Commencement 2003 Celebrating our graduates Archived article from Jun 2, 2003 By Carla Cantor   Honorary degree recipients President Richard L. McCormick conferred approximately 10,822 degrees at the university's 237th anniversary commencement ceremonies, which linked past and future in a reaffirmation of Rutgers' core values. "Today we express and affirm our university's values both ancient and modern, and the most fitting way to do that is to celebrate our graduates. They are the most recent expressions of the values we cherish – equality of opportunity to learn, freedom of inquiry and service to society," McCormick told the graduates, their families and friends gathered on a rainy Thursday morning in the Louis Brown Athletic Center for the May 22 universitywide commencement. McCormick noted that this year's graduates had worked hard to earn their degrees and were "well-prepared for the challenging work and programs of study to which they have now chosen to devote themselves." "Today we express and affirm our university's values both ancient and modern, and the most fitting way to do that is to celebrate our graduates." University President Richard L. McCormick addresses the Class of 2003 Photo by Nick Romanenko "None of today's graduates would be here without the support of family and friends," he added. "Rutgers appreciates and highly values what you have done to support those who are graduating today." The president asked the audience for their help in ensuring that Rutgers can continue to offer an excellent education to future generations. "This means joining with us in asking the elected officials to support Rutgers and to restore the university's budget, which has been proposed for a 12 percent cut effective July 1, 2003," McCormick said. "Those cuts, if enacted, will reduce the numbers of students we can admit and will threaten the quality of education available to future Rutgers students." Joseph J. Seneca, university vice president for academic affairs, also congratulated the graduating scholars on their academic accomplishments. "Class of 2003, this is your century! It stretches before you with all its challenges, joys, inevitable disappointments and opportunities," Seneca said. "But what you have always is the foundation of your Rutgers education to seize this century before you." In addition to presenting the students with their degrees, McCormick granted honorary doctorates to three distinguished guests: Janet Lippe Norwood, former U.S. commissioner of labor statistics; Herbert D. Schimmel, renowned collector and business leader; and Peter Seligmann, a respected conservationist. A fourth honorary doctorate was presented to Dr. Benjamin Carson at ceremonies May 23 on the Camden campus. This year, an estimated 7,500 students received baccalaureate degrees and some 3,322 received master's degrees and doctorates. While all degrees were officially conferred at the universitywide event, most graduates received their diplomas at more than a dozen separate convocations held May 21-23 on the New Brunswick-Piscataway, Newark and Camden campuses. Rutgers graduates had the opportunity to hear several notable speakers at the various schools and colleges. In Newark, Gov. James E. McGreevey called upon graduates to keep their talents and knowledge in New Jersey. "Our state can be the engine of the new economy," said McGreevey. But, he added, "We need your help and hard work, your passions and enthusiasm, to achieve our dreams." On Voorhees Mall in New Brunswick, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Rutgers College Class of 1975, urged the 2,290 Rutgers College graduates to "think out of the box" about their futures and to use their education wisely. "Education is mankind's most enduring and endearing asset. Treasure it, nurture it, share it and invest it in a better future for yourself, for your children and for those who will come after you," Ralph said. Ida L. Castro, commissioner, New Jersey Department of Personnel, who holds degrees from the Graduate School-New Brunswick and the School of Law-Newark, addressed some 705 graduates of Douglass College. "You are so fortunate to have attended Douglass," said Castro. "You will join a long line of women who, each and every day, make a difference within their careers and community." At the School of Business-Camden, Marvin Samson, president/CEO of SICOR, shared his philosophy of the key factors for a successful life and career: integrity, passion, listening and learning, open-mindedness, creativity and willingness to work. He reminded the graduates that "there is something useful you can learn from every person you meet, if you open your ears and your mind." 2003 honorary degree recipients Benjamin Carson, M.D. – Doctor of Science Carson transformed himself from a youngster grappling with the poverty of his native Detroit into a prominent physician and best-selling author. Embracing education as the key to success, he earned degrees from Yale and the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Today, he is director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and a role model for youth around the world. Janet Lippe Norwood - Doctor of Laws A graduate of Douglass College and Tufts University, Norwood served 12 years as the U.S. Commissioner of Labor Statistics and three years as chair of the Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation under four ideologically distinct presidents. A respected economist, she is known for her nonpartisan professionalism and her intellectual honesty, integrity and fairness. Herbert D. Schimmel - Doctor of Letters Schimmel amassed the first American collection to focus on fin-de-siecle French literature and art in general, and on the art of Toulouse-Lautrec in particular. Over four decades, his private collection of paintings, drawings, prints, posters, books, art nouveau furniture and decorative arts grew to more than 8,000 objects, the largest of its kind in the world. A vital resource for scholars, it has been featured in exhibits throughout the world, including at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum to which he has made considerable donations in art and financial support. Peter Seligmann - Doctor of Science A graduate of Cook College and Yale, Seligmann has championed the cause of living in harmony with the environment. As director of the California Nature Conservancy, he launched and completed the nation's largest statewide land conservation program. In 1987, he co-founded Conservation International, which is dedicated to conserving the earth's living natural heritage and global biodiversity.

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