The class of 2003 was treated to "Peace Pops" ice
cream bars and some pointed political remarks during the
College's 108th Commencement on May 18. Ben Cohen and Jerry
Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream company,
were the senior class's choice as keynote speakers, and they
shared their vision of socially responsible business with
the graduates and their guests. Jerry Greenfield recalled
his childhood friendship with Ben Cohen and described how
the pair parlayed a $5 correspondence course in ice cream
making and a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont,
into a multimillion-dollar corporation.
As the business grew, however, "We found that
we were becoming businesspeople instead of ice cream people," recalled
Greenfield. "We were spending our time talking with lawyers
and accountants and hiring people and firing people --- not
making ice cream and scooping it over the counter to our
friends." Rather than become just another corporate cog in
the economic machine, he said, "We decided to make [the business]
something that we were really proud of --- something that
supported the community, supported the environment, and supported
our employees."
Photos are also in a Commencement 2003 photo
album Photos by Tom A. Mike and Shai Eynev Photography |
 |
Ben Cohen illustrates a point with a can of BBs (above); a
grad illustrates an appreciation for ice cream (top).
 |
