Former Federal Judge Tells Wheaton College Graduates to 'Do Something Rather than Nothing'

Former federal judge and attorney Nancy Gertner told the Wheaton College 2013 graduates to "take responsibiiity-do something rather than nothing-create your own patch" ssuday in 178th Commencement ceremony

"Every generation seems to have had a defining moment. My parents' generation was shaped by World War II and the Great Depression. Our generation was clearly shaped by the Vietnam War and all the protest movements of the day. Sadly, this generation seems to be shaped, at least in part, by 9/11, and now the abomination that was the bombing of the Boston Marathon," said Gertner. "At a time of Internet disconnectedness, that bombing was a shared and horrifying moment. One reaction, perhaps the most understandable, is fear; how to create a safe space for yourself and your family. You might say, "I can't control the world, the economy, the politics, so I will build a wall in which my family and I can live....But you can't."

There were 372 graduating seniors this year. 

During Commencement, Gertner was presented with an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws. Honorary degrees were also presented to two distinguished Wheaton graduates: Patricia Flaherty '83 and Diane Leshefsky Troderman '63. Flaherty is senior project manager for Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services in Boston, and Troderman is a noted philanthropist in education and Jewish culture.

For more coverage of the coverage of the graduation to read Judge Gertner's speach go to the Wheaton College site.