Victor Navasky '54, best known for his illustrious career in journalism as editor and publisher of The Nation, shared his thoughts about political caricatures with the campus community during the annual Thomas B. McCabe Lecture. In his talk, Navasky considered the significant influence that caricatures can have on the political arena and explored why the medium may be more incendiary than other forms of journalistic expression. Navasky currently serves as the George Delacorte Professor of Magazine Journalism at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and recently published Mission Accomplished! Or How We Won the War in Iraq.

At her first Listening Tour event, President Chopp says she came away from the evening "impressed – and not the least bit surprised - by the thoughtfulness of Swarthmore alumni, family, and friends and encouraged by the support and enthusiasm for the college, and for my new role here."

In more than a dozen future events, and in general, she adds she is "particularly eager to gain insight into which aspects of the Swarthmore experience should endure; what values we most treasure; and how those values can help shape our decisions as we look forward to the future together."

Of particular interest may be her reflections on community service (38:50), strategic planning (40:55), and consensus decision making (48:17). more

Members of classes ending in "4″ and "9," plus numerous family members and friends, celebrated on campus at this year's Alumni Weekend.

"Sweet Sweet Honey" by Joe Raciti '05.

President Bloom answered a variety of questions at a lively session during Alumni Weekend 2009. The subjects he addressed include how to ensure diversity on campus (:50), the breadth of Swarthmore's academic curriculum (6:20), and the future of the liberal arts education (11:50).

At Swarthmore's 137th commencement on May 31, 2009, President Alfred H. Bloom awarded honorary degrees to Mary Schmidt Campbell '69, dean of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and professor and chair of art and public policy, and James C. Hormel '55, a philanthropist devoted to social justice and human rights and the first openly gay ambassador in U.S. history. Bloom himself received an honorary degree on the occasion of his departure from the College after 18 years as president. The senior speaker, as voted by his classmates, was Sonny Sidhu '09.

Before receiving their degrees, candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in engineering surprised the audience and their classmates with red confetti, the unfurling of a pirate flag, and a figure that mysteriously self-inflated.

More Commencement 2009.

The 2009 senior class speaker, as voted by his classmates, was Sonny Sidhu '09, who graduated with a major in film and media studies and dual minors in history and religion. In his introduction, President Bloom remarked on his "passion for exploring the potential of human-computer interactions to alter and enrich human experience."

In awarding Mary Schmidt Campbell '69, dean of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and professor and chair of art and public policy, the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, President Bloom described her as "a tireless champion of artists and the arts, a powerful educator, an esteemed scholar, and a visionary interpreter of the role of artistic expression in our cultural, ethical, and political lives."

In awarding James C. Hormel '55, a philanthropist devoted to social justice and human rights and the first openly gay ambassador in U.S. history, the degree of Doctor of Laws, President Bloom noted that his "care for humanity, expressed in transformative activism and philanthropy, place you among the alumni of this College who have had the greatest impact on shaping a more inclusive and generous world."

Before receiving their degrees, candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in engineering surprised the audience and their classmates at Commencement with their customary prank. For the Class of 2009, this included red confetti, the unfurling of a pirate flag, and a figure that mysteriously self-inflated.

More Commencement 2009

During an ice cream social for the community held on Parrish lawn, Maurice Eldridge '61, vice president for college and community relations, joined faculty members and students to praise President Alfred Bloom and his legacy at the College. Bloom then took the stage to make his own brief remarks before his official portrait was unveiled.