The Observer, September 8, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 2
Soul of a Chef author addresses Case
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Students and faculty members filled the seats of Severance Hall last Thursday for Case's annual Fall Convocation, an event that served as the culmination of commencement ceremonies for the 2006-2007 academic school year. The program featured an address by Michael Ruhlman, author of Soul of a Chef, the common reading for the class of 2010.
After a brief processional and performances by the premiere a cappella group Speakeasy and the Symphonic Winds ensemble, interim president George L. Eastwood provided the welcoming address, officially beginning the new year by recognizing various deans on stage as well as the featured speaker.
Eastwood began his speech with the familiar question, "What did you do this summer?" He went on to give a brief overview of what he had done over the summer, including barbecue lunches at Crawford, Cleveland Indians games, a visit to the Blossom Music Festival, and listening to the advice of Case staff, students, and alumni regarding his tenure as interim president.
Eastwood recognized Ruhlman as a fellow member of the community, and held that the basis of a "strong community is the nourishment of the body… [and] of the soul."
Ruhlman addressed current Case students and staff with a brief overview of the writing process for Soul of a Chef, along with his views on culture in America.
An advocate of positive feedback while writing, Ruhlman admitted that, "you don't really know your thoughts until you write," and encouraged students to work hard and use available resources as needed.
Ruhlman also detailed a story about traveling through a blizzard (one that had already almost jeopardized his life on a previous ride home) just to attend a cooking class; after telling his teacher he could not attend, the chef simply replied, "part of being a chef is getting here."
Ruhlman attended, and commented that the "best chefs are those who are the least lazy."
Ruhlman ended his address with a bittersweet commentary on today's society, using fast food as a metaphor for how many Americans are satisfied with "cheap" experiences in life. He also commented on the need to keep striving for the best and suggested that "if you ever get a chance to drive through snow…take it!"
The ceremony ended with recognition of students for community service and leadership, and the traditional singing of Case's alma mater.
