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By Willa Jessee, May 23, 2005

Last updated: Monday, May 23, 2005 10:56 AM EDT

Graduation ceremonies at Wilson College were brightened by the presence of several young people in red caps and gowns. Children of women participating in Wilson's Women with Children program get to walk with their mother when she receives her diploma.

More than 100 students graduated during the 135th commencement ceremony, held Sunday afternoon on the main green of the Wilson Campus. Approximately 10 had their children with them.

After an invocation by the Rev. David True, instructor of religious studies, and a rendition of the National Anthem led by class song leader Lorrie Rejones, College President Lorna Duphinney Edmundson welcomed the graduates and their families.

President touts optimism

Edmundson told the class they were a special groups because "You arrived here with me, and we have had four years now of academics and service." She urged the students to leave Wilson full of hope and optimism and reminded them that the root of the word optimism is the Latin "opt," which means power.

The two class presidents also addressed the crowd. Women's College Class President Jennifer Chilcoat reminded her fellow students that as they left Wilson, they would be taking a part of it with them. She explained that participation in the traditions of the school had allowed them to form a bond with their classmates that would last a lifetime.

Deborah Dresser, president of the College for Continuing Education, echoed Edmundson, saying "Education plus integrity equals power." Dresser also congratulated her fellow students for reaching graduation despite hardships, saying "we all shine in spite of our fears," and went on to say "Every one of us is shining today because we have chosen to overcome our fears."

Tree given as gift

Chilcoat then presented the class gift of a tri-colored beech tree to Edmundson, along with a rose for her personal garden. Chilcoat said the gift was chosen because of student sadness after a copper beech had been cut down in the fall. Edmundson accepted the tree with delight, saying students "couldn't give this campus something more important" than a tree to replace the copper beech.

After presentation of the gifts, members of the Wilson Board of Trustees presented the Everett Pomeroy Trustee Award for Distinguished Service posthumously to J. Leslie Hicks. The award was accepted by Gladys Hick Nigro and Glen Hicks, the recipient's sister and brother. Gwendolyn Jensen, who was the 17th president of Wilson College, retiring in 2001, was also awarded a Trustee Award. During her tenure, a number of programs were initiated, including the Women with Children program, and the Richard Fulton Center for Sustainable Living.

Dean of Faculty Enid Burrows announced the Ann Meikle Eriksson Prize for the highest grade point average for the class had been awarded to Cora Licht, originally from Romania.

Two honorary degrees were conferred during the ceremony. Ruth Johnson Colvin was awarded a doctorate of humane letters for her work with literacy. Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers of America in the early 1960s. Since its founding, LVA, now called ProLiteracy Worldwide, has helped more than 400,000 people learn to read.

Astronaut speaks

An honorary doctorate of science was conferred on Dr. Mae Jemison, who gave the commencement address. Jemison, a physician and astronaut, was also the first woman of color to go into space. She served on the space shuttle Endeavor in September 1992 and is now the president of two technology companies that she founded.

Jemison sprinkled her speech with humor while addressing serious issues of world hunger and the role of science and technology in the world. She told the graduates "Graduation is all about transition and change," and reminded them of the power that comes when one recognizes that change is always present.

Jemison concluded by telling graduates that, in her opinion, "Ideas are like potential energy." She went on to explain that ideas are "really wonderful, but nothing will ever happen unless you use the energy."

Kids, moms congregate

The ceremony was followed by a reception on the lawn. Nycole Lyons, daughter of Candra Lyons, said she was pleased her mother had finished with college. She said she would also be going to college one day, but said she didn't know if it would be at Wilson or not.

Alexis Braun, who will be moving to Lansing, Mich. with her mother Nancy in the fall, said she was both happy and sad. She said it was good her mom had graduated, but "It's really sad that we are leaving all of our friends." Braun will attend Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.

Lisa Pregartner, who earned a degree in business and economics, began an internship at Letterkenny today. Pregartner and her son Andrew, originally from New Jersey, have lived in the Wilson dorms with the other Women with Children participants. Pregartner, who says "I can't believe I did it," added that her son enjoyed being part of her college experience, explaining "If it were up to him, we wouldn't be leaving."