Whitford tells seniors to 'help write the story' at Class Day

Emmy award-winning actor Bradley Whitford exhorted the Class of 2007 this morning to engage proactively with a society where "fake honesty" is practiced as much in politics as in acting.

"Charisma will always blur content," said Whitford, who is best known for his role in the popular television show "The West Wing." He balanced criticisms of the Bush administration with jokes, urging graduates to use their education and intelligence to tackle politicized issues such as climate change.

"If this country is to succeed," he said, "you will all have to get up out of your seats, turn on the lights, and help write the story."

Whitford discussed the role of television in politics, and, in light of the 2008 presidential election, emphasized the distinction between a candidate "seeming presidential and actually being qualified."

"Willing suspension of disbelief," he said, "is a fun thing to do in a dark theater... but it is a dangerous thing to do when the fate of an accelerating shrinking planet is at stake."

With graduates dressed in their orange and black beer jackets, Class Day follows Baccalaureate with a lighter tone and is the second ceremony of graduation weekend, leading up to Commencement tomorrow morning.

Class Day serves as a forum for honoring members of the graduating class and this year's ceremony began with a moment of rememberance for Alex Adam, Alan Ebersole and Melissa Huang, three members of the Class of 2007 who died before reaching graduation.

Former dean of admission Fred Hargadon was also present at the ceremony. "Dean Fred," as he is affectionately called, received a standing ovation from the seniors as he took the lectern. The Class of 2007 was the last class admitted by Hargadon before his retirement in 2003.

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Hargadon thanked the class — calling them the "class of destiny," the same term used by emeritus English professor John Fleming GS '63 in his Baccalaureate address yesterday — and urged them to continue exploring new paths after college.

Former class president and newly elected young alumni trustee Jim Williamson '07 also spoke, encouraging seniors to thank parents and professors for their guidance.

Williamson and Alex Lenahan, former USG president, received awards for service to their class and to the University. Laura Boyce, Joshua Williams, Aitalohi Amaize, and Danielle Hamilton were awarded for the leadership and character they demonstrated during their years at Princeton.

Seniors Scott Wolman and Andy Hoover delivered brief, humorous speeches. Wolman challenged the much-discussed real world to "bring it on," while Hoover encouraged the class to live lightheartedly.

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"We can't afford to forget that, in the end, we're really just primates," Hoover said.

Alisha Holland and Lester Mackey were honored for winning the Pyne Prize, which they were awarded in February. Drew Frederick was recognized for his involvement in community service while at Princeton.

Athletic awards were given to 10 members of the Class of 2007: Jon Charlesworth, Jeff Terrell, Peter Trombino, Elyse Colgan, Kathleen Miller, Claire Rein-Weston, Dustin Kahler, Caitlin Reimers, Brig Walker and Sandy Zaeh.

As Class Day speaker, Whitford was named an honorary member of the Class of 2007. Retiring chemistry professor Maitland Jones, grandparent class president Murray Peyton '57 and Rocky-Mathey dining hall manager Charlie Wilder were also made honorary members of the class.