Washington University celebrates 163rd commencement amid anti-war protests near campus
ST. LOUIS – More than 3,400 members of Washington University’s Class of 2024 filed into Francis Field on Monday morning for graduation. Just outside the stadium, Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX witnessed pro-Palestine demonstrators protesting the university’s ties to Boeing, a supplier for the Israeli military.
Student vocalist Neha George welcomed the graduates with a rousing rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Several speakers made reference to the protests taking place at Washington University and other American college campuses in recent weeks, evoking different responses from the crowd.
“You alone will reap the rewards or live with the consequences; and we’ve certainly seen that at play on our campus in these past few weeks. You witnessed firsthand how choices played out through your own experiences or those of your peers,” Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said. “Everything costs something. Everyone has a different idea of what they’re willing to pay. Let me say that again. Everything costs something. Everyone has a different idea of what they’re willing to pay.”
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The university suspended 23 students and nine employees for their role in anti-war protests on campus late last month.
“And even when that passion leads to disagreement, that results in difficult days, like those we’re experienced recently. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Andy Bursky, a member of Washington University’s Board of Trustees, said.
Award-winning actress Jennifer Coolidge delivered the commencement address before receiving an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. She, too, noted the unrest on college campuses, urging graduates to get involved in issues challenging the world.
“There is war and famine spreading across the world. As you know, protests on campuses across the world. Like some of you know here, it illustrates the urgent need for voices of brilliant, uniquely nuanced, and qualified graduates,” she said.
Coolidge encouraged the grads to chase what brings them joy in life and to be themselves at all-costs.
“Choose radical self-acceptance and compassion. It sounds so simple, and it is, but it is so hard to act on,” she said. “It takes bravery you don’t believe you have, but you do.”
A heartfelt message for trying times in an everchanging world.
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