An Alternate Commencement Address
The University of Massachusetts Boston
[Phyllis Wheatley Hall]
Commencement 2005
On Friday, June 3, 2005, I graduated with some 2,688 fellow college colleagues from the University of Massachusetts Boston. It was a beautiful day for a graduation as the heavens poured out a lot of sun, and, in our case, UMass Boston is sited on the scenic peninsula adjoining the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. The ocean's breeze was a welcoming effect as we waited to be a part of the pomp, circumstance and ceremony which were to be enacted.
As we all know, graduation day is a Day set aside for the graduates and though, personally, I have graced many a stage and platforms, at one point I felt anxious. It was this in mind that I wondered to myself how my fellow graduates were doing emotionally. I sat among some Latin -- Brazilian -- friends, Henrique Coelho and Gleisson Araujo. I have known Henrique for quite sometime as we both have done Advanced Spanish Grammar, Spanish being my major degree and political science [minor]; and Henrique's being English. I was, on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) of this year, introduced to Gleisson by Henrique. Although very attentive, throughout the ceremony, we occasionally chatted, in sotto voce, as the morning sun penetrated the Campus Center Lawn. I thank Henrique and Gleisson for helping me carry the Black, Green and Gold of my native Jamaica, as if to say: We are in solidarity with you, my brother. Other fellow graduates of mention include Sandra Haley, Bryan Gangemi, Jasper Kuo and Jesualdo Miranda.
For me, it has been a somewhat bitter-sweet experience at the University of Massachusetts Boston where I spent, in total some eight years, at times, as a part-time student. I started my undergraduate years at UMass Boston as a Chancellorian Scholar having won nomination in the area of "Distinctive Accomplishment in the Area of Public and Community Service." This award was accorded me due to the fact that at the tender age of 18 years old I won a seat on the St. James Parish Council in Jamaica, in March of 1981, and had to "shelve" my plans for higher education after graduating from the prestigious Cornwall College in Montego Bay. My elected political odyssey was to last some six years after which I lost re-election, when I contested the Catadupa Division, due to reassignment of political Divisions. During my tenure as a City Councillor I represented the Cambridge Division of St. James. It was this loss, however, which gave me the excuse of wanting to resume my quest for the holy grail -- Higher Education -- and though Harvard University was my first choice I became acquainted with the then Deputy Provost of UMass Boston, now Professor Emeritus Robert H. Spaethling, a dear friend of my father, Charles Adolphus Ramsay, also an alumnus of UMass Boston. I listened to reason, I was wooed and the rest is history. In the fall of 1989 I started classes and was deemed fit as the secretary of the Honors Program for the College of Arts and Sciences. With such responsibility and course work I was able to manage efficiently as these positions reminded me very well of my former posts as a major player and decision maker. All went well that semester including my paper, The UMass Times, which detailed the collapse of the Soviet Union; and later [the release of Nelson R. Mandela] and the dismantling of apartheid in racist South Africa; the reunification of Germany among other stories. George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and father of the current President George W. Bush [, the 43rd], was in the White House. We went on Winter Break; and for me, I enjoyed Christmas. [Historically, William Bill Clinton became the 42nd president of the United States of America].
The Spring Semester of 1990 commenced, I was in a good spirit as I met with classmates from the Honors Program and from other regular classes whom I had not seen since we broke for the recess. However, not knowing that I would be in for the SHOCK of my life and that semester I would be later charged with PLAGIARISM -- the subject matter being: A LOOK AT DANTE AND PETRARCA'S STYLES: (the capitals and choice of caption mine). This was a paper nestled deep in Renaissance tradition and one had to, at least have some craving for such romantic times, to produce a somewhat decent work of art. The discussion of Dante with his dearly beloved, Beatrice, seems more so "with utmost reverence." They appear far removed. However, with Petrarca and his Laura, they both seem closer together, in the flesh, and, therefore, more real. In sum, those were my musings, as I recollect and reflect on this momentous occasion, finally, my graduation from the University. That was indeed a bitter point, as my accuser, Professor Fiora A. Bassanese, had to tender a written "apology" on the advice of the administration. The damage was already done, unfortunately, and though with copies of said apology as testimony, and my response, professional assistance had to be sought. Such accusation, without proof, I will term as gross Academic Malpractice. That episode became my bitterness and through its gall, unfortunately, Fiora and I will be linked forever in a negative way. Despite this error of judgment, I still like her. However, try as we may, things have not been like before. We departed on our Summer Break exactly 15 years ago and it turned out to be a baptism by fire with my visit to relatives in Queens, New York, where I experienced and suffered severe depression and had to seek medical care. The gravity of the situation was so acute that I was not permitted, under doctor's orders, to return, that fall, to the University of Massachusetts Boston.
