Chancellor Wyatt ‘graduates’ with Class of 2000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt congratulated more than 2,300 graduates of the Class of 2000 gathered on Alumni Lawn Friday morning and added that he was also “graduating” as he delivered his 18^th and final traditional farewell speech.

“By now, you know that this is my graduation,” said Wyatt, who is retiring as Vanderbilt’s chief executive at the end of July. “I’ve had the privilege of conferring more than 45,000 degrees at Vanderbilt — which means shaking almost as many hands, which I have been privileged to do. Now I shall venture forth to life after Vanderbilt. And, like you, I do so with a mixture of pride, exhilaration and reflection.”

A crowd of about 15,000 people gathered for the ceremony, joined by additional thousands from around the world who watched the commencement cybercast on the Internet. A total of 2,858 students completed requirements for degrees in Vanderbilt’s 10 schools during the past year but some students who completed degrees in August and December were unable to return for commencement exercises.

Wyatt was among 26 members of the Vanderbilt faculty and administration who were honored for years of service to the University by having the title “emeritus” or “emerita” bestowed upon them during the ceremony. “Joe Wyatt’s legacy as Chancellor will be a Vanderbilt that is stronger and better in every way,” said Board of Trust Chairman Martha Ingram, who conferred Chancellor Emeritus honors upon Wyatt.

Outgoing Student Government Association President Jimmy D’Andrea read a resolution praising Wyatt. The resolution said that the SGA senators, “on behalf of all current and former students, are deeply indebted to Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt for his dedication to Vanderbilt University and are grateful for his leadership during the past 18 years.”

During his address, Wyatt read some reminiscences of author Robert Penn Warren reflecting about his time at Vanderbilt. Writing shortly before his death, Warren noted: “I suppose my real university was not Vanderbilt as such — it was classmates and friends I had the good fortune to know.”

Wyatt agreed that the real Vanderbilt is not just a place to be experienced and a body of knowledge to be learned, but rather it is the people who share experiences, discovery and knowledge — classmates, faculty and friends.

“We are fond of saying that, at Vanderbilt, we educate the whole person — not just the intellect, but the heart and soul as well,” Wyatt said. He emphasized the need for a strong moral compass and sense of core beliefs shaped by values, faith, education and experience.

Wyatt added that Vanderbilt has a way of elevating everyone in its reach and of making each person better than they were before coming to the University.

“It does so for students,” he said. “It does so for its faculty. It does so for the administration. And it certainly does so for Chancellors. I feel that I am a better person since I came to Vanderbilt. I feel I’m a better person because of Vanderbilt. In turn, Vanderbilt has contributed to building a better society, person by person, deed by deed, brick by brick.”

As an example of excellence, Wyatt noted the accomplishments of 1992 graduate Christopher Barbic, who joined “Teach for America,” a national organization that places bright college graduates for two years of teaching in some of the nation’s roughest, most isolated and most under-funded public schools.

After his “Teach for America” stint, Barbic taught in the Houston public schools for two more years. In 1996, along with a partner, he raised money and formed a charter school in Houston, the Youth Engaged in Service College Preparatory Academy, or “YES Academy.” The academy, said Wyatt, enrolls 400 students from one of the most stressful neighborhoods in Houston. Entering students at the YES Academy generally score in the 50^th percentile range on achievement tests, according to the state of Texas. But within a year, the same students are achieving 95 to 100 percent passing ranges on those same tests and they continue at that level. The requirement for graduation is to be admitted to a college.

“Chris took a private hope, a private dream, and made it public,” Wyatt said. “He took a view of the world that he brought to Vanderbilt, and made it even more compelling. He left this University determined in his own way and with his own special direction to make a difference. And he did make a difference. He followed his moral compass.”

The Chancellor encouraged the graduates to have the courage to follow their own hopes, dreams and goals. “I congratulate on your graduation and I commend you to your futures,” Wyatt concluded. “It is yours for the taking, to fly as fast as you can. Go now, feel the wind on your face. And Godspeed.”

Contact: Lew Harris, (615) 322-NEWS
lewis.g.harris@vanderbilt.edu

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