Family, friends, alumni, current students and the candidates of the graduating Class of 2013 gathered in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center to witness the 62nd annual commencement ceremony on May 19, during which 850 bachelor's degrees, 803 master's degrees and 93 doctorates were awarded. Dr. Rick Hodes, medical director of Ethiopia for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, presented the commencement address to the Class of 2013.

After all the degree candidates, faculty members and the President's party had taken their places, the ceremony began.
Malcolm Sherman, chair of the Board of Trustees, spoke briefly as a fellow "member" of the Class of 2013 for his final commencement ceremony as chair. University President Frederick Lawrence then took over to make his address to the Class of 2013.

Lawrence explained that he has "every confidence" that the Class of 2013 will "achieve amazing and unique things in this world" as leaders.

"Leadership, after all, isn't just holding a title or winning an election or organizing an event," said Lawrence. "Leadership is also standing up for something you believe, taking an idea and making it a reality, helping friends out of difficult situations, demonstrating kindness and compassion, communicating your ideas clearly and convincingly, and righting wrongs."

Lawrence described the impact of being a Brandeisian in all of the members of the Class of 2013. "From the perspective of today, I think the right question is not 'What have I learned?' ... The right question is 'Who have I become?' or better yet, 'Who am I in the process of becoming?'" he said. "[F]or each of you graduating today, there will be different answers but ... part of that answer is, 'I am a Brandeisian.'"

Lawrence wrapped up his address by explaining the "paradox" of staying in touch with what each member of the Class of 2013 liked best about himself or herself at Brandeis. "You can't hold onto this place - you felt it this past week during senior week, as you felt it slip through your hands. That is because places do not belong to us - we belong to them," he said. "You will always belong to this place, to its values and what it stands for."

Following Lawrence's speech, six individuals were awarded honorary degrees.

This year's recipients were former president of Brown University and of the New York Public Library Vartan Gregorian; abstract painter, sculptor and printmaker Ellsworth Kelly; former director of Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village in Haifa, Israel, Chaim Peri; co-founder of the Elaine and Gerald Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis and public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly Elaine Schuster; literary editor of The New Republic and author of several works Leon Weiseltier; and Hodes.

Hodes proceeded to deliver the commencement address. Hodes spoke about his experiences treating severely ill children in Ethiopia, a cause to which he has devoted his life.

Hodes put audience members' lives into perspective with advice from children in Ethiopia after he presented the question of the week: "What advice should I give the Brandeis grads?"

"Henok, a 15-year-old AIDS orphan who also has AIDS, said: 'Stand to make a difference or a miracle. Never lose hope. A small thing can make a huge change,'" said Hodes. "Binyam, who grew up barefoot in a mud hut, is a biology student at Addis Ababa University. He said: 'Be honest and do your best. Life is short, so please do better with it.'

Zemene is a 15-year-old orphan girl, a dwarf with deforming spine disease. She said: 'See everyone equally, love your religion.'"

His experiences provided a powerful insight for the Class of 2013.

Hodes used a number of inspirational quotations from notable individuals to help express the challenges that he faced and what he helped patients overcome. "St. Francis of Assisi said: 'Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible,'" said Hodes.

"In 1999, I started helping two orphans with bad backs, then I adopted them. I now have over 1,100 spine patients. Over 200 spine surgeries. We have 13 kids with traction right now. Nobody in the world has 13 kids in traction. Last year I had four paralyzed people come to me-who are now walking."

David Fisch '13 was encouraged by Hodes' address "He was great," said Fisch. "He really provided a lot of insight into life."

Ellyn Getz '13 delivered the senior speech to the Class of 2013, and reflected on her memories at Brandeis. She described all of the events that she and her classmates had both endured and enjoyed together.

Getz described the importance of recognizing those who have supported the graduates in their successes. "[N]o matter how we reach that summit, we must always recognize the support of others to get us there. Thank you to the parents, coaches, and mentors, who have set us up with a stable foundation; to our friends and acquaintances who have made a difference in our lives-whether it was through a passing smile of reassurance on the way up Rabb steps before an exam, or through showing school spirit throughout the men's historic soccer run," she said.

Getz wished her classmates the best for the future. "I continue to be inspired by each of you, and can't wait to hear about the next stop in your life journeys."

Getz ended the speech with the simple, yet appropriate, statement: "We did it."

Newly graduated senior, Katrina Osborne '13 said she could not believe that she had graduated, a thought that had only hit her during the ceremony.

"I think my involvement in social justice and finding my place in community service, and ... my outside accomplishments have led to a lot of success," Osborne said in an interview with the Justice. "[Brandeis has] really given me a lot of creativity in my studies ... [T]here's so many opportunities to do all these different things that I've never done before, and so many service opportunities that really shaped my passion for social justice, and I really think that's what led me to choose what I wanted to do."

Jake Roffe '13 said he felt ready to graduate. "I'm not really excited, it's just, you know, it feels like it's time," he said in an interview with the Justice. "No excitement but also no regret at all."  

-Tate Herbert contributed reporting