TERRE HAUTE —
It was standing-room only in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Sports and Recreation Center, as the largest class in school history marched into alumni status before family and friends.
The school’s 132nd commencement included 389 diplomas Saturday morning, as officials noted the Class of 2010 graduated 80 percent of those who first showed up on campus in 2005.
Senior class president Meredith Woodward said those who completed the journey did so through perseverance. “We are all here today because we refused to quit,” she said in her address, adding that it is an “honor and a privilege” to graduate from Rose-Hulman.
According to information provided by the school, the Class of 2010 had achieved an 85 percent job placement rate by Memorial Day Weekend, with 98 percent expected by the end of summer.
President Matt Branam, Rose-Hulman Class of 1979, described Rose-Hulman alumni as an “elite corp.”
“Consider that Indiana University will graduate 130 percent more people this spring than we can count among all of our 13,360 living alumni of Rose-Hulman,” he said. “You can be very proud to be counted among us as one who is highly trained and well prepared, both technically and as a well-rounded citizen of the world.”
Branam challenged the class to make a difference in a changing world, recounting the story of his own great-great uncle, Fred Pence, Class of 1920. Pence was the youngest brother of Branam’s own great-grandmother. When her husband died while working in the coal mines, leaving her to raise 13 children, Pence began sending her monthly checks as he was employed in California, designing kitchen appliances. Those checks were sent each month until all 13 children were grown, Branam said.
“From his paycheck which he was given, for the job which he was given, because of the education which he was given, Uncle Fred made a difference. Uncle Fred left his mark on this world.”
As did Bob Metcalfe, commencement speaker and recipient of an honorary doctorate.
Metcalfe, an Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineer and Internet pioneer credited with inventing the Ethernet, had the crowd roaring as he paused his tech-heavy speech to relay the news worldwide.
“Now, I hope you will excuse me for a few trillion picoseconds while I Tweet this joyful moment with hashtag No. RHIT2010. Word of celebration will thereby go to Twitter and onward to Facebook, which now has 500 million online friends. Send,” he said to the engineers’’ laughter. “Many of you have Blackberries, iPhones, iPads and Androids. Feel free to use them while I am speaking, if for no other reason than to honor the engineers, scientists and mathematicians who have worked hard over the decades to make these wonderful new social networking tools possible. Use hashtag No. RHIT2010,” he said to applause.
But the National Medal of Technology winner with a doctorate in computer science from Harvard, as well as a lifetime of experience on boards of Silicon Valley’s most successful firms, told the audience of young scientists that while happiness is elusive, it is well deserved and worth the search.
“All that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about,” he said, quoting 19th century author Charles Kingsley.
“I came to believe this secret so thoroughly that … I named my humble yacht … Enthusiasm. The word is from the Greek meaning, having God within. Having God within, even to the most devout Darwinian, can be reassuring, especially on stormy nights out in the Gulf of Maine,” he said. “Or, to put the secret of happiness another way, if you are bored with life, you will be unhappy, and it’s just because you haven’t been paying attention. If you want to be happy, find something that turns you on, and there are many more than three doors to choose from.”
In addition to record-setting size, the Class of 2010 also featured two members graduating with perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Joseph K. Ausserer, a double degree student in mechanical and chemical engineering from Beavercreek, Ohio; and Anthony C. Klee, an optical engineering major from Billings, Mont., both earned the Heminway Medal, presented annually since 1888 to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Top Story 2
Related Photos
-
Sad to see them go: Rose-Hulman housekeeping staff member Nancy Randall congratulates graduating biomedical engineering major Elaine Houston as Houston passes by in the graduation procession before commencement Saturday. "We grow close to the students," said Randall's co-worker, Barbara Kingery. "They are like are kids." Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
-
The pioneer tweets: Rose-Hulman commencement speaker Bob Metcalfe pauses his speech for a moment to update his Twitter page as the Rose-Hulman graduates, staff and family members chuckle during a light moment of his speech Saturday at Rose-Hulman. Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
-
Like a son to her: Rose-Hulman housekeeping staff member Sue Garry couldn't help but break through the commencement procession to give senior Kyle Kopacz a hug and to wish him well before the engineering school's commencement Saturday. Garry has known Kopacz for six years through good times and bad. "He's like a son to me," said Garry before she spotted Kopacz in line. Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
-
Exit stage laugh: Rose-Hulman graduate Darcie Thomas of Brighton, Mich., shares a laugh with Peter Gustafson, left, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, after she accepted her diploma from President Matt Branam, right, Saturday during the school's 132nd commencement. Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
-
Outstanding thesis: Avinash Ramesh of Chennai, India, displays his Outstanding Graduate Thesis Award Saturday during Rose-Hulman's 2010 Commencement. Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
Discussion
Senior class president: It’s an ‘honor and a privilege’ to graduate from Rose
- Top Story 2
-
-
Clay City woman injured in I-70 accident
A Tuesday afternoon crash on Interstate 70 near the Brazil exit sent a Clay City woman to the hospital and blocked east- and westbound traffic for more than an hour.
-
UPDATE: Suspect arrested in Dugger shootings
Indiana State Police have arrested the alleged shooter in the early Sunday shootings of Patrick D. Ruff and LeighAnn Lovelace at Dugger.
-
Monkees singer Davy Jones dies in Florida at 66
Davy Jones, the lead singer of the 1960s group The Monkees, died of a massive heart attack today in Florida, his spokeswoman said. He was 66.
-
FULL STORY: ISU administrator faces charge of soliciting sex
Brian Hasler, special assistant to Indiana State University’s president, was arrested Wednesday in Indianapolis for allegedly offering to pay an undercover police officer for sex acts, according to Marion County court documents.
