JSC Confers 419 Degrees at Commencement

May 21, 2013

Johnson State College’s 146th Commencement took place Saturday, May 18, 2013, on the South Lawn of the JSC campus, overlooking College Hill. Of the 419 degrees awarded to graduates and undergraduates from 15 states and 13 countries, 12 were associate of arts, 1 was an associate of science, 287 were bachelor of arts, 12 were bachelor of fine arts, 35 were bachelor of science, 69 were master of arts, and 3 were master of fine arts.

This year’s Commencement speaker was Sue Minter, Vermont deputy secretary of transportation and Tropical Storm Irene recovery officer. Ms. Minter used the personal examples of her nephew, who was in the graduating class and who had moved to Vermont from the small African nation of Gabon at the age of 17 with little English; her travels to pre- and then post-Apartheid South Africa; and the resilience of Vermonters dealing with the aftermath of Irene to illustrate the importance of community. She urged the graduates to “go forward with pride,” adding, “Give of yourself whenever you can. Explore the world – and yourself – to find your passion. Become involved in what matters to you. Volunteer! Engage yourself in your work, but also in your community – however you define that.”

Graduating senior Adriane Morrison-Taylor, one of three student speakers, also urged her fellow graduates to find their passion, saying, “Please go confidently in directions that resonate with your passions and loves rather than obligations or fears. I’ve grappled with the decision of dedicating my work to a realm of medicine that is controversial in western medical practice. But my reality is that I would not feel right taking any other path. Please don’t hold yourselves to the conventions of our times, be innovative and passionate about the work you do.” Angela Smith, a graduate of the college’s External Degree Program, and Erin Antonioli, who received a master’s degree, also spoke.

The ceremony was recorded by Green Mountain Access Television.

CANDID PHOTOS FROM COMMENCEMENT are available here (password: badger) as well as on the JSC Flickr site and may be downloaded free of charge, for personal use only.

GRADUATE PHOTOS taken by Grad Images, a company not affiliated with JSC, are available for purchase.