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The Daily Tar Heel

Bloomberg addresses seniors at 2012 commencement ceremony

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg addresses the 32,000 in attendance at Kenan Stadium for Commencement on Sunday.

The class of 2012 took almost 30 minutes to fill, and then overfill, the Kenan Stadium student section. With them they carried items ranging from a bright pink umbrella to a small planted tree.

Chancellor Holden Thorp presided over the ceremony and started by addressing the seniors.

“This is your day, and all of us join you in a celebration of your academic achievement,” Thorp said.

Speaker Michael Bloomberg began his commencement address with several Tar Heel cheers, and said innovation will make graduating seniors successful.

“Light and liberty; that is the motto of your university, and I believe it will be the motto of the twenty-first century,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg said last week’s passage of Amendment One is an example of a restriction of liberty. The New York City mayor then concentrated on the value of a UNC degree.

“Only a lack of education can hold you back in America, and today you’ve cleared the bar,” Bloomberg said. “Failure is the world’s best teacher, and education is a lifetime journey.”

Board of Governors member Hannah Gage presented chemistry professor Linda Spremulli with the board’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

UNC-system President Thomas Ross said he is confident the class of 2012 will improve and give back to their community while pursuing personal success.

“We are here today to pay tribute to you, the class of 2012, and all of us are proud of you,” Ross said. “Go forth, do well, and do good.”

During the ceremony, Bloomberg received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UNC, and renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis received a Doctor of Music degree.

Class of 2012 Vice President Mohammad Saad was the final speaker, and said seniors should be grateful for their time at UNC.

The ceremony ended with a rendition of “Carolina In My Mind” by the Clef Hangers and Thorp.

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