Gonzalez: ‘Education truly is the great equalizer’

May 12, 2007

Words of wisdom

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Gerardo Gonzalez, dean of education at Indiana University, spoke at Ivy Tech Community College’s graduation ceremony Friday night at the IU Auditorium.

Gonzalez told the story of how education transformed him from a “poor, immigrant boy from a working-class family” to a man who enrolled in a community college and then continued on to earn three degrees at the University of Florida. He is now a dean at one of the top research universities in the world.

What motivated him: His father’s hands. The hands of an auto mechanic who worked on engines for 40 years. The hands that had been burned on hot engines, cut with fan belts and soaked in grease and gasoline.

“He would put his hands up in front of me and say, ‘look Gera, look at my hands. I want you to get an education because I don’t want your hands to look like mine when you’re my age,’” Gonzalez said, his voice quivering with emotion.

His motivational message: “In a democratic society, education truly is the great equalizer. And in America, the greatest democracy ever created, our survival depends on having a fair and just society where everyone is afforded a meaningful opportunity.”

“Our families, our community and our nation are better off because of your educational achievements.”

The style

GRADUATE GARB: The basics (cap, gown and tassel) for everyone; Phi Theta Kappa members wore gold stoles, student officers wore green stoles with a student government medallion.

GRADUATE ACCESSORIES: Cell phones, and a single white rose and hunter green diploma after walking across the stage.

GRADUATE COMMUNICATION: Texting, waving, giving the thumbs up and a “hang loose” — thumb and pinky up — in one case, hug, handshaking (seven on the stage alone). No visible mortarboard messages, though one woman sported a pair of black Mickey Mouse-style ears on top of the black mortarboard. A yellow smiley-faced beach ball made it into the air twice.

The scene

SHOUT-OUTS TO …

Anthony Thompson: Indiana University’s all-time leading rusher who was elected this week to College Football Hall of Fame. Ivy Tech Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart pointed out Thompson, who was sitting a few rows back from the stage.

Laid-off workers: Anyone who no longer works at local manufacturing companies such as Otis, GE, RCA, etc., was asked to stand up. About 20 did so — having taken advantage of studying through the Trade Adjustment Agreement, a federal program that offers benefits such as student expenses.

Veterans: A range of ages, and robed and unrobed, stood up for recognition in serving the country.

Outgoing president: Gerald Lamkin retires in June after a quarter-century as president of Ivy Tech Community College “God bless you, and God bless Ivy Tech,” he told the grads.

WHO WORE THE ROBES:

Diana Lake and her daughter, Laura Tusing, with high honors. Lake earned a degree in early education; Tusing is completing an associate’s degree in accounting.

Paola Senatore, an international student from Italy. Named to dean’s list seven times, graduated magna cum laude.

Obie James, Navy veteran now graduating magna cum laude in General Studies and off to IU.

Jacob Cagan, husband and father, now graduate cum laude in biotechnology. An internship at BioConvergence will turn into full-time employment.

Anthony Roberts, former GE employee who was laid off, walked out of the auditorium as a cum laude biotechnology graduate. Interned at Cook Pharmica and now has a full-time lab job.

Dan Cox, returning adult student after being let go from GE, made the dean’s list five straight semesters in his pursuit of design technology. He’ll now work at Boston Scientific.

Cindy Lou Solis, a mother of four daughters and a grandmother of 15. She received her technical certificate in office administration. Her dream job: a seamstress. Her plan is to take a few more classes this summer and spend time with her family, who came out to support her Friday.

DEGREE EARNERS: More than 260 students were eligible to receive associate of science and associate of applied science degrees and technical certificates.