Commencement 2008

Commencement 2008 was notable not only for graduating what is thought to be the largest class in the College's 193-year history--554 students--but for being the last Commencement of Richard J. Cook's tenure as president of Allegheny College.

The College conferred an honorary doctorate of science upon Robert A. Vukovich '65, who was unable to attend the ceremony, and an honorary doctorate of humane letters upon Cook. In presenting Cook for the degree, Professor of Political Science Robert Seddig noted his integrity, honesty, fairness, humility, and hard work. "Allegheny College today pays tribute to a truly remarkable, now departing, president," Seddig said, "a president whose human qualities, the intangibles, we laud, in addition to his many accomplishments."

For his part, Cook advised students to avoid five approaches to life that would prevent them from reaching their full potential. "Don't surround yourself with like-minded people and comfortable, familiar ideas, settings, and experiences," he told the graduates. "Don't focus on getting the things you want rather than on the person you want to be. Don't lose your idealism--never stop trying to make your community, our world, and the lives of others better. Don't defer living fully until you reach a pre-conceived set of circumstances or goals. Don't cut corners on what is right or in any way compromise your integrity."