Members of the Worcester Academy Class of 2008 were challenged to "think green" after leaving the Hilltop and heading off to college. The hope is that – by putting sustainability into action – the graduates can help meet the world’s current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sarah Hammond Creighton, director of the Office of Sustainability at Tufts University, was Graduation Speaker for the Academy's 174th Commencement Exercises, June 6. Ceremonies took take place on the Quad (the center Quadrangle that makes up the campus green) on the school's 81 Providence Street campus.
Dexter P. Morse, head of school at Worcester Academy, praised Creighton for her advocacy of environmental sustainability, both at Tufts and in society at large.
"Sarah Hammond Creighton is a committed proponent of green practices," said Mr. Morse. "In her role as director of the Office of Sustainability at Tufts, she serves as a bridge between ideas and their practical implementation.
"The message is clear. We need to have a world view that is global in nature and respectful of both diversity and natural resources if we are to succeed in the 21st century."
He noted that Creighton's selection as Graduation Speaker was a fitting conclusion to the 2007-2008 School Year, during which a student-led green initiative - the Green Cup Challenge - resulted in a 10 percent reduction in energy used by the Academy.
In addition to Creighton, speakers included Daniel Collins of Sterling, who gave the valedictory address, and Hannah Iaccarino of Shrewsbury, who gave the salutatory address.
One hundred forty-six graduates received diplomas, including students from the United States, Canada, Mainland China and Hong Kong, Haiti, Korea, Rwanda, Spain, Taiwan, and Thailand.
SARAH HAMMOND CREIGHTON
Sarah Hammond Creighton is director of the Tufts Office of Sustainability, which serves as a resource, a catalyst, and an advocate for environmental sustainability at Tufts. She holds a B.S. in Physics from Bates College and an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tufts.
Previously, she was Project Manager of Tufts CLEAN! – a program to reduce Tufts University's environmental impacts and Energy Conservation Planner for the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management.
Her book, "Greening the Ivory Tower: Improving the Environmental Track Record of Universities, Colleges and Other Institutions," is a motivational and how-to guide for staff, faculty, and students that offers detailed "greening" strategies for those who may have little experience with institutional change or environmentally friendly technologies.
CLASS OF 2008 SENIOR AWARDS
SIGMA CUP: Hannah Iaccarino
BUCKNELL SCHOLARSHIP: John Bunke
CLASS OF '35 PRIZE TROPHY: Gordon Lockbaum
CLASS OF 1890 ALL-AROUND ATHLETIC PRIZE: Camille Trainor
WILLIAM W. MCALPINE AWARD: Geoffrey Tyler
NEIL W. PETERS III AWARD: Aaron Faucher
THE REV. EDWARD MERRILL DART '27 Award: William Reich
MARC D. LEVINE LIFER AWARD: Peter Rawinski
GEORGE T. SARGISSON CLASS OF '27 AWARD: Kevin Mortimer
THE ALLAN GLAZER MEMORIAL AWARD: Jun Hwan Kim
THE DAVID A. ECHELMAN AWARD: Hannah Iaccarino
COLE PORTER '09 VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS AWARD: Courtney Duffy
H.G. RADER GRANT: Jibrael Younis
DONALD "DEE" ROWE AWARD: Hannah Iaccarino
SARAH DUEMMEL '94 MEMORIAL AWARD: Safira Amazon
ABOUT WORCESTER ACADEMY
Established in 1834, Worcester Academy is an urban day and boarding school with a diverse student population of 655. Of those students, about 140 are boarders; nearly 80 are from 10 different nations. The Academy enrolls boys and girls in Grades 6 to 8 (the Worcester Academy Middle School), and 9 to 12 and a postgraduate year (upper school). Its hallmark is student-centered teaching, and it boasts excellent academics, arts, and athletics. The Academy motto is "Achieve the Honorable."