-
BREAKING: John Gregg makes campaign for Governor official
John Gregg, who this past May formed an exploratory committee to run for governor of Indiana, filed paperwork with the state today to change his committee to an official statewide campaign for governor, states today’s Gregg for Indiana email release.
-
VIDEO: Storm takes out power in Vigo County, downs trees in Collett Park area
Power remained out this morning to 9,343 customers of Duke Energy in Vigo County following Wednesday night’s powerful storms that swept through west central Indiana.
-
Fundraisers hope to make strides against cystic fibrosis (See VIDEO)
A rain shower may have dampened their clothes, but it couldn’t diminish the enthusiasm of this year’s participants in the Wabash Valley Great Strides Walk, which had its best turnout ever.
-
NEW: Potential foe Daniels greets Obama on Indiana arrival
President Barack Obama has arrived in Indianapolis, where Gov. Mitch Daniels was among those meeting him at the airport.
-
UPDATE: Bin Laden’s death brings joy, reflection
After nearly a decade of anger and fear, America rejoiced Monday at the demise of Osama bin Laden, the terror mastermind behind the horrific 9/11 attacks.
-
Americans gather joyfully to mark Osama bin Laden's death
Joyous at the release of a decade’s frustration, Americans streamed to the site of the World Trade Center, the gates of the White House and smaller but no less jubilant gatherings across the nation to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden — cheering, waving flags and belting the national anthem.
-
Trio caught on video robbing convenience store
Police are seeking three suspects in an early Tuesday armed robbery at the Express Mini Mart in the 1800 block of North Third Street at Maiden Lane.
-
PHOTO UPDATE: Contractor arrested for home improvement fraud
A contractor who received more than $80,000 in grant money to do home repairs for seven clients affected by the June 2008 flooding in the Wabash Valley has been arrested for home improvement fraud.
-
Sullivan teams compete to 'Lighten Up'
Icy roads might not seem conducive to exercise, but Sullivan County organizers plan to put the heat on couch potatoes this spring. “We started advertising last week,” Carly LeDune, director of the Sullivan County Community Hospital Fitness Center, said Thursday afternoon.
-
Vigo's 3-level warning system debuts in storm
Vigo County motorists for the first time were introduced to emergency weather travel warnings during this week’s ice storm.
-
After crushing loss, MSU coach praises Miles’ Sycamores
Missouri State football coach Terry Allen was crestfallen.
-
State parks use marketing campaign to combat bug
State parks officials looking for creative ways to counter budget cuts have partnered with a national marketing campaign to replace trees lost to a tiny but destructive insect.
-
Hundreds turn out to support new ISU coach
Greg Lansing has been on Indiana State’s men’s basketball staff for nine years over two stints and has waited three years for the opportunity to be the head coach of the program after he was a finalist for the same position in 2007.
-
For ‘family reasons’: Indiana State made effort to keep coach, but McKenna decided to leave
When Kevin McKenna was mulling a decision to leave the head coach position at Indiana State to take an assistant coach position at the University of Oregon late last week, ISU Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman was at ... the University of Oregon.
-
52 slicked-up rides journey to Sullivan for the 2nd annual Southern Indiana Vintage Camper Rally
The stereo was playing Jimmy Buffett on a smoldering Sunday afternoon, with pink flamingos in the grass and Glen Houser rocking the 1976 Fairstream Argosy.
-
American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter unveils Hero’s Tree mural
A yellow ribbon tied around an old oak tree marks the focal point of a new Hero’s Tree mural honoring military veterans and family members on a wall at the American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter.
-
81st Vigo County Fair to feature truck and tractor pull, game shows
The action is heating up already at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds, as planning is under way for the 81st annual fair.
-
Historic Collett Park Pathway on schedule for end of the year
Completion of the Historic Collett Park Pathway is on schedule for the end of this year, with design of a concrete path around a 17-acre lake under way, and is expected to be bid out for construction by the end of July, Terre Haute officials said Wednesday.
-
TH tops Quincy: Tale of tape doesn’t tell winning story for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex game-winning hit on Tuesday against the Quincy Gems might have been the first tale of the tape where there was more tape inside the tape measure than there was on the field itself.
-
Vigo man killed in accident
A Vigo County man was killed late Monday afternoon in a traffic accident on Indiana 46 near the eastside Walmart store
-
Downtown marketplace packed for opening day of Farmers Market
Summer’s bounty had parking lots overflowing Saturday morning, as the Farmers Market opened to a roaring start.
-
Rex bats come alive for franchise’s first victory
After the Terre Haute Rex struggled at the plate in their inaugural game against Springfield on Thursday, many of the Rex players said they were having trouble adjusting to wooden bats after using aluminum during their collegiate seasons.
-
Downpour doesn’t dampen fans’ enthusiasm for Rex debut
If baseball players are superstitious, then the Terre Haute Rex couldn’t ask for a better omen than the rainbow spread across 1,300 fans at their inaugural game.
-
Brazil police chief resigns, returns to patrol ranks
The police chief for the Brazil Police Department has abruptly stepped down to rejoin the regular patrol ranks of the department.
-
Gone but not forgotten: When it comes to rural cemeteries, families and trustees who care seem to make all the difference
Keith Childress dipped his handbrush into a bucket of water, scrubbing Kyle’s headstone clean.
“I have to clean some stuff up before I can do anything else,” he said just before noon Sunday. Inside the Durham Cemetery on Indiana 63, U.S. flags lined the markers of veterans along a well-groomed lawn. -
Senior class president: It’s an ‘honor and a privilege’ to graduate from Rose
It was standing-room only in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Sports and Recreation Center, as the largest class in school history marched into alumni status before family and friends.
- More Top Story 2 Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
Vegas Grocer Deported to Face War Crimes Charges
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: SpaceX Capsule's Docking Delayed
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
