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The 238th Commencement
Juliet V. García Will Deliver Baccalaureate Address on May 27, 2006
University of Texas–Brownsville President Juliet V. García will deliver the baccalaureate address to Brown University’s graduating seniors on Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in America. PROVIDENCE, R.I. — University of Texas–Brownsville President Juliet V. García will deliver the baccalaureate address – titled “Drip, Drip, Drip: What Is Your Noble Purpose?” – to graduating seniors at Brown University on Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in America. 
Because seating in the church is sufficient only for the graduating class, family and friends may watch a video simulcast of the entire Baccalaureate Service on The College Green, in Sayles Hall or in Salomon Center. García, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree during the University’s 238th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 28, became the first Mexican-American woman in the nation to become president of a college or university when she was selected in 1986 to lead Texas Southmost College in Brownsville. She is the visionary behind the unique partnership between the University of Texas–Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, a community college. The recipient of numerous awards, García is regularly included on lists of most influential Hispanics. She served as chair of the American Council on Education, was a commissioner on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, and is the former chair of the Advisory Committee to Congress on Student Financial Assistance. Her address will unpack how the noble actions of one person may seem insignificant, yet, over time, one’s thoughtful and purposeful actions can create opportunities that change the course of generations. The Baccalaureate Service The Baccalaureate Service is a medieval tradition incorporating the custom of presenting the candidates for the degree of bachelor (bacci) with the laurels (lauri) of sermonic oration. Brown’s president delivered the baccalaureate sermon until 1937, when Henry Wriston, the first University president who was not a Baptist minister, assumed office. The multifaith service begins with the Lion Dance, a Chinese New Year tradition in which the lion banishes evil spirits and brings good luck to the places where he dances. There will then be a Muslim call to prayer, followed by a Hindu blessing, a Baha’i reading, a Christian reading, a Jewish text and a text from the Zen Buddhist tradition. For questions on commencement, please contact the Office of University Events at (401) 863-2474. Members of the press should contact Media Relations at (401) 863-2476. ###### Media Relations Home | Top of File | e-Subscribe | Brown Home Page | ||||