President Bush receives his honorary doctorate from the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, Concordia University President. Looking on is Dr. Leah Dvorak, recipient of the Ronald L. Berg Faculty Laureate.
Posted on 05/17/2004 8:05:12 PM PDT by new cruelty
MEQUON - His family waited for this moment for four years. And so did Vladimir Carville, who walked from Concordia University’s field house into the arms of his father, Pierre.
"We did it Dad," Vladimir said. "We did it."
Vladimir wasted no time to turn and embrace his mother, Emmanuelle.
"It makes me so proud," she said. "I can say this is my day. I am so proud of my son. This is a great day for all of us to rejoice in."
It was also a day that Vladimir, now a graduate in exercise leadership, won’t soon forget.
"Some people can’t remember who spoke at their commencement. I’ll never forget who spoke at mine," he said. "It was George W. Bush - the president of the United States. You can’t beat that one."
The Carvilles, who flew in from West Palm Beach, Fla., said the trip to see their son graduate and to also see President Bush speak at their son’s commencement ceremony was truly momentous.
"He spoke of something that all of us should have for one another and that is compassion," Pierre said.
Emmanuelle said she was taken in by Bush’s sense of humanity.
"He is a great man," she said. "He spoke of humanity and integrity and compassion. He is all of those combined. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word."
Graduate Katie Miske of Grafton, who picked up her master’s in educational administration, said: "That was so exciting. I was very excited I could actually be part of the ceremony. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was an amazing commencement address."
The extra security didn’t provide any inconveniences, she said.
"I’m just glad it could happen. It’s really an honor."
Miske’s fiance, Bret Van Dyken, a Wisconsin Rapids native now living in Gurnee, Ill., also attended.
"It was quite an honor to be here for it," the lieutenant in the U.S. Navy said. "A very good speech, glad to hear that he mentioned being compassionate."
Van Dyken made sure he was here for the event.
"I took a day of leave for it," he said.
"It was exciting," said Karen Chamberlain of Thiensville, who earned a master’s degree of science in nursing.
The speech, however, seemed to drag for her.
"I thought it was long," Chamberlain said. "It was a long day."
Jeff Grahovac of Hainesville, Ill., who graduated Friday with a degree in management and communications, said Bush’s address to the graduating students was enlightening.
"I really liked how he entwined religion with the culture of America," he said.
Grahovac’s mother-in-law, Barbara Pierce, also of Illinois, said Bush was "magnanimous."
"Bush is the epitome of American ideals," she said. "He exemplified that in his words today."
Pastor Eddie Smith of Milwaukee, who was in attendance to see one of his parishioners graduate, said Bush’s commencement address was "excellent," but not true to the president’s actions.
"If he would back up what he says he would have more credibility," Smith said. "I am a veteran and strongly believe the war is senseless. He says one thing and is doing another as we stand here right now. It’s all rhetoric."
Irina Pochtarev, who is originally from Moscow but resides in Shorewood, said having Bush at her graduation ceremony made it even more special than graduating itself.
"I loved everything he said. He spoke of compassion and care and that really touched me," she said.
Her daughter, Vera, said to see Bush so close was "amazing."
"I’m used to seeing him on television, but not as close as we were today to him," she said. "It was pretty cool to see President Bush and then to see my mom graduate."
Pochtarev’s husband, Alex, said he supports Bush 100 percent.
"What he says is true. We need to be more compassionate with one another. The government cannot always help us," he said. "We need to be there for one another."
Mitch Maersch of the West Bend Daily News contributed to this report.
This story appeared in the News Graphic on May 17, 2004.
President Bush receives his honorary doctorate from the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, Concordia University President. Looking on is Dr. Leah Dvorak, recipient of the Ronald L. Berg Faculty Laureate.
President Bush Delivers Powerful Pro-Life Speech at Concordia University
MEQUON, WI, May 17, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Speaking to graduates at Concordia University Saturday, U.S. President George Bush delivered a powerful pro-life message, saying, "Our greatest failures as a nation have come when we lost sight of our compassionate ideals -- in slavery, in segregation, and in every wrong that has denied the value and dignity of life."
The president pleaded, "America needs your good heart in meeting a basic responsibility: to protect and honor life in all its seasons. A compassionate society shows a special concern for those at the beginning of life, those at the end of life, and those who struggle in life with disabilities." To lively applause the President said, "Our worth as human beings does not depend on our health, or productivity, or independence, or any other shifting value the world might apply. Our worth comes from bearing the image of our Maker."
In obvious references to euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research, the President said, "This commitment to the value of every life also challenges our society. Technologies that have extended life also make treatment decisions harder at the end of life. New methods of research hold promise in treating disease. These innovations show the resourcefulness of humanity, and they must be guided by all the wisdom of humanity. Our standards must be high, and clear, and fixed. Life is not just a tool, or a commodity, or a means to other ends. Nothing good or just can be built on the destruction or suffering of others."
The President reminded the graduates that "Our Declaration of Independence calls life an endowment of the Creator, and on earth, an unalienable right." He encouraged them saying, "By your voice, and by your example, all of you can help to build a culture of life in America."
See the President's full address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/
2004/05/20040514-4.html
Just in case you missed this story... ping.
Where's this story on any "Mainstream" source? You won't find it. They just can't stand to print/broadcast anything that makes Bush look like a nice, decent man with a heart. Remember - Republicans can't be "warm-hearted" - they all want to starve the poor and only support the rich......
Co-inky-dink: "Barbara Pierce" also happens to be the maiden name of President G. W. Bush's mother.
President Bush before speaking at the Concordia graduation.
Nice story about "Dr. Bush".
Can you imagine this being said about Clinton or Kerry?
Thanks for the ping.
They used to call it the "IT factor" or "stardust". It was that special something that some people have that when they enter a room and make people notice. These special people have the ability to light up a room. George W Bush has it. Kerry doesn't have it. Gore didn't have it. George HW Bush didn't have it, but I think Barbara does. For the President, this charisma doesn't unfortunately come through on tv or at news conferences. It does come through at rallies and small meetings. That's why the more he tours, the more his support picks up in those areas. He has a secret weapon and it's not just the bully pulpit.
Thinking of ceremonies, I remember Bush being at one for a military graduation. The black naval cadet was so excited he came up and practically bowled over Bush, hugging him in his excitement. It was amazing. I was thinking that would have made the Secret Service sweat but it was really ok with Bush. Gore wouldn't have carried it off in a million years, and neither Kerry. It's what makes Bush special.
Thank you. I used the keyword "integrity" and this little story popped up.
Yep, that Concordia University is a great school.
I am a graduate of Concordia RF.
How cool
I was there working as volunteer "Event Staff", and this speech was just the best Commencement speech I have ever heard. I'm saying that from the vatage of hearing John F. Kennedy speak at my husband's Charter Day, which preceded his graduation from UC Berkeley in 1963.
The audience was enthused, animated, and very supportive of Bush. It was thrilling.
Really? When? My wife just got her master's degree in Early Childhood from RF two summers ago.
Absolutely not. Clinton is an unprincipled adventurer, and Kerry's so-called ideals are predicated on breaking eggs to make omelettes.
bump
This year; my degree is a BA in Political Science. For a long time, I wanted to move back out to Washington and work in the conservative movement, but alas, my drive to make money has led me to a Fortune 500 in the corporate world. Perhaps someday I will get back, although I doubt it. :(
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