U Magazine, Summer 1989

Undergraduate valedictorian Colette Clark- who graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average - delivered a somber message to her classmates . Clark, whose father died of cancer about a year and a half ago, urged her classmates to slow down and appreciate each day as it comes. "We completely lose sight of what's happening around us today, " she said. "What we do with today is vitally important. " Clark will begin her post-graduation life as an accountant-in-training for the Chevron Corporation in San Francisco. Copley Newspapers Editor-in-Chief Herb Klein was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Sunday afternoon's undergraduate ceremony. In his remarks to the graduates, Klein, who at one time served as press

Among the firsts recorded at com– mencement: Jennifer Merriman became the first USD student to graduate with two undergradu– ate degrees in the same calendar year, earning degrees in business administra– tion and English literature. Julie Novak became the first graduate of the Hahn

tinguished professor of nursing at the Uni– versity of Washington, was honored at the graduate ceremony. Dr. Benoliel has au– thored two books on death and health

School of Nursing's doctoral program, a program inaugurated in 1985. She wrote her doctoral dissertation about area fathers , who she believes are being discriminated against by health care pro– viders, educators and other professionals.

care, 1be Nurse and the Dying Patient and Death Education for the Health Professional. She also has written articles on diabetic identity, ethical considerations in treatment, women's health and cancer research.

The School of Law granted honorary degrees to Archibald Cox, the former Wa– tergate special prosecutor and a leading authority on constitutional and labor law; and Colin Wied, president of the Califor– nia State Bar. Cox was unable to attend the cere– mony because of illness, but in his remarks Wied reminded the students of the twin goals of practicing law: service to the client and attainment of justice. "The very essence of being a good lawyer, " he said, "is respect. " Acting School of Law Dean Grant Morris challenged the graduates to re– member their classroom lessons about life. "My hope , my prayer for you

secretary for former Presi– dent Richard Nixon, urged the students to get involved in volunteerism, particularly the

fight against illiteracy.

Herb Klein

He cited statistics which indicate that one out of five Americans is functionally illiterate and that 50 million out of 100 million workers in the United States cannot read at a ninth grade level. Klein said illiteracy contributes to the crime rate and to welfare rolls because those who are unable to read are deprived of the opportunities available to citizens of a free nation. "There are untold opportunities for educated volunteers such as you or your parents and friends here to help tutor and to be a part of the crusade against illiter– acy," he said. "...As participants, as volunteers, you can tum the tide and make the 90s brighter for all. You might ask, 'Can one person help?' You can. I like the old saying, 'It is better to light a single candle than to curse at the dark."'

today, " he said, "is that in your professional lives you embrace these values of intelligence, com– passion and courage. For only if you do will you find the fullest measure of satisfaction from your chosen profession. And let me be so bold as to suggest that only if you em– brace these virtures within your personal lives as well, will you find true happiness as human beings. "

Jeanne Quint Benoliel, a dis-

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