday received an honorary degree at his alma mater Purdue and also Greetings from the alumni association. Chancellor Michael Aiken will preside over this afternoon's ceremonies which we anticipate will end and wrap up just before 4:00 o'clock. So now we invite you to sit back and enjoy with us. W-why allows traditional broadcast at the University of Illinois commencement exercises on the Sunday afternoon May 18th 1997.

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it was. God. I would like to welcome you to the hundred and twenty commencement exercises at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please stand as we join the glee club the women's glee club and the black course in the singing of the national anthem followed by the posting of the colors by the Pershing rifles. I in.

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On behalf of the faculty and staff of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I offer congratulations to the class of 1997. One. It is a special privilege for me to participate in today's commencement exercises. Those of you who are graduating probably did not realize that I too am a member of your class. I joined this campus in 1903 just weeks before many of the graduates and their families here today were moving close stereos computers and other items into the residence halls. Unlike most of you that fall. I had to learn my way around campus meet countless new people and of course learn

to sing the alma mater. The past four years have been challenging but still fulfilling ones for me and I'm certain that they have been equally rewarding for you. Although some of you will stay here at Illinois to continue your studies. Many of you will soon begin careers in business education government and other fields. Whatever path you have chosen I know that the degree you will receive today has prepared you to become a leader in the 21st century. This will be our last occasion to give you any advice you might say about time. There are four simple observations that I would like to offer you. First always take pride in the fact that you attended and graduated from one of the premier universities not just in the United States but in the world. The University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign. Thanks. Thank you no matter where you travel employers and colleagues alike will recognize the value of your Illinois education. Second never stop learning. When I graduated from college the most advanced technology that I used was a manual typewriter. When you arrived on this campus just four years ago. Mosaic the first well browser which had been developed on this campus but the National Center of Supercomputing Applications and its successor Netscape had not yet been distributed commercially. Now I imagine that most of you use such technology today daily. In fact such browsers are now ubiquitous and even a bit dated. Reacher search have since added audio capability plus retrieval systems that

automatically found information that one might want to see and right here on the U of I campus Scientists have created those a IC which incorporates video on the world. Imagine how one day you will be telling your children and grandchildren that you remember the days when we still had to use desktop computers and even telephones. The dramatic changes in energy Net technology just during the four years that most of you have been students here are indicative of the dramatic rapid pace of change in just about every field. As future leaders of this state this nation and the world. You absolutely must continue to add to the knowledge you gained in your time here at Illinois. Your diploma is not simply a receipt for a product you purchased

but rather it is instead a promissary note that requires you to maintain a level of expertise in your field and keep up for the rest of your life. Third give back to your community. Help those who have not been as fortunate as you. Many of you have already begun your own tradition of public service. You and your classmates volunteered more than 100000 hours in this community in the past year alone. As you move to other cities or even other nations get involved. Help those who are less fortunate than you and use your education to make this world a better place for yourself your family your neighbors and those who are less fortunate than you. Fourth and finally never forget the time you spent here at the

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earning your degree in another hour or so. You will become an alumnus or an alumni of this great institution. But you became a member of the Illinois family that day in August 1993. When you first arrived on this campus although you may be leaving this campus after today we hope you will stay in touch with the university for the rest of your life. Join the alumni association. Come back for homecoming or any other time of the year. Encourage good students to come here for their college education and call on your former teachers for advice and support. You are part of a proud tradition and that tradition will become even greater because of your achievements and successes in your future careers. What you do over the next 40 years will help to shape your community. This state this

nation and even the world for generations to come. We are confident that you will represent us well. But we know that you have the knowledge the true ambition and drive to accomplish great things. We shall eagerly follow your careers and celebrate all of your future successes. Congratulations and our best wishes to each member of the class of 1997. Thank you one. It is my pleasure now to present to you Mrs. Susan graven horsed chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Thank you very much Chancellor again. Good afternoon everyone.

And now to the graduates of 1997. On behalf of my colleagues on the University of Illinois board of trustees it is my great pleasure to bring to you our greetings and our congratulations on this very special day in your lives. I am honored to join with you and your families and your friends in celebrating the culmination of your achievements here. By the attainment of your degree from this outstanding university each of you has demonstrated a high level of intellectual ability and self-discipline. Also important to you is the rich diversity of different people and different cultures which you have experienced here. Both aspects of your education have certainly prepared you well for many of the complexities that you will certainly encounter in a demanding and increasingly interconnected world. In a new century your challenges will be unprecedented. But we have confidence in your

abilities and the future leadership that you will provide. You are a wonderful graduating class and on this May 18th you will begin a new phase in your lives. You will leave this campus intellectually prepared to embark on promising careers and fulfilling lives. Many of us on this platform truly envy you. For this is one of the most exciting times in one's life. But speaking as one who has been involved in the worlds of business and politics and public affairs and family life let me urge you never to leave behind the spirit of a caring community that I hope you have found during your years here. Many of society's deepest problems will yield just as quickly to compassion and thoughtful concern as they will to ideas and concepts. You are bright. Intelligent young men and women and that is good.

