Graduates in the Steele Hall arena celebrate.

SUNY Fredonia commencement keynote speaker James McLeod told graduates Saturday morning they were packing so much more than belongings as they were about to leave campus.

The Class of 1971 graduate and former Buffalo City Court judge said, “While you’ve been here, you’ve been packing just for this moment. You’ve been packing not only books, but the knowledge you’ve gained from your professors and storing them, for whatever profession you’ve chosen to pursue. You’ve been packing away the memories of the many friends you have made, memories you will fondly cherish forever. You’ve been packing compassion and kindness that is so needed around the globe today, to share with others that you have yet to meet. Now, you must take all of this as you leave, but always keep what you’ve been packing nearby, and use the gifts that you’ve gained whenever and wherever they are needed.”

McLeod called SUNY Fredonia “the institution which helped me prepare for all that I’ve been blessed with and accomplished in my life” as he began his speech. He initially thought University President Stephen Kolison was pranking him with his invitation to speak — recalling his days on campus when McLeod was the first person from his Utica family to attend college and was known as something of a radical.

He said the tradition of SUNY Fredonia hasn’t changed since the ’70s: “Prepare the students to become skilled, connected, creative and responsible citizens wherever they go once they leave this physical campus.”

McLeod then made his packing metaphor. He went on to urge graduates not to forget faculty, staff, friends, and family who encouraged them in their journey.

SUNY Fredonia alumnus and retired Buffalo City Court Judge James A.W. McLeod addresses the morning ceremony graduates as the keynote speaker.

“As you continue on this journey, don’t ever get so full of yourself that you forget who you are and where you came from. Don’t forget to always focus on the joys of each day of this life,” he said. “Once in a while, try, just try to help the human race return humanity to humanity. … As you climb that ladder of success, lift those behind you.”

He concluded with these words to the Class of 2023: “I wish you all good luck and success in the world, and as I used to write in the Leader when I wrote a column way back in 1971, I would always end with, ‘Peace and struggle.'”

In his charge to the Class of 2023, Kolison encouraged everyone to care for the welfare of others. “If you want to be truly successful in endeavors that involve others, then in your interactions with people, treat them with empathy, dignity, integrity, and grace.”

In all, more than 900 undergraduates, graduate students and advanced certificate recipients were eligible to participate.

Senior Class President Hannah Barden reflected on the collective experience of the graduating class. “As I look out today, I see an accomplished group–many of whom have gotten to know each other, and many of whom remain relative strangers. And yet, we have all influenced one another’s particular college experiences in some way,” said Barden, a native of Ithaca, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree Communication-Communication Studies, Summa Cum Laude, with minors in Environmental Studies and Psychology.

Alyssa Bump receives the Lanford President Prize from President Kolison and Provost David Starrett.

Other highlights included the awarding of the Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation.This year’s recipient, Alyssa Bump, of Cuba, N.Y., graduated with concurrent degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Communication-Journalism and Bachelor of Science in Communication-Public Relations with a minor in English, Summa Cum Laude.

The National Anthem was performed in the morning ceremony by Kayla Sorensen, who received a Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Summa Cum Laude. In the afternoon it was performed by Rebecca Hammack, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Musical Theatre, Magna Cum Laude. Student performance groups included the Commencement Wind Ensemble/Commencement Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Paula Holcomb, and the Fredonia Chamber Choir under the direction of Vernon E. Huff.

Class President Hannah Barden with her special message to her classmates.