Graduate News from Hobart and William Smith

Aaron O’Brien, of Croton-on-Hudson, NY received a bachelor’s degree during the 2014 Commencement Ceremonies of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, held on Sunday, May 18.

O’Brien, the child of Dennis & Barbara O’Brien, majored in Sociology and received a degree Magna Cum Laude. O’Brien studied abroad in Galway while at HWS.

Brad Falchuk ’93, Emmy-award winning writer, producer, and director, delivered the 2014 Commencement Address. Discussing the role that failure can play in one’s life, Falchuk stated, “Heroes are not born out of glory and success. Heroes are born out of failure.” Falchuk concluded his remarks to the graduates by telling them that through failure emerges success. “This is my message to you - go forth and fail. Dream yourself to be the heroes your teachers, friends and family know you already are. I think I speak for all of them when I say that I cannot wait to see your dreams come to life in the world.”

In his Valedictory Address, HWS President Mark D. Gearan reflected on the meaning of the word empathy. “I believe it is something our world needs so much more of today,” he said. Gearan then pointed to the five honorary degree recipients as testimony to the power and importance of empathy. Including Falchuk, HWS conferred honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Dr. Reynold Levy ‘66, former president of Lincoln Center; Dorothy Wickenden ’76, executive editor of the New Yorker; and local civic leaders and philanthropists Nozomi Williams and Carl W. Fribolin.

“In their lives by word and deed and talent, they have taken the perspective of others and as creators, leaders and patrons of the arts, they sought to bring the light, joy and transformative power of the arts to others,” said Gearan of the honorees. Gearan concluded by reminding graduates that they are armed with a world class liberal arts education. “Use it well. Use it wisely. Use it with empathy – for other people and other perspectives.”

Commencement 2014 marked the 189th graduation for Hobart and the 103rd for William Smith. The Classes of 2014 included 289 William Smith and 217 Hobart undergraduates, as well as four MAT students and two Ontario ARC College Experience Certificates.

Hobart and William Smith are small, residential Colleges. Nearly all of the 2,372 students live on campus and many live in learning communities and theme houses that focus on community-building. With an 11:1 student to faculty ratio, students develop rewarding one-on-one partnerships with faculty mentors, often resulting in published papers or presentations at national conferences. HWS offers 46 majors and 66 minors. More than 60 percent of students create an independent course or major and many courses provide service-learning experiences, internships and job opportunities.