But also let the spirit of good will guide you in your interactions with others. You will find that it can certainly work miracles. We hope that you will not forget these important years of your life that you have spent at this campus. We hope that you will return often. And remain actively connected with the University of Illinois. Please remember always that the University of Illinois stands behind you ready with its support and its encouragement. Again congratulations. We extend to each of you our heartfelt wishes. For every happiness and every success in your lives ahead. Thank you. Good afternoon you're listening to the University of Illinois commencement exercises from the assembly hall on the Urbana-Champaign campus. We'll have Greetings from President James stoup all next here during the ceremonies but first the storm prediction center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for northern and central Indiana affected this afternoon and evening until 7:00 o'clock. Hail to one and three

quarter inches in diameter thunderstorm wind gust to 70 miles per hour and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas in the immediate AM 580 severe weather coverage area. This severe thunderstorm watch includes the following Indiana counties Benton fountain monger Marie park. Typical new vermilion and a warrant. Again this watch is in effect until 7:00 o'clock tonight. We have had some warning severe thunderstorm warnings in western Illinois and in northern Indiana so far. President James ducal now addressing the graduates at the assembly hall. Is your day. It's a day unlike any of you will ever again experience and one that I hope you will long remember with joy. It is a day to celebrate your achievements. For each of you is prove to yourself and the world that you are among the best this country has to offer. We in the university community be Joyce with you and with your families and friends as being Mark which you have accomplished during your years at this campus. My heartfelt congratulations to

each and every one of you. Today you are being graduated from a university that ranks among the very best institutions of higher education in the world as a chancer has noted. You are joining more than 350000 product of this campus and you are entering a world of both opportunity and short comings. A world that needs your talents and all the knowledge and understanding you acquired here. For today as you accept the honors bestowed upon you you step into a world that ask you to accept also the obligations of educated women and men. Most of you were born long after America emerged from the ashes of World War 2 as a global power. Nor do you remember the post-war efforts that rebuilt Europe and Japan. Nor do you recall the Iron Curtain. The nations numbing assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. are the traumas of Watergate and the wars in Korea

and Vietnam. Yet these are not historical irrelevancies for you. Because your world and many of its values were shaped by the legacies of those events. Your generation is noticeably different from those that preceded you and your lives as you influenced the ideas and ideals of a new millenium will be quite different. So on this day that closes one chapter in your biography and begins another. I urge you to consider some obligations and challenges that your generation offers the future hope. A quality that must be renewed frequently. If society is to improve itself to live in ways that do not betray that hope. You obviously have good minds a wealth of knowledge and a will to persevered when challenged. If you did not you would not be here with us today.

As you use your mind and energy to fulfill your individual dreams however you strive to use them also to make the world a better place for others especially for those less fortunate. You are now about to become alumni of a university that contributes substantially to society and expects you to do so as well. Do it to the best of your ability and you will experience a joy that's hard to match. Remember that wherever you go and whatever you become this campus with its all mater opening her arms to you will always be your home. Come home often. Today however look to the future. May it be productive and filled with happiness. If you leave here with my best wishes for success in the world that you will help create. Thank you.

It'll Thank you. I am now pleased to present to you Mr. Patrick Daley of the class of 1972 Mr. Daley is the president of the University of Illinois alumni association and will bring greetings from the association. Mr. Daley thank you. As president of the University of Illinois alumni association it is truly my privilege to first of all congratulate you. But more importantly to actually welcome you as a lawn. And I'm doing that on behalf of the over four hundred seventy five thousand of your fellow alumni throughout the world. The University of Illinois has prepared you well. And it will always be an important part of you and will seek to stay connected

to you as your professional lives unfold. A key part of that ongoing contact will be possible through membership in the alumni association. It is the United States strongest at 140000 strong in and 85 chapters around the globe. Since 1867 alumni have been instrumental in helping to shape the future of this university the members of the class of 1870 to the very first graduating class of the University of Illinois. Tell this story best as evidence by their forming the University of Illinois alumni association from which this university continues to benefit. To this day. As you begin the rest of your lives we will be beginning our one hundred twenty sixth year during our previous a previous century and a quarter.

The association has established a tradition of excellence in alumni relations and we look forward to you joining with us to help us to continue to build upon this legacy in all ways. Please please remember just like the university we too are here to serve you. So once again congratulations good luck and Godspeed. Thank you very much. Thank you. Howard Thomas Dean of the College of Commerce and business administration will present a candidate for an honorary degree Dean Thomas. Oh.

