Wathen Tells USM Graduates that Maine Needs Them
Maine's college graduates will lead the Maine economy "out of struggling to simply keep up, and to soar to excellence," former Maine Chief Justice Daniel Wathen told more than 900 graduates and 7,000 guests at the University of Southern Maine's Commencement, held Saturday, May 11, at the Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland.
"We are all struggling to move beyond the process of simply making do under difficult circumstances to achieving a vibrant and sustainable economy for the entire state of Maine," said Wathen. Wathen, citing studies linking educational attainment and workforce training to positive economic growth, said "It is you and your dreams that respond to the red flags waving over Maine's economic horizon. Yours is the next bold step in our collective journey from merely getting by to a vibrant and sustainable economy for all of Maine."
Wathen, who left Maine's highest court for an unsuccessful gubernatorial run, now is a member of the law firm of Pierce Atwood, where he specializes in mediation and appellate advocacy. At Saturday's ceremony, he was named a recipient of a USM Distinguished Achievement Award.
Student speaker Jelilat Oyetunji of Nigeria told her fellow graduates, "We will share with the rest of the world the gift that USM has bestowed on us by respecting the diversity that we are going to encounter. We shall use our newfound confidence in our respective majors to affect changes when necessary and most of all to show respect and kindness to those we interact with on a daily basis."
Oyetunji, a computer science major, celebrated graduation with her husband, Najim Animashaun, who received a master's degree in public policy and management from USM's Muskie School. Their family members traveled from Nigeria to attend the ceremony. Oyetunji's father graduated from the University of Maine in the 1960s, and his children have followed him to the U.S., several to Maine, to receive their university educations.
Some 30 members of the class of 1952 marched in the ceremony, including State Representative Lillian O'Brien of Lewiston, whose son, Lawrence J. O'Brien II of Portland, graduated with a degree in psychology. He is the fourth member of the family to earn a USM degree. Representative O'Brien is a 1952 graduate of Gorham State Teachers College, one of USM's predecessor institutions.
At 62, Doris Shorey of Enfield was the oldest USM graduate. A longtime culinary arts teacher in Lincoln, she realized her dream of earning a four-year degree in applied technical education. She now is qualified to become a technology educator in Maine.
Civic leader Rosalyne Bernstein of Portland received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Bernstein is a former trustee of Bowdoin, the first woman member of the Rhodes Scholar Committee for Maine, and past chair of the USM Board of Visitors. She also served as chair of the Maine Health Care Finance Commission and is a past recipient of the National Council of Jewish Women's highest award for service, the Hannah Solomon award.
USM President Richard L. Pattenaude also presented a Distinguished Achievement
Award to entrepreneur and civic leader Marilyn Moss Rockefeller
of Camden, and posthumously recognized business and civic
leader Ladd Heldenbrand with a Distinguished Service Award.
Kenneth M. Nelson of Falmouth was named recipient of the 2002 USM Hilltop Award. State Senator Mary E. Small of Bath, a USM graduate, was named recipient of the USM Community Service Award. The Alumni Association Awards recognize exemplary civic, professional and university service.
Also to be honored during Commencement with emeriti status are retired faculty Libby Cohen of Scarborough, professor of education; Sallie Nealand of Norway, assistant professor of nursing; and Robert French of Tenants Harbor, associate professor of geography.
USM Athletic Director Albert D. Bean Jr. was recognized as the 2002 recipient of the Distinguished Professional Staff Award. USM Police Lieutenant James Stanhope Sr. was named recipient of the Distinguished Classified Staff Award.
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