May 15, 2009

Purdue graduates encouraged to serve, collaborate with others

Engineering student celebrates
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Córdova spoke to candidates in Purdue's colleges of Liberal Arts and Science during the first of four spring commencement ceremonies this weekend in Elliott Hall of Music.

More than 5,790 students were to receive degrees during ceremonies shown live via Webcast at mms://video.dis.purdue.edu/graduation

"Yours is the first generation to insist on alternative energy, sustainability and green technology," Córdova said. "With your social conscience, you said to us, 'We can do better.' And then you showed us how."

Education graduate decorates mortarboard
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Córdova said that before these graduates arrived at Purdue, there were about 1,800 student volunteers in the Boiler Volunteer Network. This year, more than 6,500 students got involved.

"And what you did was important," she said. "You brought joy to our older citizens; you repaired houses and restored hope in the wake of natural disasters; and you made sure preschool children understood both the power and pleasure of books, because you took the time to read to them."

Córdova said the students have proved to be engaged citizens, and they will now help find answers to the world's extraordinary challenges because they leave Purdue with more than a degree.

"Your acts of goodwill have built character," she said. "And now you are equipped with finely tuned minds, and we trust, the ambition to use them and to share your thinking."

She said that in a few moments, the graduates will march up one side of the stage as students and walk down the other as scholars. It's a proud moment for the graduates, their families and the entire Purdue community, Córdova said.

"As Purdue alumni, you will forever carry with you your Purdue degree; it will only increase in value," Córdova said. "Our university has an exceptional reputation, and now that reputation belongs to you. You can be proud to have accomplished a personal academic goal and you have committed to causes larger than yourselves."

Graduate student earns degree
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She urged students to continue to work with others - across disciplines and dogmas - and nurture the collaborative spirit they found on campus. While the graduates will leave campus, Córdova encouraged them to remain part of Purdue as loyal alumni.

Córdova said that when the graduates return to Purdue, there will be transformations, some obvious but others not easily visible.

"Purdue will have impacted the world in new ways, delivering profound changes in health care, energy technology, education and public policy," she said. "Many of these transformations will come about from collaborations between colleges and institutions, companies and corporations, and federal organizations."

Purdue leadership continues to be felt throughout the world and the universe, Córdova said.

"Drew Feustel was launched into space to repair the famous Hubble telescope," she said. "Soon two more Boilermakers, David Wolf and Mark Polansky, will be launched to rendezvous with the International Space Station.

"Today is your launch, graduates. It's official: it's time to take off. Ladies and gentlemen, watch for these Boilermakers. They are going places."

Writer: Christy Jones, 765-494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: France A. Córdova, president@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

PHOTO CAPTION:
An engineering student celebrates having received his diploma during graduation ceremonies on Saturday (May 16) on the Purdue campus in West Lafayette.(Purdue University photo/Andrew Hancock)

A publication-quality image is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/spring09-grad3.jpg

PHOTO CAPTION:
A student from the College of Education has her mortarboard decorated with the ABCs and 123s during graduation ceremonies Saturday (May 16) in Purdue's Elliott Hall of Music. (Purdue University photo/Andrew Hancock)

A publication-quality image is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/spring09-grad2.jpg

PHOTO CAPTION:
A graduate student crosses the stage to receive his master's degree from Purdue President France A. Córdova during spring commencement at the Elliott Hall of Music on Saturday (May 16). (Purdue University photo/Andrew Hancock)

A publication-quality image is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/spring09-grad1.jpg

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