William Collins chief executive attorney for land through pest mantle and very good friend. Bell your innovative ideas and personal integrity have become a model of leadership that will endure for generations. You are widely acknowledged as a pioneer in the use of friendly mergers and acquisitions as a means of rapid and successful growth of. Under your more than 20 years of leadership the Beatrice organization grew from less than 250 million in sales to five point six billion in sales. Indeed the field of mergers and acquisitions has become an important component of corporate practice as

well as a field of academic endeavor. Horton researched at business schools worldwide. Your distinguished record of accomplishments as an attorney Chairman. And Chief Executive Officer of two major corporations is matched only by your dedication to humanitarian and educational efforts. You have been a trusted counsellor and advisor to the University senior leaders for many years and your generous contributions have supported both academic programs and capital projects. Your leadership in inspiring other alumni and friends of the university to follow your example has made a substantial impact on this campus that will enhance the educational experience of students for years to come. Therefore in appreciation of your achievements in business and public

service and upon the recommendation of the Senate of the Abana champagne campus it is a great honor and privilege to present you to the president of this university for the honorary degree of Doctor of humane letters. A few upon these recommendations and by the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois I confer upon you William G. Carnes the honorary degree of humane letters and token where we invest you with this hood. And I present you with this diploma. A

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If. Larry Faulkner provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs will now present a candidate for an honorary degree Provost. Diane Sawyer a journalist broadcaster presidential system throughout your career in reporting the news you have dedicated yourself to helping your audience become better informed about the world around them. You proved yourself as an exceptional reporter while working with W L A K Y TV in Louisville Kentucky and utilize your journalistic skills as a presidential staffer. And again when you assisted former President Richard Nixon in the writing of his memoirs during your nine years at CBS News you held a variety of vital positions including co-anchor of the

CBS Morning News Correspondent for both political parties national conventions and the first woman co-anchor co-anchor of the prestigious 60 Minutes. At ABC News you have further distinguished yourself through your work as co-anchor of the innovative Primetime Live. You have investigated significant topics ranging from discrimination and war to public health and safety. And you and for millions of television viewers on current issues as substitute anchor of World News Tonight and Nightline. For your accomplishments you have been honored with the Emmy Awards by George Foster Peabody Award and many others. And you're a member of the Select broadcast magazine Hall of Fame in appreciation of your achievements in the field of broadcast journalism and upon the recommendation of the Senate of the Urbana champagne campus. It is a great honor to

present you to the president of the university for the honorary degree of Doctor of humane letters. Thank you. I found these recommendations in by the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. I confer upon you Diane Sawyer the honorary degree doctor of humane letters in token where we invest you. This is good. And present you with this. Song. Ed. The combined courses will now sing fanfare for festival followed by the state song Illinois.

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You. Know. Our speaker today is someone most of us probably feel we

already know. For many years we have invited her into our homes to tell us what is happening in the world. From her days as a floor correspondent at the 1980 presidential conventions and a co-anchor on 60 Minutes to her current roles as co-anchor of Primetime Live. And I think her of the turning point Diane Sawyer has become one of the nation's best known television journalist. In fact it is hard to imagine that she was not born with the ability to land exclusive interviews with the likes of Fidel Castro the Duchess of York a newly elected President Bill Clinton. But it really wasn't many years ago that she too was a college student. Those of you who struggle through a biology course while you were earning your degree can relax a little. Ms Sawyer says that she found that subject

difficult too. But it didn't prevent her from succeeding in life. And from what I understand if she were to offer one suggestion for improving life for college students today you will be happy to hear it would involve a permanent ban on all 8 am classes. Thank you. In a recent article about her Miss Sawyer is described by a close friend as someone with tremendous curiosity and a great sense of adventure. In fact it is those very qualities that make her an excellent choice to offer you some thoughts about what faces you as you leave Illinois. Since Diane Sawyer received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College she has worked as a local television station reporter. Held overriding of positions in the Nixon admin and administration served as a member of the Nixon

Ford transition team assisted Richard Nixon and the writing of his memoirs worked as a political correspondent and the State Department correspondent for CBS News co-anchored the CBS s Morning News been named the first female co-anchor of 60 Minutes served as substitute anchor all World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and co-anchored of variety of news magazine programs for ABC. Diane Sawyer is a self-described egghead who writes her own scripts and considers it a job requirement to tackle risky interviews. She uses the knowledge she gained in college to help millions of people lead safer healthier and richer lives. I am delighted that she took time from a very busy schedule to be with us today and we are all you get to hear her words of advice for you. Please join me in welcoming Diane Sawyer

thanto. Thank you thank you very much Mr. Chancellor Mr. President. Mr. Karnes It's an honor to be in your company. On our faculty I salute all of you. But I want to begin by saluting the people who probably have the most reason to throw their hats in the air and cheer today and to feel they are beginning a new life. How about a cheer a graduation day cheer for the parents and supporters of the class of 1997. Thanks. Thanks and for all of you who are graduating I turn in earnest to something I read that Robert F. Kennedy said once to a room much like this one.

