Gov. Chris Gregoire today addressed the 2009 graduates of the University of Washington Tacoma. About 650 students participated in the commencement ceremony, which took place this morning in the Tacoma Dome.
Gregoire offered a note of hope based on what she called “an important similarity between today’s graduation and her own. She recalled the draft notices and discouraging job market she and her classmates faced upon earning their degrees from the UW.
Like you, we were leaving college and entering a very uncertain world. But as uncertain as the world seems right now, I couldnt be more optimistic for this class and your future, Gregoire said. My optimism rests on the decency and goodness of our people. Amidst all the troubling headlines, we sometimes overlook all the kindness and compassion that surround us.
Despite being mired in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Gregoire expressed confidence in citizens who will work for the well-being of others with empathy and service.
The governor singled out three graduates for their noteworthy achievements. Jean-Paul Willynck is the first UW Tacoma student to be appointed by Gregoire to serve on the universitys board of regents. Victoria Dunn and Mandeep Tumber were recognized for being the first students to graduate from the UW Tacoma after completing four full years of study on that campus. Their achievement was made possible by legislation Gregoire signed in 2005 that allowed UW Tacoma to become a four year university.
Todays ceremony also marked the first occasion that the institution graduated students with degrees in computer engineering and systems.
