598 Undergraduate Degrees Awarded at DePauw's 169th Annual Commencement

May 18, 2008

Also: Keynote Address by Debbie Bial and President Bottoms; Order Your Commencement DVD; Commencement Photo Gallery; [Download Audio: "John Schomburg's Complete Address" - 4111kb]

John Schomburg Commencement 2008.jpg May 18, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - [Download Video: "John Schomburg '08" - 809kb] "Throughout our four years, we have studied, volunteered, celebrated, cheered, argued, mourned, and rallied together," John L. Schomburg told fellow graduates of DePauw University at today's 169th annual commencement. Schomburg is the 2008 recipient of the Walker Cup, which is awarded to the senior student judged to have contributed the most to the University during his or her four-year college career. "We have pushed each other to become better students, to become better world citizens, and to become better people; all along the way getting to know individuals who will be lifelong friends," Schomburg declared.

A total of 598 undergraduates received degrees at today's ceremony, which took place under sunny skies and breezy conditions on the lawn outside historic East College.

"We are the individuals standing here today, not because we learned a lot of facts from books, but because we engaged with each other, because we learned from and were 2008 Commencement 3.jpg inspired by tremendous faculty and because we have been guided by our loving parents and families," noted Schomburg. He called upon his classmates to "celebrate the past four years -- the things we have accomplished, those we have had the privilege of learning from, and our friends who we have had the distinct pleasure to get to know over the past few years."

The senior from Edina, Minnesota, continued, "Throughout our four years, we have studied, volunteered, celebrated, cheered, argued, mourned, and rallied together. We have pushed each other to become better students, to become better world citizens, and to become better people; all along the way getting to know individuals who will be lifelong friends."

Schomburg told his classmates, [Download Video: "The Fortunate Ones" - 1804kb] "We are the individuals standing here today, not because we learned a lot of facts from books, but because 2008 Commencement Group.jpg we engaged with each other, because we learned from and were inspired by tremendous faculty and because we have been guided by our loving parents and families. We are the fortunate ones to have had this same experience over the past four years. We have grown intellectually, spiritually, personally, and professionally. In addition to learning our academic disciplines, we have developed timeless friendships, and values that will guide our lives. Our experience at DePauw has taught us not just to accept situations as we encounter them, but rather to assess and engage them in an effort to further our learning and improve humanity."

Schomburg took time to pay tribute to DePauw faculty members and President Robert G. Bottoms, who is stepping down as the University's leader after 22 years. Schomburg noted that he was all of 12 weeks old when Dr. Bottoms took the 2008 commencement thumbs.jpg helm at DePauw, and in the years since, "has improved DePauw by leaps and bounds and has been an inspiration to DePauw's students, faculty, staff and alumni."

In concluding his remarks, Schomburg stated, "As we get ready to leave campus for the last time as a student, and prepare to become an alum, I ask that you do the following: Thank your parents who have helped make your time here possible. Thank a faculty member who has inspired you to become the person you are today. And, remember your friends who you've shared such a tremendous experience with."

The keynote address was delivered in shared 2008 Commencement Walk 1.jpg fashion by Deborah Bial, founder of the Posse Foundation, and Robert G. Bottoms, who is stepping down as DePauw's president after 22 years. It is covered in this story, and another article details the three honorary degrees awarded in today's ceremony.