WPU Lesson: ‘Stand Tall’ ; Commencements Stress Citizens’ Role
By PATRICK TUOHEY, STAFF WRITER
WAYNE Tuesday’s commencement at William Paterson University included a dose of inspiration from the mayor of Newark and a senior who gave up success in business to teach children.
Cory Booker, who narrowly lost to former Mayor Sharpe James in 2002 but won the office last year, gave a powerful commencement address and received an honorary doctor of laws degree. Booker was the subject of the Oscar-nominated political documentary, “Street Fight.”
“Stand up. Because the world needs you. It needs your uniqueness, it needs your honor, it needs your love,” said Booker, who launched a reform plan for Newark for more police officers, improved city services and youth programs. “Stand up so that other people are inspired to stand with you.”
Laura Weinstein, 49, who returned to college just three years ago, spoke to her fellow seniors about making a difference despite adversity. Dropping out of college shortly after high school, the Ridgewood resident forged a career in information technology management but left it to teach young people.
“I believe in a world that needs people who value self- improvement; people who have integrity, ideas and courage to act on them,” said Weinstein, who earned a math degree and high school teaching certification. “Math teachers are in demand. Here’s something I can do well and it’s something there is a need for.”
The spirit of uniqueness Booker spoke about resonated with graduates like Alison Jones of Jersey City, a hopeful actress whose large family not only pushed her to get a degree, but piled into a church bus Tuesday to watch her graduate. And Geoff Ramkowsky of Fairfield, who wore a kilt beneath his gown and intends to do missionary work.
But Booker named one of the country’s top leaders in U.S. News & World Report, Esquire and other publications reminded the grads to fight for what they believe in: “I simply echo the words of my grandfather: Go out there and stand tall.”
Yet for Michael Blizzard, 36, of Paterson, graduating Tuesday was, he said, a matter of fate: His mother died of cancer 17 years ago Tuesday. And on Tuesday he said she with him in spirit.
“My mother was the bedrock of my life. When I lost my mother, I pretty much let everything go,” said Blizzard, who would eventually become a research coordinator. But about four years ago he enrolled at the university, and he earned dual degrees in English and psychology.
“I wasn’t worried about my ability to think critically, but I asked myself if I had the energy and the stamina. But I blended in,” said Blizzard, who organized a club at WPU for fellow honors students. He plans to study genetics in graduate school.
Kevin Donovan Jr., 26, of Clifton has, since childhood, been fascinated with Japanese culture, and on Tuesday he earned a degree in business administration with a minor in Asian studies. He heads to Japan in a few weeks to teach language studies.
“Excitement and a little uncertainty but a good kind of uncertainty,” was how Donovan described his post-college state of mind. “I have no regrets doing it in eight years. I’m leaving on such a high note.”
In all, 1,831 bachelor’s degrees were awarded at the outdoor event. Master’s degrees were to be conferred on 334 students in a separate evening ceremony.
Passaic County Freeholder Sonia Rosado, a former WPU trustee, also received an honorary doctor of laws degree Tuesday.
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E-mail: tuohey@northjersey.com
(SIDEBAR, page L10)
Fast facts
* Cory Booker is only the third mayor to govern Newark since 1970. A Rhodes scholar and Yale Law School graduate, he founded the non-profit Newark Now group that helps city residents transform their communities.
* Among the top majors in the WPU graduating class are education, communication and business administration.
* WPU is one of nine state colleges and universities and has an enrollment of almost 11,000.
(c) 2007 Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.