Clark University Holds 109th Commencement

Carolyn Mugar Receives Honorary Degree on Behalf of Farm Aid and Armenia Tree Project

WORCESTER, Mass.—Clark University held its 109th commencement on Sun., May 19. Carolyn Mugar, the executive director of Farm Aid, and founder of the Armenia Tree Project (ATP), delivered the commencement address and imparted lessons from the early days of both organizations. Mugar was married to the late John T. O’Connor, who served as a Clark trustee from 1997 to 2001. O’Connor died at the age of 46.

Clark University commencement speaker Carolyn Mugar (third from left) with Farm Aid staff Glenda Yoder and Jennifer Fahey, ATP director Jason Sohigian, and Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian.
Clark University commencement speaker Carolyn Mugar (third from left) with Farm Aid staff Glenda Yoder and Jennifer Fahey, ATP director Jason Sohigian, and Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian.

“Don’t wait for your life to begin,” she urged the graduates. “When you see what’s wrong, there is always something you can do, no matter what your age.”

Mugar told the story of Farm Aid, and how musician Willie Nelson, whose original plan was to host just one concert to raise money and awareness for family farmers, sparked a movement and earned himself a reputation as the most committed visible supporter of family farmers.

“Yes it’s good to think ahead, to plan, but often the best thing is to simply act. Just take that first uncertain step, and then take the next, and keep going,” said Mugar. “Don’t spend any time standing still in fear about which road to take. Just get moving. Life happens when you make choices, when you take action.”

The philanthropist/activist reassured the graduates that the future would be okay because of what they themselves will do. “With ordinary human courage and vision, with the particular special tools Clark has given each of you, with the hands-on experience you already have, together with others, you have the capacity to do what needs to be done,” she said.

Mugar accepted an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters on behalf of Farm Aid and the Armenia Tree Project—two organizations, she said, “that know the importance of courage, vision, and community.”

In his introductory remarks, the president of Clark, David Angel, told the graduates, “While some are pessimistic about what lies ahead for our country and our world, those of us who have spent time with Clark graduates are optimistic about our common future.”

“The difference you have made on our campus inspires us,” Angel continued. “We are confident that you—our graduates—will challenge convention and change our world for the better.”

For the first time ever at Clark, the senior speaker used slam poetry to address her fellow graduates. Abigail E. Petkov, of Highland Park, N.J., delivered a poem inspired by Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” Petkov graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.

“The impact that we can have on this world is limitless. But in order to feel as though our lives have been complete, the determination rests on us. We get to decide the paths of our lives. And our potential is boundless,” she said.

Petkov’s poem ended with the words, “See, we are very fortunate. We are here, now, and good. And we believe in good. And we are only just arriving. Our light is not dying. The potential of our lives has only just begun to illuminate. We are here. We are free. And we are strong.”

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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