He looked out at all the young students like you brimming with uncertainty and promise so smart so good so ready for so much. And he told them and this is a quote you were about to enter the world of adulthood. The world of commitment and responsibility and effort and I have one piece of advice for you. Don't go oh are you crazy. What are you doing. Stay here where it's fun. In fact of course I've learned this morning and I've learned from walking around campus that I don't think any of you are really ready for the world outside. I don't think you know what you're going to face when you get there because for one thing what are you going to do. Unlike the University of Illinois you discover that in the real world sometimes there's a parking place. And what are you going to do when you're confronted with an overwhelming and

dizzying array of choices. Because I don't how to break this to you but out there they have Coke and Pepsi in the vending machine. I guess. Brace yourselves. Out here there is an average American who makes twenty six thousand nine hundred thirty nine dollars per person a year. An average American who is twelve thousand five hundred dollars in debt an average family that will have 2.0 three children who will watch seven and a half hours of television every day. The number one worry. With all that television out of the American people is education. In fact this is a true poll. A recent poll of the American public discovered that 12 percent of Americans polled

think Joan of Arc was no was white. It always worries me when some of you don't laugh. I think we're going to have to track you down it's very worrying. But in fact of course this is your day. Graduation is here all the coughing in the all nighters and all the sweats before all the exams has bought you a real beginning. I know a lot of you have debts I know a lot of you are confused about what to do next and sometimes those hills out there to climb look daunting. But thanks to all of those who have supported you and your own achievement you are the people in running shoes with the wind at your back. Did you know that less than one quarter of adults in America have had the privilege of a college education. And in 1993 an American male college graduate was earning Eighty

nine percent more than an average male high school graduate. Not only did you make it but you have the luxury of choice you have the luxury of roads in all directions and one thing I know for sure is this. If you find the path of blazing purpose if you find something you love that is larger than yourself you will be fulfilled you will have as William Blake wrote in his famous poem a chariot of fire. Now I can't tell you what your destination is in that chariot but I thought this morning I would give you just a sort of survival guide a kind of handbook ten very brief things I promise to tell you about the first year out in the wilds of reality things I learned the hard way about getting started. OK survival tip number one for going into the real world is

bring a map with you. A map by the way of yourself. Don't listen to others for directions about who you are. I have a perfect illustration of why this is a bad idea. Something that happened to me a while back. I was in a store in New York City and all of a sudden the clerk came streaming toward me and he was jumping up and down and he was squealing and he said I just can't believe it I can't believe it this is so exciting and people were Grad gather it around maybe 20 30 people gathered around and at the top of his voice he said to me are you who I think you are. And I well I puffed up a little bit and I said I suppose whereupon he shouted I loved you when out of Africa. I did the honorable thing and said Robert Redford was great and slinked away.

Bring your own bat. And I want to make sure that you have pinpointed three things they were the three things my father said to me when I stumbled back from college had no idea what I wanted to do and he said let's just begin here first tell me what you love and then tell me the most daring place to do it and then tell me if that place has heart. If you can be guaranteed that in some way you're serving others. It's what they say about businessmen that managers do things right. Leaders do the right things. So I told my father I loved writing the television seemed adventurous and it was a place for me to talk about what I thought really matters. So I pass his formula on to you know what you love and even if you can't begin the work you love find what you love

in the work you're doing and it will be like a star that will guide you to the next place. Survival tip number two getting the job. This comes from a former dean of the Columbia Journalism School who had a one sentence graduation speech and I passed it on to you. Tell the kids he said when they go out to get a job. It is not who they know that counts it's whom they know. Survival tip number three. Life on the open highway. You're going to fall on your tush if you're doing anything interesting at all so you might as well start to enjoy it. And I mean literally in my case at least fall on your tush. I had the most in auspicious beginning of anybody in the history of broadcasting my first assignment. I think a sadistic one now that I look back was to cover then Supreme Court Justice William O

Douglass on a five mile hike through a place called Red River Gorge Kentucky. And so I got my camera and I got my pen and my pencils and I was suited up in every possible way my coordinated journalism outfit I thought that was very important. And I started out on the hike and in the middle of it. This is not a cartoon. I said to the justice. If you just stay there I'm going to back away and get this one shot of you. And sure enough I went over the side of the gorge feet first all the way down into the river. And the only piece of footage I brought back that day was the justice leaning over the cliff and saying Are you new with this deer. Just remember Thomas Edison nine hundred and ninety nine tries to get it right he said. Genius What's that about. I failed my way to success. I've always been haunted by a scene I remember from a trip into the Amazon. We had

hiked for days and we were going to meet a tribe that had very little contact with the outside world and when we got there and I looked around at the children with the festering sores the constantly eroding environment the tractors moving and these people paralyzed unable to move. I had trouble communicating with them someone turned to me and said you don't understand in this language the word to change is the same as the word to be sad. In your language change is the way to an open door. Failure I fully believe is Fate's frying pan trying to get your attention going you on the head so you can learn and move on. As important someone said is the will to succeed is the word will to learn what it takes to succeed. Number four be aware of the things that go on. In the night. I don't know if evil and ignorance are in fact twins but I can tell you

this of all the people I have interviewed and I have interviewed murderers Charles Manson I have interviewed bigots and racists and tyrants like Saddam Hussein and the one thing they have all had in common is profound ignorance about the world. Sometimes it's willed sometimes it's pathological. But if you don't keep growing and learning the danger is not just being boring. The danger is being unwittingly cruel. Thank you. All right thanks survival tip number five is for the guys in this audience alongside like all the women believe all the women. All right. If you want Lee. I'm passing on to you a trade secret and I don't know why I'm doing it but I'm a good heart. This is what for a guy who is interested in girls.

