Commencement at Skidmore College

Dear Seniors and Guests of the Class of 2019:

I look forward to welcoming you, on behalf of the Skidmore College community, to the College’s 108th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

We hope that when you read the schedule of activities for Commencement Weekend, you will be as full of anticipation as we are. My wife Marie and I especially look forward to your joining us for a reception Friday afternoon at historic Scribner House, our residence and the former home of Lucy Skidmore Scribner.

We are very proud to announce that at this year's Commencement ceremony, Skidmore will confer honorary degrees upon two extraordinary individuals:

Alan Lightman is an acclaimed author, educator, physicist and social entrepreneur. The professor of the practice of the humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the author of multiple books, including "Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine" and "Einstein's Dreams." "Einstein's Dreams" was selected as the Class of 2019's First-Year Experience reading assignment and informed engaging discussions regarding the relationships between people and time. Lightman also visited Skidmore's campus in fall 2015.

Joe Torre is Major League Baseball's chief baseball officer, a celebrated former manager with four World Series wins and a nine-time All-Star player. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 2014. In addition to his impressive baseball career, Torre overcame personal adversity and childhood trauma and has used his experience to help others by establishing the Safe at Home Foundation and Margaret's Place, organizations that help children affected by domestic violence.

Following a Skidmore tradition, a faculty member selected by the graduates will speak as well. I am pleased to announce that Kristie A. Ford, professor of sociology and director of Skidmore's Center for Leadership, Teaching and Learning, has been chosen for this distinct honor. Ford's academic research focuses on race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and social justice education. In addition to her work at Skidmore, Ford consults widely with colleges and universities across the United States, facilitating workshops on teaching and learning as well as diversity, inclusivity and social justice.

Each of our distinguished guests will briefly address the graduating class. Board of Trustees Chair W. Scott McGraw P'12, Class of 2019 President Nigel Smith, and I will also offer our congratulations.

We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with the Class of 2019, their families, and all our guests in May.

Sincerely,