CANTON — Despite gloomy prospects of an ever weakening economy and job market, graduates in St. Lawrence University's class of 2008 Sunday seemed to face their futures with humor and confidence.
"Just resist 'growing up,'" advised Senior Class President Amanda R. Ouellette, Dansville, Vt., during one of two speeches by members of the graduating class during the commencement ceremony. "Life is too short to be caught up in unimportant things, or to be angry or hold a grudge, or to lose track of friends and family in favor of money or success."
Ms. Ouellette graduated mag-na cum laude with a bachelor of science with honors in psychology, one of 545 degrees awarded during the university's 143rd commencement.
Reed C. Holden, winner of the Joan Donovan speech contest, also offered a warning to her fellow graduates during the senior oration.
"As we get our diplomas today, let us not think that we have all the answers," said the cum laude graduate with a bachelor of science in psychology. "Let us not be too smug in our preparedness or what we have learned; because when this happens, we stop asking questions. And when we stop asking questions, we stop learning."
Matthew H. Wight, Canton, who graduated summa cum laude with a combined bachelor of science in economics and mathematics, said before the ceremony that the experience was "pretty cool."
"Especially being a local and growing up here my whole life around the university and getting into the culture of what St. Lawrence University is all about," he said.
Mr. Wight was presented his degree by his mother, international and intercultural studies specialist Thadine Wight, SLU class of 1978.
Though obviously understanding just how precarious the nation's economic situation appears to be, Mr. Wight held out hope for his classmates.
"There's always something if you look hard enough and put yourself in the right situation," he said, adding that he already has found a job with State Street, an investment services firm in Boston.
David M. Baker graduated with the highest cumulative grade-point average over four full years of study. He tallied a 3.95, out of a possible 4.0, in graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of science with honors in sociology.
The university awarded 495 bachelor's degrees, 43 master's degrees and seven certificates of advanced studies. The five most popular majors this year were economics, with 54 degrees; psychology, 51; government, 45; history, 41; and biology, 40.
The university also awarded honorary doctor of humane letters degrees to David L. Warren, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities president; Kevin Klose, National Public Radio president; and Carol Newell, class of 1979, founder of the Sage Foundation and Endswell Foundation. Kenneth Andrews, music director and conductor for the Orchestra of Northern New York, received a North Country Citation.
The university also granted emeritus status to four retiring faculty members:
■ Robert M. DeGraaff, a professor of English who first joined SLU in 1966.
■ Thomas F. James, an associate professor of sociology, who graduated from SLU in 1968, then returned to his alma mater to teach in 1978.
■ David Lloyd, associate professor of history, who joined the faculty in 1985 and served as history chairman from 1994 to 2002.
■ Laura Nuzzi O'Shaughnessy, the Charles A. Dana professor of government, who has taught at SLU since 1978.