There is simply one thing you should know every girl falls for a guy who quotes poetry. This is your big chance. I don't mean that Julio Iglesias Michael Bolton sort of you know stuff. I mean real poultry from real people like John Donne and Rilke and the route and now that this morning I just want to assure you I gave a different poem to write down and I'm giving this one to the afternoon so you won't run into each other if you're quoting around. But write this down and try it. Some men loved your moments of glad Grace. But one man love the sorrows of your changing face. Now if that doesn't work with a girl I give up. Now that survival tip is for the women in this audience alone. The first is in Sandra Day O'Connor said to me once. I wish someone at my graduation class had told me. Women in particular have got to laugh more when it

gets tough. And I think of Sarah Ferguson's tales of her life and Diana's life in a palace where they felt it was nothing but reproach and loneliness and retreat to believe in bingeing on sausages and the only thing that saved them she says with that they dress up climb in the Royal Rolls Royce drive it around the golf course screwing in lightbulbs that's what they call the royal wave. Screwing in a light bulbs like Thelma and Louise saying we can laugh and survive this. Number two for women. I owe this to Erma Bombeck. If you want to be happy in life never again try on a bathing suit in front of a three way mirror. Thanks I tell you it is an experience that cannot be survived. I'm here to testify. And the third piece of advice for women is simply

this. Never ever give an inch to a you have a guy who quotes poetry ever ever right about. Now. I don't six seven and eight rather are two assignments and just because you're out in the world don't think you have no homework. This is home work. I'm going to give you a couple of statistics and they're yours to change 80 percent six percent of American households have both couples working and yet one half one half of the day care at home and in institutions being provided to America's children is inadequate. Come with me some day and see what life is like for those children. Our children who have rubbed all the hair off the back of their head because they had nothing else to do for babies who were never picked up during the day for children lying sick in their own vomit for hours because no one has time to pay attention.

Use your power your political power to get our communities businesses government and citizens to solve the problem of clean safe stimulating and proximate day care. Thank you. Yes. And I've got one more assignment for you and I know that some of you are environmental sciences and you're going to save the planet some of you are in education you have a lot to do but think about this one as well. In Canada in one year one thousand five hundred sixty one people were killed murdered with firearms in England six hundred sixty six in Japan. One thousand eight hundred eighty five and in one year in the United States of America twenty one thousand five hundred and ninety seven people were murdered. Do something about daycare and a nation drenched in its own blood.

And I will call each and every one of you in 10 years at home to see what you've tried. Number nine along the road. Take something great with you and my recommendation for something great is this. The word no as in you know I'm not the kind of person who hurts other people. You know I'm not the kind of person who devalues sex by casual sex. No it's not the kind of person who uses drugs because it wastes time. And time is on my side. No I'd rather save my money for some kid who has no shot of making it to college and help him or her rather than spend it trying to impress you. Let no stand sentry around the person you want to be. So. That's it. I'm finished. Now I know I told you I was going to give you 10

survival tips and I only gave you nine but the tenth survival tip is just this. Sometimes you have to give yourself a break and throw away the plan. Sometimes you have to be reminded that the sun could be outside that there's something cold waiting for you after a ceremony that there are hats to be thrown in the air. That may be as Socrates said an unexamined life is not worth living but maybe an unlived life is not worth examining and that of all the books that have been written. You've read it all the computations not one of them. Has given us the physics for the joy of being alive on a day like this. So I toast you. The class of night 97 and your journey toward the joyous know all those all nighters all that coffee all the narrow escapes and all those exams the courses completed the books savor the books Cray AMD your vitality your heart your

uncertainty your fresh and revolutionary hope facts forgotten wisdom indelible the arrows of desire to pack in your quiver running shoes for your feet rode straight ahead and your own journey in your own chariot of fire. Good luck. Thank you in. Diane Sawyer completing her commencement address at the University of Illinois one hundred twenty six commencement exercises at the Assembly Hall Good afternoon I'm Alex Ashlock Jerry would have the control board here Ryan Beale back at the studio. A reminder that the storm prediction center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for northern and central Indiana effective until 7:00 o'clock. Hail to one and three quarter inches in diameter thunderstorm wind gust to 70 mph and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas in the immediate AM 580 severe weather coverage area the following Indiana counties under this watch until 7:00 o'clock.

