The Observer, September 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2
Convocation welcomes Class of 2009
Case students, faculty, staff and other members of the Case community nearly filled Severence Hall on Thursday, Sept. 1 to attend the annual Fall Convocation. Tracy Kidder, author of this year's Pulitzer Prize-winning common reading, Mountains Beyond Mountains, gave the keynote address. Kidder is also the author of the best-selling books House, The Soul of a New Machine, and Among Schoolchildren.
In his address, Kidder spoke about Paul Farmer, the subject of his book, a physician and founding director of the non-profit organization Partners in Health, which provides medical services to many people around the world who can't afford them.
Kidder began his address by relating to the audience the story of Farmer's childhood, which was difficult as his family struggled to support itself. Despite these challenges, Farmer excelled in school.
Kidder described the young boy, saying, "He was a nerd," then made a joke about Case students, quipping, "As, I'm told, are a lot of people."
Farmer went on to Duke University and then to Harvard Medical School, although he spent most of his time off campus in rural Haiti treating disadvantaged patients. In Haiti, Kidder told the audience, Farmer witnessed suffering caused by the inability of many to afford adequate medical care. This motivated him to help provide better housing, clean water, and health care to those who needed it in poverty-stricken parts of the world. Since Farmer's time in Haiti, Kidder explained, he has made numerous personal sacrifices and donated millions of dollars to aid the poorest and sickest people around the world.
Kidder closed his address by asking why a young person should be interested in the story of Paul Farmer. He answered this question by saying that, to young people, Farmer's story "poses a challenge." Kidder noted that most people can not be expected to make the sacrifices and contributions Farmer made, but he feels the important thing for young people is to "pay attention to the world as it really is." Kidder went on to say that "once gruesome poverty is revealed [to you], you might acquire responsibility [for it]."
Kidder's message seemed to resonate with freshman Priyanka Patel, a student in the pre-professional dental program. Patel, who read Mountains Beyond Mountains, commented that Kidder "essentially had a good message. It is important to put a little bit of an effort into changing the world in your own way."
Freshman Megan Michelson echoed this sentiment. Michelson feels college-aged students should be more aware of the world around them as well as those in need, noting that students "are focused on themselves."
University President Edward Hundert introduced Kidder and gave opening remarks. Hundert began by thanking Case's board members, donors, faculty, staff and students, including the Class of 2009. Many of the first year students were in the audience to hear Kidder's speech for their first seminar SAGES classes.
Hundert also expressed excitement over accomplishments and progress he feels the University has made, saying "This is a university making a move. We're just warming up; we have a long way to go."
Vice President of Development for USG and second-year biomedical engineering student Neil Ursic agreed in part with President Hundert's comments, noting that the University has made progress and that it will be hard to top this year's accomplishments in the coming years.
Vice President for Student Affairs Glenn Nicholls and Undergraduate Student Government president Brian Sauer also addressed the audience to commend students and student organizations for their leadership and work in community service. Nicholls acknowledged a number of student groups for their service efforts including those involved in Greek Life, Habitat for Humanity, and Americorps. Nicholls also congratulated students, such as class officers, orientation leaders and Residence Life staff, for their leadership.
In addition to mentioning many student groups, Nicholls also pointed out the individual achievements of two undergraduate students. Psychology major Winnie Lai was congratulated for winning the Share the Vision award for her work with Spectrum, Case's gay/straight alliance. Nicholls also told the audience about the accomplishments of Chris Pulliam, a biomedical engineering student and recipient of the Patricia B. Kilpatrick Outstanding Service award.
After the keynote address, economics professor Robin Dubin closed the convocation ceremony. Afterwards, President Hundert, Tracy Kidder and many who attended the ceremony gathered on Frieberger Field for a reception where Kidder was available to sign books.
