SUMMER 2006
Commencement 2006
Tom Perry
Sitting among classmates at the 169th commencement, graduates had time to reflect on what they were taking away from their experience at Marietta College — strong liberal arts education, lifelong friends, solid basis for graduate school or a job and … four free T-shirts. At least that is the impression Marietta made on Harry Antonio, the Jewett Oration winner. During his speech he remarked how he received free navy blue T-shirts with white lettering as an incoming freshmen, as a member of a karate club a year later and when students returned from the 2004 flood. His fourth free shirt was part of the accreditation push on campus this past fall, but this time the shirt was white with navy blue lettering. “That’s what I really like about this college, someone’s always finding little ways to change things up, keep it fresh.” In reality, the last four years contained much more substance than some free shirts. The senior class was part of the campus transformation that saw the opening of Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, Rickey Science Center and Fayerweather Hall. They were also on campus when College officials announced an exciting $10 million gift from Laura Baudo Sillerman and Robert Dyson, both Class of 1968, to construct a new library and resource center. The 291 graduates also faced hardship and tragedy. First it was the flood of September 2004, the death of classmate and former Student Senate President Michael Conte (who’s parents received his Associate’s Commencement continued on page 10
Men’s Varsity 8 Strikes Dad Vail Gold! Four pushed RIT to the limit before falling just short to finish second. “The men had an outstanding weekend of racing,” said first-year Head Coach Chris Pucella. Noting
the first-place finish, he added, “To bring back a gold medal from Dad Vails for all of the alumni, family and friends of Pioneer Rowing is something these guys will never forget.”
www.row2k.com
The Marietta College Men’s Varsity Eight rolled through all three of its races at the 68th Dad Vail Rowing Championships, Saturday, May 13, on the Schuylkill River to win its first gold medal since 1967. Seeded number one, the Pioneers added the gold to go with five other firsts in the event won in 1934, 1939, 1963, 1966 and 1967. In the Grand Final, the MC Eight overcame an early Delaware lead to take control of the race and at the 1,000 meter mark, the Pioneers made their move to turn away traditional rival Temple in a time of 5:42:06, six seconds in front of the rest of the field. Earlier in the day, the Pioneer Navy claimed a silver when its Varsity Lightweight