DePauw's 540 Graduates Hear from Congressman Lee Hamilton '52

May 23, 1998

May 23, 1998, Greencastle, Ind. - "Already you have learned of the days that are no more and how quickly life moves on," United States Congressman Lee Hamilton '52 told DePauw University's graduating Class of 1998 today. "I cannot believe that it was 46 years ago that I received my degree from DePauw University," Rep. Hamilton told the 540 graduating seniors. "You sit only a few feet from me, but almost half a century separates us. I remember a world I have known; you hope for a world you will change."

Rain drove the 159th annual commencement ceremonies inside to Neal Fieldhouse. There, the University awarded 24 bachelor of music degrees; 516 students received bachelor of arts degrees. Fifty-one members of the graduating class were elected into the Phi Beta Kappa national scholastic honorary fraternity. Four were elected into Pi Kappa Lambda, the music and scholastic honorary society for music students. 

Hamilton, who has served 33 years in Congress, is retiring at the end of this term. Today, he was presented with the Old Gold Medal, the highest honor given for exemplary and meritorious service to DePauw. (image is below left)

The University also presented two honorary degrees. Ken Bode, departing from DePauw to become dean of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, received an honorary Doctor of Journalism degree. J. Warren Perry '44, founding dean of the School of Health-Related Professions at State University of New York in Buffalo, received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Six retiring faculty members were honored at the ceremony: Agnes Porter Beaudry, professor of romance languages; B.L. Garrett, professor of psychology; Darryl E. Gibson, associate professor of German and lecturer in computer science; Ernest H. Henninger, professor of physics; Ted Katula Jr., associate professor of health and physical performance; and Ned B. MacPhail, professor of education.

Speaking of the future, Hamilton stated, "Its greatest attraction is the sheer challenge of it, struggling to find solutions to the great issues of the day. In this enterprise there is room for you, for your intelligence, your innovation, your idealism. Victories come hard and they come slow. In that, public service can be frustrating. Hard-won gains can erode or slip away, but when they come your rewards will be without comparison."

Lee Hamilton also provided the commencement address at DePauw in 1971. Learn more in this previous story.

(photos by Marilyn E. Culler)

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