At Bucknell’s 169th Commencement ceremony, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright challenged the Class of 2019 “to exercise leadership in support of peace, in defense of liberty and to further justice.”
Rejecting what she described as a rising tide of intolerance and isolationism, Albright’s Commencement address was a passionate defense of community, compassion and global connection, and a warning about what happens when national pride descends into fear or hatred of others. “The American tapestry unravels and the social fabric is torn,” she said.
Albright delivered these remarks to the 881 graduates receiving their degrees at Commencement, and more than 6,000 well-wishers who gathered on the Malesardi Quad. Also watching were more than 125,000 viewers tuning in via ABC News’ Facebook page, which streamed the ceremony live.
In his class response, student Commencement speaker Johnathan “Chief” Coleman ’19 called on his classmates to take up Albright’s charge, encouraging them to “imagine what we will know tomorrow.
“The world is changing quickly, and through our Bucknell education we now have the tools to adapt to the fast-paced world,” he said. “Bucknellians, I challenge you to go forward and innovate.”
