We are going to be bold in our solutions—because we will have to be in order to build a nation that holds us all up and keeps us together, rather than pits us against each other. Here we are more than two years later. But we’re still reacting to the dominant culture that we didn’t create. We all believe in you. Good morning! To this day I often cry at events. At Smith's first commencement in 1879, caps and gowns were considered ill-suited to the pioneer spirit of the college. We have changed policy, but we haven’t made the rules by which policy is passed. And I believe we have everything we need to do it. We helped one another navigate the port-o-potties. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you, students, families, friends and distinguished guests. We want to run things because we’re going to do things differently. It is a Baccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences by Carnegie Classification and its highest degree is Doctor's degree - research/scholarship. And I want you to really take this in...because you are graduating from one of the premiere institutions in the world, that is entirely focused on the potential of women—all women—Black, brown, native, white, gender non-conforming and trans—all women to lead and change the world. Experiencing an accessibility issue on a Smith web page? We enroll approximately 1,600 highly talented and motivated students from various backgrounds. Academic dress is believed to have originated at medieval British universities when those institutions were associated with the church. And to all the families, for all the sacrifices you’ve made so that today’s graduates can have this moment. Another tradition is that of the ivy chain, carried by the Junior Ushers. Will it last? The mace was designed and fashioned by noted sculptor and printmaker Elliot M. Offner, who taught at Smith from 1960 until his retirement in 2004. The crowning ornament of the caput is inlaid with end-grain boxwood and bears the dedication to Florence Macdonald as well as the college motto—“to virtue, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5, King James version)—inscribed in classical Greek. Diplomas are passed around each circle, with graduates leaving the circle as soon as they receive their own diplomas. Please let us know. Women who seek abortions are being criminalized and the doctors assisting them are facing 99 years in prison for providing basic women’s health care. Christopher T . Because there’s so much we don’t know about one another’s stories—rural women, urban and suburban women, we each hold key pieces of the story of who we are and who we can become. Well—we’re definitely not in charge. One question we asked—what is your superpower? The college Baccalaureate harkens to the medieval British tradition of awarding each degree recipient (bacca) with laurels (lauri). With a whole lot of empathy. Our faculty and staff members are equally as unique, coming from all over the world. The school has a total enrollment of 2,903 and student to faculty ratio is 9 to 1 (11.11%). Seniors find the Baccalaureate to be a particularly meaningful way to begin Commencement Weekend with their classmates. Even though we don’t see it in our dominant culture, we know in our gut that it’s possible. It’s our time. We are organizing and taking action. 2019-20 School Calendar. We’re going to make every job a job that pays a family sustaining wage, because as women we’ve been working too hard for too little for too long. And so, I think I assumed they would also be in charge of everything. Congratulations graduates! Paul Smith's College. But it’s also important to remember this is a nation of humans and we’ve all been through a lot as country. We have been first responders in this time of crisis—marching, voting, organizing, donating, running for office and winning at unprecedented rates. We have changed the workforce, we are now more than half of the workforce. This year, the Colleges will award 506 undergraduate degrees and 12 masters of arts in teaching candidates, as well as one College Experience Certificate through the HWS and ARC partnership program. Empathy is our superpower. Carved on one side of the caput, or head, is the Macdonald crest and on the other side the Grécourt Gates. We’re going to support the leadership of trans women and gender non-conforming people because these gender norms have oppressed us all. 11:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m Josten Library Open House Visit Smith’s performing arts library, which boasts inspiring architecture and an outstanding interdisciplinary collection of music, theatre, and dance books, playscripts, music scores; and audio, video and other resources. I figured they should be. Women got jobs in lots of industries, but the work in the home they left behind didn’t get elevated—in fact, it’s lack of value got reinforced. You’re probably asking—how? In the words of my friend and mentor, and Smith College class of 1956 graduate Gloria Steinem, “Imagine we are linked not ranked.”. Read their responses here. Abby Isaacs of Ashland will be the morning commencement speaker for the College of Science. Congratulations Class of 2020! 2020: Times and events are subject to change. Smith College is a private institution that was founded in 1871. Weddings, baby showers, funerals...anything where anyone is being celebrated, or appreciated, when someone’s unique contributions or humanity is seen or recognized. Women have changed the conversation about everything from sexual violence and harassment, to who belongs in the White House. In the late Middle Ages the academic mace became part of the ceremonial insignia of the universities of Western Europe. 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