May 21, 2006
Krugman tells Clark University graduates to get involved
News columnist, renowned economist draws parallels between 1974 and 2006
WORCESTER, MA—Internationally known economist Paul Krugman told the Class of 2006 at Clark University that he could scarcely remember the speaker or the speech at his own graduation at Yale in 1974. But he did recall the times, and he drew many parallels between 1974 and 2006 during his commencement address at Clark on Sunday, May 21. The commencement ceremony was available live via webcast.
The nation's first major energy crisis was at its height in 1974, "which was bad for the world, but good for my career," Krugman said. He noted that the situation is what prompted him to pursue further study in economics. He also noted that 1974 was a time of war, political scandals and Presidential abuses of power. The Watergate hearings were at their climax, he noted, adding—to brief applause—"Maybe next year."
Krugman, professor of economics and international affairs at Princeton University and widely known for his columns in the New York Times, spoke about a "culture of self absorption" in the 1980s and '90s. He urged students to play a greater role in Marketing and Communications. "You should get involved for your own sake as well as for the sake of your country. …Even campaigning for the losing side can be rewarding. … "Try to live for something more than yourself."
Rebecca Dezan, of Kendall Park, NJ, presented the Senior Class Address. "I love Worcester," said Dezan, who plans to spend at least the next year in the city. "Our student lives have not been confined to campus. As residents of Worcester, we became active in local political campaigns, volunteered or worked in social service agencies, had a role in the new developments downtown and ate in restaurants that represent the diversity of the people who live here. … As we graduate, we realize that we are not just students: we are neighbors, baby sitters, tutors, and future teachers."
In closing the ceremony, Clark University President John Bassett implored the new graduates "to work for justice, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to educate the child—to believe in ideals but not to make the ideals themselves more meaningful to you than are those diverse and imperfect and at times lost human beings for whose lives the ideals have their only significance."
During its 101st commencement exercises, Clark awarded 518 bachelor's degrees, 463 master's degrees and 33 doctorates. More than 50 nations were represented among the graduate and undergraduate ranks. It was the first time the Commencement Ceremonies were available live via webcast. Krugman received a Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree.
Evelyn M. Witkin, renowned geneticist and Barbara McClintock Professor Emerita at Rutgers University, received the Doctor of Science degree. Clark bestowed Doctor of Humane Letters degrees on Robert J. Hurst, former Clark Trustee and member of Clark's Class of 1966, and Clare Brett Smith, a professional photographer who ran a successful for-profit craft import business. Hurst is advisor to Crestview Partners, a private equity firm, and is retired vice chairman of Goldman Sachs.
Clark University is a private, co-educational liberal-arts research university with 2,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. Since its founding in 1887 as the first all-graduate school in the United States, Clark has challenged convention with innovative programs such as the International Studies Stream, the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the accelerated BA/MA programs with the fifth year tuition-free for eligible students.