Benton found Montgomery park to pick a new broom. We shall now proceed to the conferring of degrees granted in course. Dean Richard our car will present the candidates for degrees from the graduate college. In this country there are more than 2000 institutions of higher education a grant bachelor's master's and doctoral degrees. Of those only a hundred to 50 are regarded as research intensive. And of those in turn very few are as research intensive as this campus at Urbana-Champaign last year x turn only funded Federals of the support totaled nearly a quarter billion dollars. The most important product of that research is our doctoral graduates. This year the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will grant nearly 800 doctorates ranking a second in the nation. I'm very pleased very proud to introduce some of these candidates who represent a very talented dedicated group of young men and women. Will the doctoral

candidate please rise. Of the. Eh Mr President upon the recommendation of the faculty in the Chancellor these candidates are presented for their doctoral degrees. Recipients of the highest are Negri awarded by the University of Illinois. It gives me great pleasure upon the recommendation of the faculty and by the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to hereby confer upon each of you the doctoral degree for which you have been recommended and I admit you to all the rights privileges and responsibilities there are to appertaining. My congratulations. The air of the air. I am in the College of Agriculture for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and agricultural economics drag on the clover.

And ing way. For the Doctor of Philosophy and Agricultural Engineering. Their funds on the. Jack Stone of aerogel. Do. Drawn came applause from. Sue us. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and animal sciences who were in a slump. Brant Rodger white Christian men shall run for the Doctor of Philosophy in crop sciences Jennifer Crawford. Thomas K. Hoffman Ronald L..

It's now our. Other let's cut. To keep. Philip Christopher Joyce of the story. Jeffrey Thompson. Lauren drop them live. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in food science and human nutrition in our and our. Life. Kong videos. They go as Alice. Jane says. In the human and community development. Grace Margaret Melinda.

It was a doctoral degree in natural resources environmental sciences Orlando F. McLean. To the degree in the traditional science. Jason Lee Emmert. Gang. You are in the College of Commerce and business administration for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in accountancy. Karl A. For Doctor philosophy in business administration and borders. She fed chair. And Cummings. Corpus James Mitchell.

They learned all the hammer. Brant Arthur has a way. Robert Leonard Holbrook Juliet Lee Lee and Joan Mitchell. Joan and Philip's. Mark W. Pruitt Robert II Roundtree. James and Schmidt. Sanjeev Troy Jefferson straight for the Doctor of Philosophy in economics. Benedictus karma. Stephanie See Smith.

In finance. Long chair. In the college of education for Doctor of Philosophy degree. ELEANOR HALL. Janice H. Altman. Mary Anderson. Diana Beck. Sheryl. Well. Very ambitious. DAVID HENRY. Jennifer C. Caldwell. Here on choice.

Why Barry. Mary Am I not Claire. Matthew Lamont. Hill gold. Francis tinnies Graham Greene. Millie Howard was George Henry Johnston. Moses quandary will come to you. Ellard Stephanie. Melinda. The the. Lindy Meyer. Know she called more.

Tennis well enough singer Mario Isabel to park. In June El Pembroke. Kirsten Marie Petersen. ROBERT DE Pete three. Margaret rock a. Young ball Tina B Scott. Of Stephanie Lynn Tatum the. Lenore tipping.

Robert tells. Olivia Watkins. Thomas James Watkins Jesse and Wilkins Frances McDonald. Williams. With a degree of doctorate in education. Randall Hodges James McAfee. And Palmer. Chandra Saunders. Michael. Warner. Karen L. sots now in the

College of Engineering for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. John Francis Winkler. Jang one in ceramic engineering Paul G. In civil engineering of ours. MAURICE. I'm shot. Our roof. Song. John Chang. Joel do cost say it in a shop. Carl see opening a file. TIMOCI a Kramer. Young Kyun Lin Wood.

Omar. For Assad and for all. Richard as such. For the doctor in computer science Luis Antonio that arose Michael A. Fossella. Michael seafood. Charles G point. There are cues where young can read. Andrew Marr Smalls Bradwell Miller. Henry J. Going home. Take Bill Potter.

The effects are in it. Generally it's a ton. William J. Hello Jane. Way for the Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering. More out of the on the on the on the by G. When them again go to guy. Why hang Chang. Carr on one child. If it were Thomas Foley.

The M guards. Muhammad got Ravi welcome sorry. For Nando Garcia Gonzales. Remember. Ronald W. groom quater. John C. Hall on the run Krishna Kumar. Mark James Lawson Burke. Daniel Michael Auberry. Chong Choi league. Ball. Are you in the struct NEA.

Sridhar Ramaswamy. Than you are Sharon. Stephen SEE Sullivan. Brant K. Whitlock. Chong chong. They'll be Zen Guingona. With a doctoral degree in the turtle's science SJ chase. Followed for a day. Matthew Henry frog. John. Cool. Among the newer underwear Octon.

James L.. Sure. Finding yet. For the Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering. Canis Eugene Burton normally they would ask around. For Stephen marker screen. ROBERT DE can't talk with Kelly on Coleman. Suresh. Joe you are wrong. Tyrone Martin. Orlando's sellers Jr.. Amp. The guy. I think he's ahead so far. Dennis Michael Smith. Mark call us Sri Ramos.

