Former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, addresses Grinnell College class of 2002
Full Text of Reich's Speech (click here)

It didn't take long for Robert Reich, former secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, to get the attention of the 340 students of the 2002 Grinnell College graduating class as he sized up their chances for the future during his commencement address.

"Washington, D.C., can be a rough place," Reich said of his time in the nation's capital. "As you can see, my years in the cabinet wore me down. [So] I left Washington before I vanished."

Reich, currently a professor of economics at Brandeis University and a Democratic candidate for the governor of Massachusetts, is 4 feet 10 1/2 inches tall, and made a big impression as he discussed the graduates' prospects for the future.

"Your first real job won't last long," he said. "It's an opportunity to get your bearings, discover some things about yourself. [And] here's the hard part. Knowledge isn't enough. You also need some wisdom."

Under faultless weather, the class of 2002 and Grinnell College bestowed honorary degrees to

° Robert Reich, a Doctor of Laws ° Raymond D. Horton '62, a Doctor of Humane Letters ° Vera Cooper Rubin , a Doctor of Science

Among the students, Kendra Marie Young '02, a Rhodes Scholar, was awarded the President's Medal, and Jacob Nathan Rhoads '02, received the Andrew W. Archibald Prize for Highest Scholarship.

Linda Hampton, an instructor at Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, Iowa, was awarded the Outstanding Iowa Teacher Award.

President Russell K. Osgood also recognized George A. Drake '56, former president of Grinnell College and a professor of history, for his many years of service to Grinnell College and to education. Drake is leaving active teaching.

Roberta Atwell, professor of education, and Victor S. Verrette, professor of French, were named faculty members emeriti and recognized for their active role at the College.