In a speech entitled "Lear's Wisdom," Gerety used Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear to emphasize the dangers of "moral blindness" and importance of watching the world carefully in order to learn and to better oneself.
Gerety drew parallels between the challenges that King Lear faces and those that the incoming class will face in their years at the College. He spoke of first "how much happiness rests within us and not without [as] wealth and power mean very little up against death." He then continued to point out the importance of truthfulness as "the human world of Shakespeare" and the human world today "rises and falls on words truly spoken."
Gerety wrapped up his address with what he called "Lear's Wisdom." He advised those listening to do as Lear does and to learn "how much others suffer and how hard we must try to see this, to know it and to act on it."
"Look hard, see well," said Gerety as he wished the class well in their studies during the conclusion of his speech.
Before Gerety's speech, the College conferred honorary degrees upon Professor of English and Women and Gender Studies Michèle Barale, Professor of Religion Jamal Elias, Professor of English Judith Frank and Professor of English and American Studies Karen Sánchez-Eppler. Dean of the Faculty Lisa Raskin and Gerety present these honorary degrees each year during Convocation to associate professors who have reached the rank of full professor, usually six years after the associate first received tenure.
"It's a long-standing tradition at the College that when a professor reaches the rank of full professor, if he or she isn't already an Amherst college alumnus, they are awarded an honorary masters degree which symbolizes their joining the ranks of Amherst College degree holders," said Amherst Magazine Editor Douglas Wilson. "As President Gerety stated at Convocation, it draws them into the College community."
"I think the tradition is the College's attempt to claim us for itself and fold us to its bosom. It is a symbol ... that you've entered into the family-a family that doesn't believe in divorce," said Barale who began teaching at Amherst as a visiting assistant professor in the department of English 15 years ago. Elias has been at Amherst since 1989, while Frank and Sánchez-Eppler have been here since 1998.
The Women's Chorus, Glee Club and Concert Choir sang "Three Gifts," written by Amherst alumna Lisa Smith Van der Linden '89. The ceremony ended with "The Hymn to Amherst."