Jeffrey King, of Pownal, Vt. and Jonathan Goranson, of Groton, look over the Commencement Edition of the school newspaper before Saturday's ceremony.View Slide Show

"Your job is to keep it."

Kerry, who was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree at the ceremony, kept the speech light, alternately poking fun at himself and his close race in 2004 and lampooning current Republican leaders.

"I did a little research on your speakers at commencements and I know that, last year, Attorney General Martha Coakley was here and before that, it was my good friend Ted Kennedy. And I couldn't believe the big name the school got as its first commencement speaker back in 1894 — John McCain," Kerry said immediately before launching into another joke aimed at the Republic presidential nominee.

"You know, when you run for president nowadays, it's very tough. They ask you any kind of question in the world. And, of course, the famous question is — boxers of briefs? And I won't tell you what I said but Barack Obama recently said 'I wear both because I look great in both.' When they asked John McCain, he said 'Depends.'

Despite the jokes, the message was clear.

"When I came back from Vietnam in 1969 and demonstrated against the war in 1971, we were challenged for our patriotism, much as we were in '04," said Kerry. "When someone would shout at us, 'Haven't you ever heard the words, my country right or wrong?' — in other words, don't challenge, don't ask questions, don't fight to change, my country right or wrong - we'd say to them 'I agree with that.' My country right or wrong. When it's right, fight to keep it right. When it's wrong, make it right. That's what I hope you'll do."

Kerry left the ceremony immediately following his speech to be bedside with Sen. Edward Kennedy, who suffered a seizure early Saturday morning.

Beyond the Neutral Zone

In his address to the graduating class, senior Jonah J. Slattery, a Pittsfield native, said MCLA, as a community of congeniality and kindness, had transformed its students from "wee pups with nervous smiles to grown adults."

"College is like the intermediary between our immature childhood and our complex adult life. It's like the referee at a wrestling match, the neutral zone separating the warlike Klingons from the peaceful Federation. It is the gateway by which the foundation of our future is laid," said Slattery.

And the future for many of MCLA's newest alumni is bright.
 
Brothers Roberto, 27, Giovanni, 24, and Fabricio Viquez, 24, of Williamstown, all received their degrees in business administration on Saturday and all three are moving on to work at Met Life after graduation.

"We're looking forward to it. I think it's scary but if you work hard, you should be able to make it," said Roberto.

Friends and frequent theater collaborators Matthew Tibbs and Doran Hamm recounted fond memories and fielded hugs and offers of congratulations from teachers, parents and students on the Murdock Hall lawn after the ceremony.

"I have so many favorite memories," said Tibbs, 23, who recalled a time where he returned to his dorm room to find all of his possessions covered in tin foil. "I'm just going to miss this place."

Plans for the boys postgraduation include some traveling, some theater work and some time off to relax before moving onto the next major life event.

Ariana Wilder, representing the master's of education candidates in a speech during the ceremony, reflected on her life as a student and educator.

"Here at MCLA, we have encountered a vast array of educators and professors, each with a different style and way of engaging students, some we will emulate and others whose mistakes may have been the best lesson of all. When I think about what I learned in school at MCLA, I am struck by a common thread — the need for self-reflection and growth to make change," Wilder said.

Put Me Coach

For Grant, whose own commencement took place 25 years ago, the lessons learned at MCLA will help the class of 2008 clear the obstacles ahead.

"From what I know of you, you will not be content to sit on the sidelines. You will be in the game. And, this is a very good thing for the rest of us, because, my friends, you have some work ahead of you," Grant said in her charge to the class.

"This commencement does not deliver you to a perfect world — if only that were the case. I know it does not surprise you that you will face some serious challenges," she said. "For the many challenges ahead, knowledge alone is not enough. Knowledge must be tempered with wisdom and experience, with humility and humanity, with grace and with humor."