Class Note 1997

Can you believe it’s been 22 years since we walked across the stage in front of Baker Library to collect our diplomas and begin the next chapters of our lives? You may recall Paavo Lipponen ’64, the former prime minister of Finland, addressed our graduating class. I am sure he imparted some wisdom, but I can’t recall much of the speech.

Fast-forward more than two decades to world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s insightful Commencement address to the class of 2019, in which he reminded the audience in a Dartmouth-specific way that “every struggle for reform, innovation, or justice starts with a voice in the wilderness.” He also challenged the new graduates: “Promise yourself that when you find your power, you will use it thoughtfully, with restraint, and with good intention.”

I asked classmates what that sage advice means to them. Here are some responses.

Jennifer Tudder Walus: “Help others and be kind, whether in life or in business.”

Tim Redl: “Think before you act or speak.”

Camille Barreto: “Make it count, be humbler, and be kind.”

Emily McConnell: “ ‘Use your power for good and not evil,’ but said more gracefully. I think it’s a beautiful way to balance the idea of valuing yourself and taking up space in the world with the idea of being conscious and supportive of others.”

Mayank Keshaviah: “Yo-Yo Ma’s remarks at Commencement bring to mind the fact that, while we give honorary degrees to those who didn’t attend Dartmouth but whose contributions to the world were positive and impactful enough that we would invite them to be honored on graduation day with those who did attend Dartmouth, we might also use the same occasion to remember those who did go to Dartmouth but who have not embraced the old ‘Twilight Song’ pledge to ‘keep [their] hands from shame.’

“So perhaps Dartmouth should consider awarding dishonorable degrees to alumni who have disgraced the name of the College because of their activities in the world.

“ ‘Let us promise one another/In the silence ere we part./We will make our lives successful,/We will keep our hands from shame/For the sake of dear old Dartmouth/And the honor of her name.’ ”

Check out Yo-Yo Ma’s full speech at www.news.dartmouth.edu/news/2019/06/2019-commencement-address-yo-yo-ma.

Take care and please send me your news.

—Jason Casell, 10106 Balmforth Lane, Houston, TX 77096; jhcasell@gmail.com