On Saturday, Jan. 31, the 123 members of the Class of 2008.5 celebrated the conclusion of their college careers at Mid-year graduation. After attending the celebratory ceremony in Mead Chapel, parents and friends headed over to the Snow Bowl, where the graduating Febs skied, snowboarded and snowshoed down Allen Slope.
The Ceremony commenced at Mead Chapel where Senior Class Speaker Jack Lysohir discussed the uniqueness of being a Feb as well as the challenges the graduating class must face in the future.
Lysohir discussed how the class of 2008.5's decision to wait a semester before pursuing their academic endeavors at Middlebury helped them become successful, well-rounded students.
"Doing something a little bit different before we went off to college is surely not responsible for all of our class' successes, but I would wager that it definitely helped," said Lysohir.
Lysohir also joked about the uncertainty of life after college and the challenges students must face to make a life for themselves.
"[We will ski] down the Allen Slope and back into the loving embrace of our families ... and, for many of us, continue to descend back into our parents' basements," said Lysohir.
Afterwards, Augustus A. Jordan, acting dean of the College, presented the Jason B. Fleishman Award to two graduating Febs, Jeff Stern and Carrie Bryant. This award is given in recognition of Jason Fleishman '03.5, a Feb who tragically passed away a day after his graduation.
According to Jordan, the recipients of the award exemplify the characteristics of Jason Fleishman who, according to Jordan exhibited "Feb and college pride, academic passion and determination, excellence in leadership and involvement, a confident attitude and care for others."
President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz then gave the President's Address, where he emphasized that learning is a lifelong process and does not simply end after graduation.
"As you put your intelligence, creativity and goodwill to work for the common good, remember to exercise humility," said Liebowitz. "Leave space for the reality that you have lots to learn and can and will learn a great amount from others."
Liebowitz also encouraged students to cherish the friendships they have made and to utilize all of the skills they learned at Middlebury throughout their lives.
"May all that you learned and experienced here serve you well throughout your life," said Liebowitz.
Family and friends then headed over to the Snow Bowl where they excitedly waited for the graduating Febs, all of whom were dressed in black robes and proudly wearing mortarboards, to come down the mountain.
Many students skied or snowboarded down Allen Slope, while others snowshoed or were even pulled in sleds by their classmates. At the bottom of the slope several celebrated with a bottle of champagne and posed for pictures with classmates and family members.
In addition to the February Celebration, Febs are invited to take part in Middlebury's formal commencement in May, where the College officially commemorates the graduation of all students who have completed their studies in the 2008-2009 academic year.
Out of the 123 students that graduated this February, 92 of them were initially admitted as Febs and 31 either accelerated their studies or took some time off to become Febs. English was the most popular major of the Class of 2008.5 and more graduates call Massachusetts home than any other state.
Written by TIM O'GRADY
