Syracuse University seniors made their way to the Carrier Dome this morning under a light rain and left as graduates, completing their four-year journey.

Around 5,000 degrees were conferred at SU’s 150th Commencement Ceremony to a group of rambunctious degree candidates who tossed balloons, beach-balls, and even a life-sized blow-up doll in the shape of a woman. And after Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw proclaimed them graduates, they broke into cheers of ‘let’s go orange.’ ‘This was just magical,’ said Jose Vilson, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer science. ‘This is a lot better than I ever expected.’

The graduates’ families and friends crowded the stands, filling just over 13,000 seats.

‘It’s fitting that we end up in the dome,’ said Ken Totten, the father of SU graduate Jennifer Totten, recalling the ‘lunch on the turf’ that kicks off the year for freshmen and their families and parents’ weekend festivities in the dome. ‘It’s the same spot, four years later.’

Eric Fleming, a university scholar who received a public relations and marketing degree, spoke to those assembled about the shared discoveries that characterize a student’s time in college.

‘I remember it as if it were yesterday,’ Fleming said, recalling how he stopped on the quad after exiting an emotional gathering at Hendricks’ Chapel to reflect on students’ response to the 9/11 attacks.’We returned to the world that afternoon united by our membership in this SU community,’ Fleming said. ‘Each of us will choose our path ahead, but none of us will forget.’

Shaw joined his last group of graduates, receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

‘I’m not only giving up being chancellor, I’m giving this orange hat away,’ Shaw said, referring to his orange tam. Then, however, he tore off his signature cap to reveal an orange cabbie’s hat, which he said he would wear when he returned to teaching at SU.

Shaw encouraged graduates to build on their knowledge by applying what they learned at SU, to contribute to something greater through humanitarian service, and to broaden their priorities beyond wealth, fame or success.

‘Those are reward things, but most importantly, keep your loved ones in mind,’ he said.

Other honorary degree recipients included Joseph Lampe, chairman emeritus of the SU Board of Trustees; Jozef Zwislocki, SU distinguished professor emeritus of Neuroscience; John Slaughter, president and CEO of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering; and Mary Ann Shaw, SU associate to the chancellor and an active community development and service leader.

Delivering the address was Phylicia Rashad, an actress and active humanitarian, whose speech focused on the coincidence of today’s ceremony and Mother’s Day. Rashad’s role as Clair Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’ recently earned her the title of Best Television Mom in a nationwide survey.

‘The world that you live in needs you to create it,’ Rashad urged graduates. ‘So live in it, and create it with a mother’s heart.’

She defined the heart of a mother as flexible, resourceful, keen and intent on ensuring the well-being of the family.

‘Embrace the world and its inhabitants as a mother,’ Rasad said. ‘My great wish for all of you is that you understand that this takes great effort, and sustained and renewed commitment.’

She concluded her speech by urging graduates to celebrate life and their success.

‘May all of your futures be filled with beautiful sunrises and magnificent sunsets,’ she said. ‘And may you take the time to enjoy them.’And tonight, may you throw down and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate.’

Published on July 14, 2004 at 12:00 pm