EDPA Chief Addresses UA Spring Commencement Ceremonies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The hopes and fears of this generation of college graduates was the theme of the commencement address given by James P. Hayes Jr., president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, at today’s University of Alabama spring commencement ceremonies.

Hayes also had a larger audience than past commencement speakers because today’s ceremonies, for the first time, were broadcast live over the Internet. The webcast will be archived on UA’s website, http://www.ua.edu, and will be available for viewing until May 30.

Two University-wide commencement ceremonies were held today, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, to award degrees. Today’s ceremonies included some 2,500 degree candidates. UA holds commencement ceremonies three times a year — in May, August and December.

“I hope you will take the experiences and contacts the University has provided and continue adding friends to help you because I have many fears for your generation,” said Hayes, who spoke at both ceremonies and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Another recipient of an honorary degree was Dr. John Hicks, secretary of the UA Board of Trustees and executive assistant to the chancellor. Hicks is retiring this summer after 25 years of service.

“I fear that my generation, the generation that mastered the art of dissent and protest, has given you a world with problems that cannot be solved by debate and compromise,” said Hayes. “I fear that you will never again have the comfort of freedom that my generation inherited and has failed to pass along.

“But what I fear most is that you will not realize that you can do so much better than my generation until it is too late to act, and the problems we have passed to you will only be an even larger burden for the next generation,” he continued.

Hayes added, that even with all of these fears, he has great hope for the graduates and their future.

“You are smarter and more informed than my era. I trust that you leave without the Vietnam induced cynicism that we took with us and that you will face your future with more of a sense of hope, enthusiasm and determination to make it better for those who follow,” Hayes said.

A native of Brewton, Hayes received both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in industrial engineering from UA. Prior to joining the Partnership, Hayes held several key positions for the state of Alabama, including senior advisor to Gov. Don Siegelman, director of the Alabama Development Office, and revenue commissioner and land commissioner. He also served as director of planning and acquisitions for The Louisiana Land & Exploration Co.

With this graduating class, UA has awarded more than 189,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university. UA holds commencement ceremonies three times a year.