Honored Guests, Deans, Staff and Faculty, Fletcher friends and family-on behalf of the class of 2003 I would like to welcome you to our graduation ceremony in the ever sunny Boston. Many of you have traveled a long way to be here today, and first and foremost we would like to thank all of you, for making the journey today and for your continued guidance, your encouragement, your good humor and your support during our time here. We would like to thank Dr El-Baradei for accepting our invitation to address us today; we are truly honored. And we would also like to thank Dean Bosworth, the Deans, the faculty and the staff-we really appreciate all your hard work on behalf of us, and on behalf of the school-thank you.

One of the most important and enduring lessons we all learn here is never get between a Fletcher student and a free lunch, so considering the proximity of the reception tent and the firmness of the chairs, I promise this speech will mercifully brief.


Our class of 2003 set sail together for the first time in August on our very special voyage of intellectual learning and growth-and as you can tell from the volume of noise today we are very very proud of our classmates, relieved to have finally passed our language exams, and ecstatic to be graduating. oAlthough today we are all wearing the same stylish robes and these terribly fetching flat hats, and of course we all now have graduate degrees, in many ways we are an incredibly diverse group of people. The class of 2003 comes from 47 different countries-from Canada to Israel, from Egypt to Vietnam, from Old Europe to the new states of the Former Soviet Union, from Kenya to the United States itself. Between us we also speak a rainbow of different languages, from Lithuanian to Thai, Swahili to Urdu, Swedish to British English, we also cover the whole spectrum of religious beliefs and have diverse professional backgrounds: from Lawyers to Bankers, from Journalists to Serving Military Officers-


Considering the incredible breadth of our diversity, our closeness and cohesion as a class is remarkable. And as a class we are also immensely proud and supportive of each other, and terribly modest about our own personal achievements and talents. I am going to spare blushes and not name names but our achievements during our time as students here include publishing articles in newspapers and journals, competing in national legal competitions, organizing nationally reviewed conferences, and receiving national awards for excellence. As a class we have also continued to edit, compile and publish our own journals including The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs and the development journal Praxis, and of course the Fletcher Ledger. We also have a myriad of classmates with outstanding artistic and creative talents, as evidenced by the Perspectives photo exhibits and our amazing culture nights?Fiesta Latina, Africa Night, Asia Night, and Mediterranean Night.

Some students today are wearing a green ribbon as a symbol of their life long pledge to environmental sustainability and it is true to say that at Fletcher we are passionate about our studies, from world trade law to human rights law, from development economics to financial analysis, from security studies to oceanic studies. And one of the most important lessons we have learned is to appreciate different perspectives, and to treasure our interactions with each other and with our incredible Fletcher Professors, who mentor and encourage us in our intellectual exploration. Some fellow students who started this journey with us in 2001, are sitting in the audience today and will be receiving their degrees in 2004, 5 and even 2006 because they are completing joint degree programs at law schools and medical schools. But their role as friends, classmates and when the occasion demands it--even class clowns--makes them an integral part of our memories of Fletcher and an integral part of our class, and we want you to know: we really do wish you were up here with us today.

Friendship is one of the most important gifts that we take with us from our time at Fletcher. Somehow despite the 9 months of winter, the stress of exams and our almost universal procrastination over the thesis, we have found time to share food and laughter, spent many late nights discussing our values, our hopes and our dreams, and in the process, we have founded some very special friendships. And it is the networks of friendships, support, mutual respect and understanding that bind us all together that will make our time at Fletcher so unique and memorable
And make Fletcher so difficult to leave.

In a few minutes our names will be called, and one by one we will walk up on this stage to receive our degrees. (Remember shake first, picture second). It takes courage to move on from what we are comfortable with, courage and patience to stay true to our hopes and dreams, and courage to realize our vision of the future, but as a class we have that courage and we are more than ready to make that transition. And, as graduates of Fletcher, our futures in public service will be just as diverse as our backgrounds: we will be starting our own businesses, consulting in the private sector, pursuing additional degrees, working for our own governments at home and in the diplomatic service abroad, and working for international organizations in some of the world's most beautiful places and challenging places, from Africa to Afghanistan.

And as our travels take us around the world and we take with us the knowledge we have acquired at Fletcher, the values of honor and integrity that embody the Fletcher community, we also take with us the special memories of our time at Fletcher, memories to be added to among us for the rest of lives. At this moment, May 18th 2003, the past is behind us, and the future stretches out before us but today--today-- is our day to take stock, to stand still and to celebrate. To celebrate our achievements, our hard work, our wonderful friendships, and our amazing Fletcher experience.

Honored guests, Deans, Faculty and Staff, and Fletcher Friends and Family, I would like to present to you the incredible and the truely inspirational, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Class of 2003.

May 18th 2003
Andrea Dew