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Students, Families Honor Faith Traditions at Interfaith Baccalaureate

Published May 17, 2004

By Laura Ewald

Representing many different religions and traditions, graduating seniors and their families and friends gathered Friday, May 14, at Western Presbyterian Church to celebrate GW’s Interfaith Baccalaureate Service. Welcomed by President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and encouraged by speaker Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), 500 people gave thanks for their blessings and renewed commitments to live out their beliefs.

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Interfaith Service

Joe Lieberman

Leaders from local Jewish, Protestant, Catholic and Hindu-Buddhist organizations invoked divine presence on the event and stressed the importance of celebrating diverse beliefs, reminding participants that all believers seek knowledge, peace and enlightenment. “I encourage you on your path. Remember that one who does good is never overcome by evil,” said Karin Sankhla, a Hindu-Buddhist chaplain.

“As a parent, I know from the heart how important this weekend is to parents,” Trachtenberg said. “This event combines the tradition of education with the tradition of faith, something very important to many members of the University community.”

At the ceremony, Trachtenberg honored not only the students and their families, but Lieberman as well, awarding Lieberman the President’s Medal for his public leadership and commitment to celebrating the diversity of faith in the United States.

“As a former presidential candidate, now I can at least say that I have a presidential medal,” Lieberman joked. Congratulating the graduates on their accomplishments as well as their beliefs, Lieberman also stressed the historical importance faith played in the founding of the United States.

“Our nation, uniquely, was founded by believers,” Lieberman said. “We live in a country that respects and embraces religions, in all its forms, and that tradition is something we honor today. Faith is an inspiration and a guiding force in our lives, and as you graduates move into the future, this is the perfect time to pause and give thanks for that guidance.”

Five graduating seniors representing four religions shared their experiences at GW, stressing the role that their beliefs played in making the University their home away from home. During her presentation, Anita Patel, a member of the Hindu Students Association, sang a prayer she learned when she was a child, a song that she said helped her remain calm and focused when she was faced with the challenges of student life. Also sharing his faith through music, graduating senior David Shapanka played the piano before and after the service and sang a spiritual during the ceremony.

Appreciating the beauty of the summer day and the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows in the church, Jamie Meltzer, a graduating senior from New Jersey attending the event with her mother, grandmother and a family friend, said she knew the baccalaureate would be an important part of graduation weekend her family wouldn’t want to miss.

“I knew this is something they would want to see,” she said. “My mother and I are Jewish and my grandmother is Catholic, so faith is important to my family.”

“It’s a great way to say thank you for all our blessings,” said Lisa Meltzer, Jamie’s mother. “We’re enjoying this beautiful day and this time we have together.”

©2004 The George Washington University Office of University Relations, Washington, D.C.
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