Political Commentator Anne-Marie Slaughter Speaks at 178th Commencement

Zachary Winthrop ’13 gives the Pepper Prize speech.

Lafayette granted 589 degrees to 566 graduating seniors and honorary doctorates to five distinguished leaders, including Anne-Marie Slaughter, one of the nation’s most influential commentators on international relations and global issues, today at the College’s 178th Commencement.

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Receiving honorary degrees were British author Martin Amis (Doctor of Literature); Joseph T. Cox ’68, headmaster of The Haverford School (Doctor of Humanities); Robert A. Pastor ’69, professor of international relations and director of the Center for North American Studies and Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University (Doctor of Public Service); Slaughter, professor of politics and international Affairs at Princeton University and former director of policy planning for the U.S. Department of State (Doctor of Letters); and President Daniel H. Weiss, who is concluding his eighth and final year as Lafayette’s 16th president (Doctor of Humane Letters). Weiss awarded the honorary degrees and delivered farewell remarks for the Class of 2013. Edward W. Ahart ’69, chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, recognized Weiss’ service as president and awarded him his honorary degree.

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Read Weiss’ farewell remarks

Zachary Winthrop ’13 also delivered farewell remarks for the Class of 2013. He is the recipient of the George Wharton Pepper Prize, awarded to the senior who “most closely represents the Lafayette ideal.” Winthrop, of Philadelphia, graduated with a bachelor of science degree.

Read about Winthrop

The first students to receive their diplomas were Scott Albert ’13, Szu-Ying Chen ’13, and Megan Young ’13, who achieved the highest cumulative grade-point average in the class. Albert, of Marlboro, N.J., and Chen, of Bangkok, Thailand, each graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering. Young, of Manasquan, N.J., received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, summa cum laude.

Taylor Dougherty ’13, Caroline Lang ’13, and Lucas Simpson ’13, chairs of the Class of 2013 Gift Committee, presented the class gift. Dougherty, of Sayreville, N.J., graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a bachelor of arts degree with a major in government and law. Lang, of Yardley, Pa., received a bachelor of arts degree with a major in government and law. Simpson, of South Plainfield, N.J., graduated with a bachelor of arts degree with a major in anthropology and sociology.

Weiss congratulated the recipients of annual Lafayette awards for distinguished teaching, scholarship, and service to the College and recognized four faculty members who are retiring and have been elected to emeritus status. They are Thomas Bruggink, professor of economics; James Lennertz, associate professor of government and law; Anthony Novaco, Marshall R. Metzgar Professor of Physics; and Chester Salwach, associate professor of mathematics.

Students cheer as their classmates receive their degrees.

Read about the awards dinner
Read about the retiring faculty

Weiss conferred degrees upon the graduates and was assisted in presenting diplomas by Rose Marie Bukics, Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Professor of Economics and acting clerk of the faculty, and Hannah Stewart-Gambino, dean of the College.

Guy Hovis, John H. Markle Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, led the academic procession as Bearer of the Mace. The mace is carried by the faculty member senior in rank of full professor. Annette Diorio, vice president for campus life and senior diversity officer, marshaled the Class of 2013.

Wendy L. Hill, provost and dean of the faculty, marched at the head of the faculty. Thomas F. McGrail ’55, trustee emeritus, led the trustees and the platform party.

Alexandra Hendrickson, chaplain of the College and director of religious and spiritual life, delivered the invocation and gave the benediction. Jennifer Kelly, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, led the singing of “America the Beautiful.” Members of the Lafayette Choir, led by Kelly, led the singing of “The Alma Mater.”