What They Said
Excerpts from Commencement speeches
Linda G. Toohey
Skidmore Board of Trustees Chair
When you first arrived at Skidmore, I'm sure many of you only had a vague vision of this day, but from that day to this, we the Skidmore community have been observing your growth, your strength, your passion, your creativity and your swelling intelligence. In a very few moments we will be extremely proud to call you alumni.
Philip A. Glotzbach
Skidmore President
There is much to celebrate today about what you have done to reach this point in your life, and there is much to anticipate about what you will do tomorrow. The paths you choose will be uniquely yours. And at the same time, you will always be connected, in so many ways, first of all to everyone in the Class of 2016 but also to everyone in all those classes that have come before you, as well as those yet to come.
Emanuel Ax
Grammy-winning classical pianist
Bernice Johnson Reagon
Scholar, singer, and activist
Miles Calzini '16
President of the Senior Class
As human beings, we yearn for home. It's natural and everyone does it. But the thing no one tells you is that you can have more than one home. And while I will never lose my love for my Vermont home, I have made another home right here in Saratoga.
Addison W. Bennett '16
Senior Gift Co-Chair
We've asked, "what at Skidmore do you care about?" Is it relationships with professors, your favorite clubs or events, opportunities on student organizations, chicken finger Friday, those two times Stephen Colbert has mentioned Skidmore on national TV in the past 4 years, or affording the chance to attend a college like Skidmore to everyone who deserves it? For me, it’s all those things and more.
Carmen Lin '16
Senior Gift Co-Chair
As a first generation college student and the oldest child of a Chinese immigrant family, I understand that money does not always come our way so easily. Attending Skidmore for the past 4 years was, for the lack of a better word, truly a gift. It was due to the relentless love and hard work of my parents and the generosity of the Skidmore community that I’m here today.
Kate Graney
Associate Professor of Government
Director of the Gender Studies Program
I can guarantee you that each of your faculty who are gathered here today, like myself, has a deep and sincere wish that each of you will take with you from Skidmore not just the ability to achieve what you want in life, but the wisdom and the discernment and habits of mind and heart to think deeply, slowly, and meaningfully about what you want in life and why you want it.
Sibyl Waterman Haley '71
President of the Alumni Association
I have some words of advice for you: slow down. Before you leave this campus, pause to remember who you were. Slow down, and look at your friends, your professors, your families. Don't race away too quickly. Slow down and take a moment to let it all sink in.