Richard Evander wall gang won the gentle shine. For the Doctor of Philosophy in physics Richard D. Of our own. Scott W. on them. Michael John too weak. Gregory a marker. Paul the rhyme. James I am very sorry. The doctoral degree in theoretical applied mechanics. Thomas A. Leak in the College of Fine and applied

arts for the degree of Doctor of musical arts Key's Ernest Patterson. For the aggrieved doctor of education in music education Carolyn K. Perkins Rodney. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in musicology Manuel the stubble of the. Very F word. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in regional planning. Some came from Alexandra Ortiz. The doctoral graduates who take UC. Yeah locked him.

How do you know a car will now present the candidates for masters degrees and advance certificate candidates for masters degrees in advance to ficus please rise. T Mr. President on the recommendation of the faculty the chance for these candidates are present for their respective degrees or certificates. It is upon these recommendations and by the authority vested in me by the board of trustees and with considerable pride and pleasure.

I do confer upon each of you the master degree or the certificate for Advanced Study for which you have been recommended and that you to all the rights and privileges and responsibilities there to have pertaining my congratulations to each of you want to do a. Thousand. I am busy. Candidates who have received University honors will be presented by Larry provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Well recipients of university honors please rise to receive their degrees. Thank you Ed Mr. President. The graduates I am about to present to you and to this audience have achieved a singular recognition. The university honors known informally as a bronze tablet honors are limited to those undergraduate

students who have demonstrated sustained academic excellence of a higher order to be eligible for this honor. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and must rank in the upper 3 percent of their colleges graduating class taking into account all work through the academic term prior to graduation. Because of their excellence and scholarship. These candidates names will be inscribed on a bronze tablet displayed in the main library. It's a delight to present them. Mr. President upon recommendation of the faculties of their respective colleges and the Chancellor these candidates who achieve University honors are presented for their baccalaureate degrees. Thank you probles thought there and congratulations to these scholars. It is upon these recommendations and by the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois that I confer upon each of you the batter's degree for which you have been

recommended and admit you to all the rights privileges responsibilities there are to appertain regulations. Thank you I am a bronze tablet graduates. Please be seated. Again it is for back a large degrees will now be presented in order of their colleges institutional age Jean-David sequin were present the baccalaureate candidate from the College of agricultural consumer and environmental sciences which was established in 1868 as the college of agriculture. When they are vanishing amping campers first opened its doors the cheeks of the candidates please rise. I am. Eh. Mr President on the recommendation of the faculty in the Chancellor these candidates are

presented for their baccalaureate degrees from the College of agricultural consumer environmental sciences University's oldest and newest College thank you to each sheet. I greet these candidates with great pleasure and pride and I am pleased to receive these recommendations of the faculty the dean and the Chancellor. By the authority vested in me by the University of Illinois I'm pleased to confer upon each of you The Bachelor of Science degree for which you have been recommended and I meet you to all the rights privileges and responsibilities there are to appertaining my congratulations. I end. With the graduates Please be seated. Do you know where you show Walter will now present the baccalaureate candidate from the College of Engineering which was also established in 1868. Well candidates for baccalaureate degrees of engineering.

Please rise to any have. Eh Mr President on recommendation of the faculty Chancellor. Pleased and honored to present to you this finest group of new engineering talent in the country for their baccalaureate degrees. Thank you to each other and for these new engineers strong in spirit strong in being an intellect and certainly strong in number. It is with great pleasure that I do accept these recommendations from the faculty the dean and the Chancellor. I am pleased to confer upon each of you The Bachelor of Science degree for which you have been recommended and with great pleasure I admit you to all the rights privileges responsibilities there are to appertaining. My congratulations engineers. Thanks.

Thank you we appreciate it. Dean Mildred Barnes Griggs will now present the candidates for baccalaureate degrees from the College of Education which was established in 1995. Doing great. Candidates from the College of Education please rise. Thank you Mr. President upon the recommendation of the faculty and the Chancellor. I present to you the most knowledgeable. Dedicated creative professionals in the world. For their best baccalaureate degree. Thank you Dean Griggs guardians of tomorrow's generations yet unborn. It is with great pleasure that I receive this recommendation from the faculty the dean and the

Chancellor and it is by virtue of the authority granted to be by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois that I confer upon each of you The Bachelor of Science degree for which you have been recommended at Michu to all rights privileges and responsibilities there are to appertaining. Congratulations to each of you. Thanks. NP. Thank you would please be seated. Kathleen Conley when our present candidate from the College of Fine on Applied Arts established. 31 Conlon. I have. Good wood the one we had led. The baccalaureate candidates for the College of Fine and applied arts. Please stand. At.

