Students, families pack stadium in soggy farewell to Michigan

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Superfan Jeff Holzhausen raises his fist in triumph as he graduates along with the class of '98 at Commencement last Saturday in a packed Michigan Stadium.

Stories of apartheid and the renewal of a University tradition marked Spring Commencement on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

"Do not take for granted what you have been given here today," said keynote speaker Mamphela Ramphele, vice chancellor of the University of Cape Town and South Africa's only top female black university administrator.

For the first time since 1926, hundreds of graduates kicked off commencement with a procession to the stadium that began at Elbel Field. Inside the stadium, graduates tossed beach balls and chanted "Go Blue!" in between speakers, giving the ceremony the festive atmosphere of a home football game.

Ramphele paralleled her South African university with the University of Michigan, saying both need to "draw on the rich diversity of our people."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Mamphela Ramphele, the ceremony's keynote speaker, addresses the 1998 University graduates.

Audience members applauded Ramphele when she spoke about two black women who graduated at the top of Cape Town's engineering class. They were accepted as a result of affirmative action "and they excelled," she said.

Ramphele cited the impact that certain individuals have had in fighting apartheid to illustrate the importance of leadership.

"You can use South Africa as an example to all those people who say individuals cannot make a difference," she said.

Ramphele said the United States is technologically strong but remains challenged by social problems.

"Perhaps that is an indicator that we need to learn from each other," she said.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Graduate Rosa Wilson celebrates her final day as a University student in her cap and gown.

Jokingly asking the graduates to keep the beach balls under control, University President Lee Bollinger advised the graduates to be good at heart. "Bad people can do good things, but good people can do even more," Bollinger said.

Bollinger reminded the graduates to appreciate their university and to realize the responsibilities that accompany an excellent education. "Always remember that a part of the world favors you, and that (requires) responsibilities," he said.

Saying personal relationships form the core of life, Bollinger asked the graduates to remember their spartan college residence hall rooms when measuring the importance of material goods in comparison to the value of friendships.

Graduate Jason Mandel, who delivered the student address, said he will cherish the "unspoken bonds" between college friends that were formed through post-game celebrations at Bollinger's house, trips to Backroom Pizza, national championship games, all-nighters, 21st birthday parties and the trauma of growing up.

"Do the things you always said you'd do ... for graduating does mean the beginning of the real world, but it doesn't have to mean the end of the dream world," Mandel said.

Graduate Jeff Baker said he thought the keynote address focused too much on South Africa.

"I would have expected an address that was geared toward us as graduates," Baker said.

It was a day of mixed emotions for many graduates, including Bill Helphingstine.

"Certainly there are elements of sadness, but they are overshadowed by those of happiness," said Helphingstine.

Graduate Jon Black said he "never thought this day would come so quickly.

"I'll definitely miss being here, but I'm ready to move on with life," Black said.

Baker said he will miss the frivolous environment and closeness of his peers at the University.

"When I look back, some of my best memories will be in this stadium," he said.

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