Commencement 2005

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Commencement Broadcast (44 MB / 2 hrs, 20 min)

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May 8, 2005
Photos by Dave Trumpie

A perfect spring day set the stage for Albion College's sendoff of 364 members of its Class of 2005 on Saturday, May 7. Eaton Corporation CEO Alexander Cutler, husband of new Albion trustee Sallie Stark Cutler, '75, gave the Commencement address and was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the College. 

President Peter T. Mitchell noted that the Class of 2005 began its college career under the enormous stress of 9-11.  "All too quickly, you were forced to use the critical thinking, problem solving, logic, assimilation, integration, and communication skills that define the liberal arts tradition in order to cope with and understand those horrific events. Mitchell recalled. "This class will always be very special not simply because of what you have accomplished in the face of adversity, but because of who and what you are and will become – generous, thoughtful, compassionate, enthusiastic leaders of the 21st Century."

Mitchell further noted that the Class of 2005 further distinguished itself with an 87% participation rate for the senior class gift, demolishing the previous record of 81%. "I urged you to set the record [and] as is so often the case with this class in particular, you didn’t break the record, you set the world class record, unparalleled in the entire country.  What a class!" Mitchell praised.

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