Mr. President upon recommendation of the faculty and the Chancellor. These candidates are presented for their baccalaureate degree. Thank you Dean Conlon. It is a great pride and pleasure that I do receive these recommendations from the faculty the dean and the Chancellor. And with pleasure confer upon each of you the baccalaureate degree for which you have been recommended to all the rights privileges responsibilities there to opportunity. Congratulations. Eh. Thank you all the graduates from the college a kind of tight arts. Please be seated. You know Howard Thomas will now present the backyard candidates from the College of Commerce and Business Administration slightly out of sequence established tonight to fifty. Thousand.

The candidates for the baccalaureate degree from the College of Commerce and business administration please stand was. Thank you Mr. President upon the recommendation of the faculty in the Chancellor. These candidates from one of the world's truly excellent colleges of commerce and business administration presented for the baculum baccalaureate degrees. Thank you Dean Thomas. It's with great pride that I receive the recommendation of the faculty the dean and the Chancellor. And it is by authority vested in me by the border by the only board of trustees that I with great profit confer upon each of you The Bachelor of Science degree for which you have been recommended and that you too all the rights privileges and responsibilities there are to appertaining. My congratulations. Thanks.

Thank you. Well the candidates from the College of promise and business administration are truly excellent looking people. Please now be seated and have. Captain Michael Barker were present the ROTC candidates Captain Barker all the ROTC candidates please rise. Thank you Ed thank you Mr. President. I am poised to present the ROTC trip and cadets who will be commissioned tomorrow into the United States Army Marine Corps Navy and Air Force at a separate service for

all of the members of the audience and your fellow classmates will join me in extending a sincere congratulations to each one of you for your accomplishments today and your dedication to this herbalist not only to this university but to our larger society. My congratulations to you to thank. I have. To say. We are pleased to have with us today members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois within the limits of the Constitution and laws of the state. The board of trustees is the governing body of the university. I will ask the members of the board arise to remain standing until all members have been introduced at which time you may greet them with your applause. First Susan Gregg unhorsed whom you've already met from like bluff and Mr. talking Wallace student trustee from St. Charles.

Also with us this afternoon or doc to see if you're manning vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Michelle Thompson secretary of the university. Ms Patricia Eskew vice chancellor for student affairs and Dr. Charles covert vice chancellor for administration and human research. Thanks. I now invite the class of 1997 to stand and move your tassels to the left side of your cups as a symbolic gesture that you are now alumni. Of the university of a lot o rā. Thanks. I would now like to ask the families of our graduates to stay and so we may recognize and applaud

you for the support and encouragement you have given. These graduates throughout their academic careers. Thank. The remainder of the audience please rise and join the class of 1997 in singing our Elmo motto. Hail to the Aryan. Rule. Rule.

The Be. It would you please be seated. One hundred and twenty six commencement. Of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will conclude with the recessional of the platform party. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the graduation of the class of nineteen ninety seven. It was. And we do thank you for joining us this afternoon listening to WRAL as coverage of the one

hundred twenty six commencement exercises from the University of Illinois Assembly Hall. My thanks today to Gerry Wood the engineer on the site here and to Brian Beal at the control board in our studios in Gregory Hall. Coming up at four o'clock which is in about 11 minutes we'll bring you today's program. A Prairie Home Companion in its entirety. If you're expecting ALL THINGS CONSIDERED at 4:00 we'll have that program for you at 6:00 this evening here on the information advantage AM 580. A reminder that the storm prediction center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for northern and central Indiana which is in effect until 7:00 o'clock tonight. Hail to one and three quarter inches in diameter thunderstorm wind gust to 70 miles per hour and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas in the immediate AM 580 severe weather coverage area the severe thunderstorm watch includes the following Indiana counties Benton mountain Montgomery park Tippett The new vermilion and a Warren. Remember a severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms in and close to the watch

area. Keep an eye on the sky for threatening weather conditions and stay tuned to AM 580 for the latest weather information and possible warnings. A severe thunderstorm watch in effect. For northern and central Indiana until seven o'clock this Sunday evening in the Champaign-Urbana area tonight occasional thunderstorms are possible with heavy rain and severe storms a possibility as well the low between 60 and 65 tonight winds becoming south westerly at 10 to 20 miles per hour. Tomorrow cloudy and cooler with a high in the upper 60s. Graduation is wrapping up here at the assembly hall we invite you to stay tune for a bit of music before we go to Garrison Keillor's program A Prairie Home Companion. Thanks for listening. I'm Alex National Signing off from the assembly hall on this Sunday afternoon. Thank you.

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Thank you. You. Public. Radio. International.

I'm John D at the Berto. And you're hearing echoes coming up in this hour the music of Richard

Bone. He's a simple systems been working at the outer edges of music for a few years now creating some pretty esoteric sound designs. You recently put out a new album which he jokingly calls ambient lounge music. It's called metaphysical Mambo but I think Ricky Ricardo might have a hard time dance with those. Things. Music from Richard Bone strong. We'll also hear from mastering indium Bonser a flute player GSC octave it's part of the soundscape coming up on echoes.