A final farewell

Seven-thousand one-hundred-twenty-one students said goodbye to IU at Saturday's commencement ceremonies.\nThe ceremonies took place at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Assembly Hall. \nGraduates from the Kelley School of Business and the Schools of Education, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Law, Music, Public, Environmental Affairs and Social Work participated in the 10 a.m. ceremony. Graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and Schools of Continuing Studies, Informatics, Journalism, Library and Information Science and Optometry took part in the 3 p.m. ceremony.\nFormer first lady Judy O'Bannon gave the commencement speech at both ceremonies.\nIn his first commencement address since his inauguration, IU President Adam Herbert encouraged the new alumni to transform the world.\n"We face a national health care crisis, a rise in terrorism, an AIDS pandemic and astonishing rates of world hunger and environmental degradation," Herbert said. "The environment in which you will live, work and lead will require you to adapt to these changing times while holding firm to unchanging values. Success in this quest will require the remarkably creative powers of the mind, a strong work ethic and a never-ending search for answers to challenging questions." \nHerbert also urged the Class of 2004 to take responsibility for their own destinies.\n"Go forth with a spirit of boldness," Herbert said. "Do not let uncertainty shake your confidence."\nIn addition to the degrees presented to departing IU students, O'Bannon received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters and IU Professor Emeritus of Geological Studies Haydn Murray also received an honorary doctorate.\nStudents reacted to graduation with mixed emotions. While most students were excited, many felt more like spectators than participants.\n"I didn't feel like I had a big part in the ceremony. I felt like I was just sitting there watching it," said David Lizzo, a graduate in Jewish Studies.\nCarter Ploszek, a Telecommunications graduate, agrees.\n"I think it's more for the parents. With all the money they've put into it, (they like) seeing their kids succeed," Ploszek said.\nThe student reaction to the speeches was one of apathy.\n"The speeches were really long. Judy O'Bannon is a great woman -- no disrespect -- but her speech was a little on the long side," said Jermaine Miles, a graduate in Telecommunications.\nPloszek said the ceremony didn't seem to hold student interest.\n"I thought it was pretty boring," Ploszek said. "A lot of kids sitting by me weren't paying attention. They were talking on cell phones and reading magazines."\nPloszek said the best parts of the ceremony were the unorganized elements.\n"The cool part was there were about 10 beach balls flying around between the students during the ceremony," Ploszek said.\nGraduates seem to agree however, while the ceremony was tedious at times, it was an exciting occasion.\n"I thought that even though they didn't call our names like they would in high school, it was a great honor," Miles said. "It was really exciting because you pass people on campus, you see them in bars and then you're sitting next to them at graduation. It's the last official time for people to come together."\n-- Contact campus editor Karen Green at kamgreen@indiana.edu.