Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream company, shared their vision of socially responsible business-along with "Peace Pops" ice cream and some pointed political remarks-with graduates at the 108th Commencement on Sunday, May 18.
Addressing the 1,350 graduates and their guests, Jerry Greenfield recalled his childhood friendship with Ben Cohen and described how the pair parlayed a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making and a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont, into a multimillion-dollar corporation.
As the business grew, however, "We found that we were becoming businesspeople instead of ice cream people," recalled Greenfield. "We were spending our time talking with lawyers and accountants and hiring people and firing people-not making ice cream and scooping it over the counter to our friends." Rather than become just another corporate cog in the economic machine, he said, "We decided to make [the business] something that we were really proud of. Something that supported the community, supported the environment, and supported our employees."
Greenfield then introduced Cohen, whose remarks were more pointedly political. He noted that the philanthropic work done by Ben & Jerry's was influenced by the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr., who drew connections between racism, poverty, and militarism. "Since the days of the Cold War," Cohen noted, "our country has been spending half of its discretionary budget --that's the amount of money that Congress has available to allocate each year -- on the Pentagon. And the amount spent on health care, education, and housing pales by comparison."
To illustrate his point, Cohen produced a tin can and a container of BBs. He dropped one BB into the can to represent 15 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs and 6 BBs into the can to represent enough nuclear weapons to blow up all of Russia. He concluded by pouring 10,000 BBs into the can to represent the size of America's current nuclear arms arsenal.
"For two days' worth of the Pentagon budget, we could fully fund Head Start and provide Head Start for the one-third of all eligible kids that can't get into the program. For six days of the Pentagon budget, we could provide healthcare for all uninsured kids in the United States. For 12 days of the budget, we could rebuild all of our crumbling schools in our country over a period of 10 years. For 10 days, we could eliminate the need for Middle East oil. And for 12 days of the Pentagon budget, we could feed all of the 15,000 kids around the world that are dying of starvation and preventable disease each day," Cohen added.
As his comments were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from the audience, Cohen urged the graduates, "Even if you've never voted before, if you've never helped get people registered, if you've never been political, now's the time to start. We've got to stand up and do our patriotic duty as Americans and say no, this is not the way our country was meant to be. No, I will not allow this to be done in my name and with my money."
Ithaca College President Peggy R. Williams focused much of her remarks on the words inscribed on the medallions given to the graduates as they entered Butterfield Stadium. This year's medallions bore a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "Be the change that you want to see in the world."
"I thought it fitting to select a quotation that offered each of you a simple, yet powerful, message," she said. "A message that conveys both opportunity and responsibility. You have the opportunity to serve as the inspiration for critical, thoughtful, and civil dialogue. You also have the responsibility, as educated citizens, to continue to be informed, to continue to share your thoughts, and to continue to invite and listen to the perspectives of others-even when those differ from your own-and to find your special role for making this world a better place for all."
The Commencement ceremony began with William Haines, chairman of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees, welcoming the new graduates as Ithaca alumni.
Senior class president Maureen Devine joined her fellow class officers to present Williams with the class gift of $25,109, which will be used for the installation of a commemorative clock on the academic quad.
Devine urged her classmates to embrace the people and experiences they've shared at Ithaca College, and reminded them not to sweat the small stuff. "If there is one thing that four years of tests, papers, and quizzes has taught you, it is not to sweat the small stuff in life. Find something in life to smile about and share your smiles with others. Sometimes, sharing a simple smile has the power to change someone's life drastically. Don't ever be afraid to use that power."
At receptions following the ceremony, Ben & Jerry's "Peace Pops" ice cream bars were served to graduates and their guests.
Streaming video of the Commencement ceremony will be available beginning Thursday, May 22, on the commencement website.
Contributed by Dave Maley
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20030518175047812