Nearly 500 graduates passed across the stage at Castleton's 226th commencement ceremony on Saturday, bringing to close the 2012-13 academic year. Darren Perron (’95), award-winning anchor for WCAX Channel 3 News, addressed the thousands of family and friends in attendance with a message of learning from one’s mistakes.
“If you don’t do something stupid when you’re young,” quipped Perron. “You won’t remember something funny when you’re old.”
Perron’s address brought laughter and cheers from the large crowd, as he remembered fondly his time at Castleton and his childhood in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. “In a lot of ways, it feels like coming home… and my, how home has changed!” He exclaimed, marveling at the new site of the commencement ceremony, the Castleton Pavilion which opened this fall.
As has become tradition, Castleton President, Dave Wolk, began the proceedings with the presentation of four awards. Denny Shramek, English Department Chair, was awarded the Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Award which is given annually to the faculty member whose excellence in teaching influences students well beyond graduation. Brett Zeggil was honored as with the Leonard C.Goldman (’59) Distinguished Senior Award, an annual honor given to the graduating senior who has excelled in and out of the classroom, contributed to community service, and served as an example to others. Candy Fox, a freelance reporter and part-time Castleton faculty member, was awarded the Endowed Outstanding Part-time Faculty Award. Finally, new to this year’s awards, is the Dick and Pat Richardson Full-Time Faculty Award, which was given to Harry McEnerny.
Once all of the degrees had been conferred, President Wolk brought the day’s largest cheer by exclaiming: “You have made a difference at Castleton. Now go out and make a difference in the world. Ladies and gentlemen… the Class of 2013.”