BOULDER, Colo.—The University of Colorado at Boulder conferred 2,197 diplomas for bachelor’s, masters, doctoral and law degrees at its winter commencement ceremony.
CU chemistry professor Margaret Tolbert said in the commencement address Friday that the world is at a “preservation crossroads” because of climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels.
The challenge is to produce the energy without so much pollution, said Tolbert, a member of the National Academy of Sciences known for her research on polar stratospheric clouds.
“The question is, where do we go from here?” Tolbert said. “It’s our turn to take action to preserve the planet.”
CU President Hank Brown told the graduates they are now liberated from homework, term papers and tests—and “free to work full time.”
“The measure of this university will be determined by your success,” he said.
He was given a standing ovation. Brown plans to leave CU next year once a replacement is found.
Environmental biology major Rachel Corey-Pacheco said her immediate plans were to be a ski bum but that she hopes to eventually work in conservation.
Paul Ginzburg, who graduated a semester early with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, said he’s taking time off to travel to postpone the job hunt.
“I’m not looking forward to the real world,” he said.
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Information from: Camera,
