News Center

May 9, 2015 – Allegheny College today honored approximately 470 students, four distinguished leaders and 200 years of Allegheny history at Commencement ceremonies in the historic college’s bicentennial year.

Political commentator and PBS NewsHour host Mark Shields, who was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the ceremony, delivered the commencement address. Over the past 40 years, Shields has steadily built one of the most respected reputations in the country for fair-minded and thoughtful political analysis.

“Don’t ever waste any of your time or energy worrying about what other people are thinking of you,” he advised the graduates, urging them to “go take on the world and tell them Allegheny sent you.”

In addition to Shields, honorary doctorates of humane letters were conferred on Daniel Rooney, former ambassador to Ireland and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers; to Patricia Rooney, a strong supporter of higher education and the liberal arts; and to John Herbert Niles, an Allegheny graduate who is known for his work advocating for the health of women and children in the Washington, D.C. area.

Rob Smith, Allegheny Class of 1973 and chairman of the college’s board of trustees, welcomed the graduates and their families.

“For those of you graduating at this point with an uncertain future, don’t despair at all,” Smith told the graduates. “What you learned at Allegheny will carry the day. Your Allegheny education will shine through when you speak, you write and you do. What Allegheny taught you will make a difference. The key is Allegheny has prepared you to have full and productive and satisfying lives, no matter what field of endeavor you undertake. Many of you will be leaders in careers that don’t even exist today.”

Saturday’s ceremony concluded with Allegheny president James H. Mullen Jr.’s charge to the college’s bicentennial class. He called on graduates to achieve at the highest level as professionals and as citizens, to employ the full measure of their promise and potential, to live lives of courage and conviction, to see and appreciate beauty even when others may not, to find joy and laughter in the challenge of their days and to never forget what it means to be a friend.

“I charge you to love this place that has been your home for the last four years,” said Mullen. “As it approaches its third century, help it as it sets the standard of excellence for liberal arts learning in America.”

Allegheny College is the 32nd oldest college in the nation.