President Peggy R. Williams, Ben Cohen,
Jerry Greenfield, and Ithaca College board chair William
Haines applaud the newest alumni.
The Commencement ceremony began with William Haines, chair
of the College's board of trustees, welcoming the new graduates
as Ithaca alumni. Senior class president Maureen Devine joined her fellow
class officers to present President Williams with the class
gift of $26,000, a record amount which will be used for the
installation of a commemorative clock on the academic quad.
Devine urged her classmates to embrace
the people and experiences they've shared at Ithaca College,
and reminded them not to sweat the small stuff. "If there
is one thing that four years of tests, papers, and quizzes
has taught you, it is not to sweat the small stuff in life.
Find something in life to smile about, and share your smiles
with others. Sometimes, sharing a simple smile has the
power to change someone's life drastically. Don't ever
be afraid to use that power."
At receptions following the ceremony,
Ben & Jerry's "Peace
Pops" ice cream bars were served to graduates and their guests. 
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Ithaca
College president Peggy R. Williams focused many of her remarks on
the words inscribed on the medallions given to the graduates as they
entered Butterfield Stadium. (The complete transcript of her talk
is available at "Commencement
Speeches, 2003") This year's medallions bore a quote by Mahatma
Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
