Commencement 2008

Sunday, May 25th, 2008 was a wonderfully sunny day in Maine -- blue sky, 80 degrees. -- which was only fitting for the graduation of the Class of 2008, including ten memebers of our swimming & diving team! We have had our team banquet, the swim team senior bbq, a swim team senior parents' picnic by the lake, lobster bakes, etc and at each have said our thank yous, good-byes and good-lucks. What I hope they all realize is how special they are to our team and to me as a class and as individuals. I wish them all the best as they head out in many different directions, look forward to their return for the Alumni Meet in November, and know we will all be in contact via text, email and voice.

This graduation was also special as our very own Patrick Sanders '08 was elected by his classmates to address them during the commencement ceremony - a truly special honor! And, one which had my nine year old son attend the Sunday celebration for his first time. While Patrck shared with us his love for waffles & chicken tenders, a desire to see a moose and his personal thoughts on the graduation attire - he also left those in attendance with the following thought: "most importantly, don’t forget to be yourself. Because if I have learned anything at Colby, anything at all, it is that being yourself will take you further and open up more doors than anything else."

To read Patrick's full address please click here: Patrick's Address

Upon completion of his address, President Bro Adams then bestowed Patrick with the Condon Medal for his distinquished service to Colby. The Condon Medal is awarded to the member of the senior class who embodies the finest qualities of constructive citizenship, and it is the only award presented during the commencement ceremony. Congratulations Patrick!!

Finally, Bob Diamond's (Class of ’73 and president of Barclays) commencement address was one of the finest I have heard over the past two decades. In tieing together the lessons he learned at Colby in athletics and the classroom, he spoke of taking risks, setting personal challenges, having a true self knowledge and staying true to your core princicples.

I encourage you to read his full address: Diamond Commencement Address 2008