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...Though it would be impossible to know for sure, Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Shorter College probably marked the first time an honored speaker donned a replica Anglo-Saxon war helmet while addressing graduating students and their assembled family and friends.
But perhaps those in attendance at the Winthrop-King Centre should have expected something different and entertaining. After all, Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Shorter’s Scholar-in-Residence and an associate professor of English, opened her speech by quoting an Old English phrase.
As the crowd sat silent and somewhat bewildered, Butcher translated: “In Facebook English, ‘Woot! You’re awesome.’”
And so began the much-lauded commencement speaker’s speech titled “The Awesome Shorter College Student.” About 400 students received degrees Saturday at two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. and one at 2 p.m.
“I loved it,” said newly graduated Cameron Rogers, wh
Crystal Shingles looks at her degree at Shorter College’s afternoon graduation ceremony. (Ken Caruthers / RN-T) |
o will now take her degree in early childhood education to her new teaching job at Pepperell Primary School.
Rogers said she couldn’t be happier with her time spent at Shorter College, noting, “professors go out of their way to help you.”
“Everything they said about the close, personal experience is very true,” she said, adding that Butcher exemplifies that idea.
During Butcher’s introduction, college president Harold E. Newman spoke highly of her ability to relate to students, her desire to see them excel and her passion for education. She, on the other hand, praised the students.
Among a long list of achievements, Butcher congratulated the graduates for their various accomplishments in the arts, theater, publications, sports, music, academia, charity work and post-graduation plans. And her unique approach didn’t stop with polished war helmets.
“Instead of quoting a bunch of dead people like most commencement speakers, I wanted to interview students,” she told the crowd. After being asked to speak, Butcher said, she asked students to tell her what they would want to hear in a commencement address.
One student’s response was this: “I want someone to hit me in the gut and say ‘you did it.’” To which Butcher replied with a smile, “You did it.”
While mostly encouraging, she also offered a bit of realism for her former students.
“Remember Plan R,” she said. “I bet you thought I was going to say Plan B. I’ve found that sometimes I have to go A through Q before someone will accept my work. No one ever lists rejections on their resume. I believe the R in Plan R stands for resilience.”
“I thought it was fantastic,” said Antuane Brown, who had just received his Master of Business Administration degree.
Brown said he plans to pursue another degree because he wants to teach. He worked on his MBA while working full time and said Shorter’s accelerated program worked well for his lifestyle.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said about where he wants to get his next degree. “But Shorter is definitely in the running. They would certainly make it easier for me.”
As for Butcher’s war helmet? She said she was overwhelmed when asked to be the speaker at Saturday’s ceremony, so after some research she settled on the helmet as a form of protection. Because the metal headpiece muffled her speech, she wore it only for a moment.
Butcher said she found comfort in the fact she could not remember the speaker at her first graduation.
“So, in 2024, you won’t remember me, but,” and she sang the next part, “I will remember you.”
Brown said he never took a class with Butcher, but after hearing her speak, he wished he had.
“I will remember her in 2024,” he said.
Click here to watch video from the graduation ceremony.
Click here to view a SnapHappy photo gallery of the event.
Click here to read a complete list of Shorter's Spring 2008 graduates.
