By Amy Coutee -
Lynchburg News & Advance
May 15, 2005 -

On a day meant for celebration and speeches about the future, Sweet Briar College graduates recalled their first year of college.

It began with Sept. 11.

That day, as TVs broadcast the attacks and aftermath, classes were cancelled and students gathered in the chapel to pray. As they prayed, one of their own, Sweet Briar College graduate Suzanne Petrie, was running from the Pentagon.

On Saturday Petrie, a 1991 SBC graduate, was back in Amherst to give the 2005 commencement speech and remind graduates of the strength of a Sweet Briar grad.

Michela English, the chairman of the SBC Board of Directors, set the tone for the ceremony by letting the Class of 2005 know exactly what she expected from them.

“From your class will arise leaders of great distinction,” said English, in her last address as chairman of the board.

Denva Jackson, 21, a Presidential Medalist, would like to be one of them. A student in art history and Italian, Jackson came to SBC because she wanted to explore new things and experiment.

She said Sweet Briar allowed her to do just that, and taught her to be a leader as well.

“SBC becomes infectious. You suddenly feel that you have a place here and that you matter,” said Jackson. “SBC is an access point to so many things. … It is an international community. It is a repository of great thinkers.”

On Saturday, SBC graduated students from 28 different states and six different countries.

The predicted rain held off long enough for the late morning commencement - the college’s 96th - to be held on the lawns of the college.

Class president Sheena Belcher stepped to the podium and reminded her classmates that they are not parting ways but they are taking the next step together.

On Sept. 11, “we were not divided by social groups. … We were bound together by the gravity of the situation.

“We carried on and we became stronger. Our class developed a bond stronger than most,” said Belcher.

Student Government Association President Michelle Moshier then awarded Thelma Jordan, inter-library loans supervisor, with the Shirley P. Reid Excellence Award while Academic Affairs Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Sirois awarded Eugene Gotwalt, assistant professor of economics and business management, with the Connie Burwell White Excellence in Teaching Award.

Petrie, Director for Latin America, Department of Homeland Security, then took to the stage to deliver an advice-filled commencement address in less than 15 minutes.

Petrie began by pointing out that she was the school’s second choice for a commencement speaker - but she didn’t mind being second to Oprah.

She briefly spoke of the path she took after college and then gave graduates the advice she wished she had gotten.

“Make a commitment to your values even when faced with adversity,” said Petrie. “Aim high for what you want. … And believe in your ability to achieve.”

Petrie told graduates to never give up, be true to themselves, not to take themselves too seriously, and build relationships with others.

“Live life to your standards and not the standards of someone else,” she said. “May you find meaning in your choices.”

With that said, 128 SBC graduates were then invited onto the stage to receive their bachelor’s degrees. Then the college awarded its first master’s degrees to four students, graduating with a Master in Teaching.

SBC President Elizabeth Muhlenfeld was then pleased to be able to get the last word in.

“As a Sweet Briar College student you have lived by an honor code. ... Translate that into an honorable life,” said Muhlenfeld.

“Do what is right, even when it costs you dearly."

© 2005 Media General Inc.

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