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Commencement
Frank Deford's Commencement Remarks
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May 22, 2011
Washington College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2011 at commencement ceremonies Sunday, May 22. Legendary sports writer Frank Deford gave the keynote address and received the honorary Doctor of Letters. Dr. Tadataka Yamada, who heads the Global Health Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, received the honorary Doctor of Science. Two chemists, James Bonsack '53 and Kenneth Merz '81, were awarded Alumni Citations, and Professor Kate Moncrief, chair of the English Department, received the Alumni Association's Award for Distinguished Teaching.
George Washington was on hand to present the College's highest honor to environmental studies major Rachel Field. Anthropology major Lisa Jones took home the $61,000 Sophie Kerr Prize.
Dr. Tadataka Yamada greets Kazuko Aso, whose father was the President of the Association of Medical Doctors in Japan. Aso's brother-in-law is a former Prime Minister of Japan. Noriko Narita, WC's lecturer in Japanese, made the introduction.
College President Reiss oversees his first Washington College Commencement.
The honorary degree recipients, Frank DeFord and Tadatake Yamada, relax before the ceremony.
Ed Nordberg '82 brings greetings from the Board of Visitors and Governors.
Writer Frank DeFord delivers the keynote address...
... and receives the honorary Doctor of Letters.
The Class of 2011.
Professors Terry Scout, Jeff Chaffin and Rick Locker listen to remarks.
Sarah Holland receives her degree in economics and political science.
President Reiss awarded 250 undergraduate diplomas.
College Trustee Nina Houghton presents a diploma to her granddaughter, Nina Horstman.
Biology major Katelyn Malchester receives the Gold Pentagon Award.
WC's Chief of Staff Joe Holt'83 M'98 receives the Gold Pentagon Award.
Lisa Jones accepts the Sophie Kerr Prize.
Mike Mason was awarded the Louis L. Goldstein Award.
Meaghan Moxley accepts the Eugene B. Casey Award.
Mikhail Zaborskiy collected several prizes, including the Henry Catlin Medal.
George Washington arrives on horseback...
... to present the Washington Medal.
First Lady Elisabeth Reiss leads students in singing the alma mater.
Christine Wade congratulates Kate Moncrief upon winning the Alumni Association's Distinguished Teaching Award.
Diplomas at the ready.
Dignitaries gather before the ceremony. From left, Dr. Tadataka Yamada, College Trustee Larry Culp '85, President Mitchell Reiss, Frank Deford and James P. Bonsack '53.
Alumni Association President Tim Reath '96 (center) poses with the two alumni citation winners—James P. Bonsack '53 (at left) and Kenneth M. Merz '81 (at right)—and their spouses.
The platform party before the ceremony.
The 25th Reunion Class prepares for the processional.
International flags line the walk leading from Dunning Hall.
One of two alumni citations for excellence in chemistry was awarded to James P. Bonsack '53.
Chemist Kenneth M. Merz '81 also received an alumni citation for excellence.
Dr. Tadataka Yamada encouraged students to work to address issues of inequity around the world.
George Washington presents the College's top prize to Rachel Field.
It's official!
Families and students celebrate the beginning of the next chapter in their lives.