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Students, Families Honor Faith Traditions at Interfaith
Baccalaureate
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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 GWs 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.
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 Presidents
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 wouldnt
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.
Its a great way to say thank you for all our blessings,
said Lisa Meltzer, Jamies mother. Were 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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