With the "determination and drive" alluded to by a former Jamaica Gleaner Flair Editor, Carmen Patterson, in her nomination letter of me for the Chancellorian Scholarship of Excellence, though not running on all engines, I decided to venture back into the garden of academia to try to finish that which I had started. In addition to scholastic, I worked at the William Joiner Center for veterans and it was there that I mingled and met some of the most interesting people, with real life stories, who have served their country, the United States of America, and through their entitlements decided to return to the classroom to further their education. One such person is John (Yianni) Koveos whom I met and has remained a personal friend today. My Veterans Upward Bound assignment also enabled me to meet even more defenders of the United States as, when in this position, I was practically running the entire office with the director, Charles Diggs, eventually negotiating a bargain which saw my contract with the TRIO Program and my friend and associate, John Koveos, joining me at the Program.
Things, unfortunately, started to take a turn for the worse and the old demon of depression revisited me. This second wave came around 1994 into 1995. My doctors advised that I should take "a break" and I departed UMass Boston at the end of the Spring Semester in 1995 with lots of uncertainties. My depression presented itself in a most interesting way; in that I blamed myself for this occurrence. I questioned myself as to what I could have done to prevent it but, through it all, I had one sure desire, and that was to complete my degree. I had the privilege to select a fine therapist, Linda Miller, with whom I have worked ever since. It is to her credit and that of my doctors that I was, some seven years later, in 2002, to return to the University of Massachusetts Boston. In my seven year absence many changes took effect, one of which is a Quantitative Requirement, a necessary for students entering the University after 2000. Although my previously earned 90-plus credits were carried forward there remains, at the end of the Day, this University Requirement for which I sought a College waiver. At this present time of writing, it is still not clear where my limbo-like situation stands. The fact of the matter is that with Friday's Commencement I did not venture to make bones about it since that I was given the courtesy to march and my dad, other invited guests and fellow honorees -- graduates -- enjoyed themselves. UMass Boston, unfortunately, has turned out to be my apparent Waterloo! The question arises: What would have happened if I had followed my heart and gone to Harvard, albeit, the Extension School? Perhaps, the drama would have ended long ago! Let's see how this matter will be resolved as, unfortunately, armed with some 123 credits (and 120 needed for graduation and a diploma) I have no further recourse than to wade the situation now in public water. The fact of the matter is: since my credits were rolled over from my previous tenure at the University why cannot there be a clause by which I am exempt since, had I not been ill and away from UMass Boston (due to the atrocities experienced at the University) I would have gone through without having to do QR? I do believe my situation of this particular kind to be very rare and the University of Massachusetts, I further believe, owes me more than a departmental waiver. I could have lost my life here. Parents do not send their children to be educated and to have them returned to them as vegetables and lifeless. One other matter: I have been told, on occasions, that my politics is "too conservative." Although that is not entirely true, I want to believe that we live in a DEMOCRACY and we should be entitled to our opinions, political and otherwise. The Malpractice must end.
So, after 15 years, I graduated the University of Massachusetts Boston with unexpected fanfare. I attended and proudly participated in Commencement 2005 as it was my right to do so. I was asked by my family and friends to be in attendance. I was also asked by Assistant Dean Rosanne Donahue to attend. With Graduate School in the offing, it is my fervent desire, after what I hope will be an enjoyable summer, to once again burn the midnight oil.
In closing, thanks to God for His mercies; my fellow graduates, the Class of 2005; my family and friends; my doctors and my therapist and thanks to the many others who have, in some way, contributed to my happiness.
WILMOT MAX RAMSAY
UMass Boston, Class of 2005
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
June 6, 2005.
(Copyright @ The Wilmot Max Ramsay Collection, June 6, 2005)
ADDENDUM
June 2006.
The University of Massachusetts Boston FINALLY saw it fit to release Councillor Wilmot Max Ramsay's Bachelor's Diploma. As such, he wants to use this medium to thank the Creator for His keeping care; his family and friends; Professor Mitchell H. Silver for his kind intervention in the academic stalemate; Governor Mitt Romney's Office for its involvement; his doctors and therapist; and finally, thanks to the many others who have contributed to his happiness. Mr. Ramsay, a Jamaican American, has since accepted U.S. Citizenship.
Councillor Ramsay's sixteen (16) year "bitter-sweet" tenure at the University of Massachusetts Boston was totally unnecessary and was, to a large extent, a battle of the wills. COMMENCEMENT 2005 served its purpose. Mr. Ramsay captured the main moments, as they affected him, and judging from the INTERNET, and other responses, the message went forth. The University of Massachusetts could be likened unto a detention/concentration camp!
