An honorary doctorate of humane letters was awarded to the late Benjamin S. Ruffin, a Durham native who was appointed to the Board of Governors in 1991. Ruffin (pictured above right) became the first African-American to lead the UNC system’s governing body when he was elected its chairman in 1998. Considered to be a powerful advocate for higher education in the state, Ruffin was serving as chair emeritus of the board when he died in 2006.

“The impact of Ben Ruffin on North Carolina is something that I don’t know that we can overestimate,” said Chancellor John W. Bardo. “Ben took a leadership role in helping desegregate this state. He took a leadership role in assuring that all people of North Carolina could be treated as equal citizens. He was about equality and opportunity.”

Ruffin was key to passage of a 2000 bond issue that was the largest bond issue passed in the United States to support higher education, Bardo said. The more than $100 million WCU received from that bond issue funded construction of such facilities as the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

“There was no better friend to WCU than Ben Ruffin, and for that we are honoring him here today,” said Bardo.

Ruffin’s daughter, Benita Ruffin, accepted the honorary doctorate on behalf of the Ruffin family, and thanked WCU for remembering and honoring him.

“Higher education was very important to my father,” said Ruffin, who then spoke directly to the graduating students and shared a quote from him. “‘You can achieve whatever you set out to accomplish. A positive attitude coupled with strong aptitude will determine your altitude in life. It is not where you are coming from, but where you are going. It is not what your name is, but the name you make for yourself.’”

The primary commencement address was delivered by Cara Elizabeth Ward, a theatre and art major from Sylva. Ward (pictured at right) enrolled at WCU in fall 2002, but left the university in fall 2005 to serve 11 months as a unit supply specialist with the Army Reserve in Iraq. She returned to her studies at WCU, where she is enrolled in the university's Honors College, this fall.

“My job was to sweep, mop, sort office supplies and count boots in the back supply room,” said Ward. “But when my supply sergeant told me I had seven days to get those office supplies organized I thought, ‘That’s all I have to do this week? Seven days?’ I got that done in three. Compared to all the assignments I’d had to juggle throughout college, that task was a breeze. Because of the skills I learned here at Western, I was eventually made personally responsible for tracking over $20 million worth of equipment for the entire battalion.

“Graduates, your efforts have taught you how to meet a deadline. You know how to multitask and schedule your time. Whatever you face in life you can do it, because you’ve done it all before,” she said.

Approximately 560 students honored at the ceremony are candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees, pending final examinations and review. In Bardo’s charge to them, he shared his excitement about the future.

“We look forward, those of us who remain in Cullowhee, to following you as you contribute to your state, your community and to your family through all of your great works,” said Bardo. “Thank you, and again, congratulations.”

A complete list of graduates will be announced following the posting of grades from final examinations.

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Last modified: Monday, Dec. 17, 2007