Interfaith Celebration of the Class of 2024
Terras Irradient
“Let them give light to the world”
Saturday, May 25, 2024 • 10–11:15 AM • Johnson Chapel
Baccalaureate marks the religious and spiritual significance of graduation and transition into the next life stage. Religious and Spiritual Life staff and student leaders will offer brief blessings and reflections, and Jean Esther, Buddhist teacher and psychotherapist, will offer the Baccalaureate address. Musical selections will be performed by the Zumbyes.
All members of the Amherst College community are welcome to attend.
Jean Esther, MSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in a mind-body approach to the healing of trauma. At the root of her work is more than 40 years of training in Buddhist meditation and psychology.
Program
PRELUDE:
Bist Du Bei Mir (If Thou Art with Me) • Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Voluntary in G • John Stanley (1712–1786)
Lawrence Picard, organ
Brooks Holmes, trumpet
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
Please stand as you are able.
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Text: Henry van Dyke (1852–1933)
Arranged by Brooks Holmes
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee, Earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o’er us, binding all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward, in the triumph song of life.
Amen.
WELCOME and LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Harrison Blum
Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
CALL TO SILENCE:
Roshi John Bailes
Buddhist Chaplain
BUDDHIST REFLECTION:
Manni Saavedra
Buddhist Study Group Student Member
CATHOLIC PRAYER:
Deacon Tom Lynch
Catholic Chaplain
CATHOLIC REFLECTION:
Chris Casey, Class of 2024
Newman Club Student President
HUMANIST REFLECTION:
LJ Boswell
Humanist Chaplain
HUMANIST REFLECTION:
Dorothy Nketia, Class of 2024
Humanist Group Student Member
MUSICAL SELECTION:
The Zumbyes
CHRISTIAN PRAYER:
Anthony Spina
InterVarsity Affiliate
CHRISTIAN REFLECTION:
Imani Gunnison, Class of 2024
Bi-Semester Chair, Remnant Student Leader
INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER:
Harrison Blum
Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS:
“Aligning with Goodness: A Reliable Path”
Jean Esther
Buddhist Teacher, Insight Meditation Tradition
MUSICAL SELECTION:
The Zumbyes
MUSLIM REFLECTION:
Taha Ahmad, Class of 2024
Muslim Student Association Student Member, Past President
JEWISH REFLECTIONS:
Diana Somorjai, Class of 2024
Hillel Executive Board Member
JEWISH PRAYER:
Rabbi Shahar Colt
Campus Rabbi
RECESSIONAL:
Please stand as you are able.
“Procesión Alegre,” Gary A. Cornell
Larry Picard, organ
Brooks Holmes, trumpet