May 10, 2003
Actor and Alum Tony Shalhoub Addresses USM Commencement
"I am living proof that uncertainty is vastly underrated
and often times a blessing in disguise," actor and USM
alumnus Tony Shalhoub told more than 1,000 graduates and 7,500
guests at the University of Southern Maine's Commencement,
held Saturday, May 10, at the Cumberland County Civic Center,
Portland. The ceremony marked the start of USMÕs 125th anniversary
year.
Shalhoub, a 1977 USM graduate, noted that uncertainty "allows
us to gradually move forward, take steps, and risks, without
knowing the outcome. All thatÕs needed here is an overriding
willingness to embrace mistakes and surprises along the way."
He left the USM class of 2003 with four words of advice from
a college friend who encouraged Shalhoub to apply for graduate
studies in theater at Yale: "You can do this."
Shalhoub received a USM Distinguished Achievement Award for
his outstanding contribution to the arts. A native of Green
Bay, Wisc., Shalhoub first studied acting at USM. He won a
2003 Golden Globe for his portrayal of the detective Adrian
Monk in the USA Network TV series, "Monk." His many
film credits include "Primary Colors," "Men in Black," "Spy
Kids," and "Honeymoon in Vegas."
Congressman Tom Allen also received a Distinguished Achievement
Award for his commitment to social justice and public service.
A third Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to
Timothy Wilson for his leadership at the Seeds of Peace Camp.
He also helped to create The Portland Project to address ethnic
and racial tensions among refugee and American populations
in Maine.
Student speaker Daryl Douglas Morazzini told his fellow graduates,
"We are forged of strong metal because of our USM experience,
and now we take that metal out into the world, out into our
lives, to be put to the test.... "
Morazzini, a native of Roselle, N.J., graduated with a double
major in philosophy and history, and a minor in creative writing.
He will attend Yale University in the fall to work toward
a master's degree in philosophy of religion.
Graduation was a family affair at USM this year. The mother-daughter
duo of Jan and Verity Herliekson, of Lebanon, both graduated
with honors in Geography-Anthropology. Verity, 18, who was
home-schooled by her mother, began the Early Study at USM
program when she was 13. Her 19-year-old sister, Rhianna,
will graduate from USM's School of Music in 2004.
When Aimee Tanguay, of North Waterboro, graduated with her
husband, Adam Tanguay, it marked the third generation of her
family to graduate from USM. Her grandmother, Eleanor Pickett
(class of 1953), was one of the 17 people who marched today
as part of USM's 50-year class.
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