Clarkson Celebrates Graduation

POTSDAM - More than 700 Clarkson University graduates were urged to find there unique abilities and use them to help others as they progress through their adult lives.

Three guest speakers, were awarded honorary doctorates of science at the event, and while they differed greatly in their achievements, all three guests urged the graduating students to use their skills, status, power and achievements to help others.

"Now that your journey into the world is starting, I want you to think about your responsibility," said Bernard Amadei, the founding president of Engineers Without Borders and professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Dr. Amadei said he has used his skill as an engineer to provide sanitary systems and water to impoverished areas in third-world countries. He said it is important for everyone to find their unique skill and share it with the world.

"My assignment to you is to find your unique gift in life. Sometime over the next few weeks, or over the next 30, 40, or 50 years, please sit down with a cup of tea and write your mission statement," he said, adding that once that gift is discovered it can be used to help others.

"There are five billion people out there that need your help," he said.

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, professor of pediatrics emeritus at Harvard medical School and founder of the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Children's Hospital in Boston was also honored with an honorary doctorate. Mr. Brazelton at age 93, said he grew up in an era of segregation and prejudice. He urged the graduates to move past the ignorance and push past accepted trains of thought and to break new ground with fresh ideas.

Dr. Brazelton told an anecdote in which he worked with a young autistic boy he called Skipper. He said several doctors had worked with the child before and were unsuccessful in getting the him to speak. He said after months of failed attempts to reach Skipper he had an interesting experience that changed everything.

"All of the sudden, one day, this little baby pulled out his pee-pee and peed all over me and I said, oh, Skipper, that's wonderful. That's the first thing you ever said to me," he said.

From that point on Dr. Brazelton and the child made progress. Dr. Brazelton said Skipper is now 35 years old and has a doctorate.

Mr. Brazelton said his unique approaches to pediatrics led to changes in legislation and how children and infants are viewed by doctors. He told the graduates they would be faced with many challenges that should be viewed as opportunities.

"I hope you will feel challenged and realize how rewarding it will be to meet those challenges," he said.

John A. Lancaster, a civil rights attorney and disabilities rights advocate, was also awarded an honorary doctorate. Mr. Lancaster, was shot in the spine during his service in Vietnam and returned from the war paralyzed from the waste down.

Mr. Lancaster said he felt as if all the doors of opportunity had been slammed shut on him, but his friends and family helped him push past that mentality. He said the incident taught him a lot about living in the present.

"We have absolutely no power over what has already happened. So why let it define us, except to the extent that it is useful in creating a future that is better for you," he said.

Mr. Lancaster overcame his past and went on to becoming a leader in assuring equality for people with disabilities.

"If there is anything I can leave with you today, let it be the recognition that the only thing you have any real control over, any power over is that which has not happened yet," he said.

In an unannounced visit, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer followed three guest speakers in a packed Cheel Arena Saturday afternoon. Mr. Schumer urged students to figure out what they truly love before settling into a profession.

"As you go out into the world, try to find a profession or job your really love," he said.

Before explaining that there is room for error along the way. Mr. Schumer said he began his working life running a hand cranked copy machine, tried his hand at chemistry and later graduated from law school, before deciding that none of those paths were for him.

He said his parents were unsure of his decision to drop a career in law, but he knew it wasn't his future.

"Politics was my love," he said.

Xiaojing Fu and Emily Stefano received the university's highest undergraduate awards, the Levinus Clarkson and Frederica Clarkson Awards, respectively.