From left: Monsignor Kerr, Queen Rania with her honorary degree, and Peter Mulloney, chair of the La Roche Board of Trustees.

The College hosted commencement ceremonies for 274 degree recipients at the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center on Saturday, May 4. At the ceremony, Queen Rania received the degree of Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Monsignor William A. Kerr, president of La Roche College.

"Your education has given you wings. Now you are set to soar, searching out a new future of promise," said Queen Rania, who is also the honorary chairperson for the Pacem In Terris Board of Governors at the College. "Each of you flies out into a waiting world, carrying with you great hopes - the hopes of families, of communities, of countries, of humankind."

Queen Rania's presence at commencement garnered media attention from both the CBS Weekend News and C-SPAN. In her remarks, the Queen called on the graduates to contribute in some way toward building a more peaceful world. The graduates also heard from Monsignor William Kerr, who invited them to make commencement a beginning to their education and not an ending.

Natasha Polas, president of the Student Government Association, carries the American Flag during the commencement procession.

"Learning is a lifelong process. In this world full of challenges, it is important for you to be lifelong learners," said Kerr. "Go out into the world and inspire somebody. If you do, you will make a difference."

Excerpts from Queen Rania's address to the graduates:

"The first offshoot of your La Roche education is knowledge. Possess it, and you possess the key to a world of ability and innovation - in business, in healthcare, in technology, in teaching. The analytical skills and information you have learned here will help you create a future for yourself and many others. Through your knowledge and talent, you will help nations bloom."

"But if we are to succeed, knowledge of things is not enough. In college, surrounded by people of different backgrounds and experiences, you have acquired the most noteworthy kind of knowledge - the knowledge of people. Here at La Roche, you have had the special opportunity to interact closely with students from around the world. You've experienced for yourselves how interconnected this world is. You have learned how much we have in common, the values we share, the positive results of teamwork and the team spirit."

Marie-Louise Twagilimana recieves her degree from William Kerr.

"In a world of many, the real lesson of life is 'we are one.' This lesson is especially important at a time when those who harp on differences would divide and separate us. I believe we must keep our doors and schools and minds open, to share and build on our common humanity."

"In fact, I suspect that after your experiences here, you probably could teach many global policymakers a thing or two. You know the dangers of a 'do it my way or no way' mentality. You know the importance of putting oneself in someone else's place and seeing through his or her eyes."

"Our world needs peace, but it cannot be a peace built on hatred and fear. It must be built on justice and mutual understanding. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: 'We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.'"

Faculty marshal Patrick Connolly addresses the graduating class.

"Today, everyone can make a difference, and everyone must try. We have no time to waste. We cannot afford to lose another generation to violence and despair. As we reach out for the benefits of 21st century technology and innovation, we have to fortify our reservoirs of mutual understanding and build great rivers of justice."

Counter clockwise from top: Natasha Polas, president of the Student Government Association, carries the American flag during the commencement procession; Marie-Louise Twagilimana receives her degree from Monsignor William Kerr; faculty marshall Patrick Connolly addresses the graduating class; students stand ready to receive their diplomas.