Following the conference of degrees upon seven honorees, including House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak delivered the keynote address to the graduating class of 2003, their family, friends and onlookers during the University's 51st commencement exercises Sunday morning.Joining the new graduates were at least 20 members of the Class of 1953, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their commencement.

Barak delivered his address, which focused on the continued struggle for justice and democracy in the world, after University President Jehuda Reinharz conferred degrees upon the keynote speaker, Pelosi, former Dartmouth College President James O. Freedman, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, Harvard professor Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, historian David McCullough and philanthropist Alan B. Slifka.

Before the conference of degrees, Catholic Chaplain Father David Michael delivered the invocation, followed by a welcome address from the chair of the Board of Trustees, Stephen Kay.

Kay offered the graduates words of advice, mentioning recent scandals in the business world and telling students not to become cynical at such a time. His advice centered around what he called "the New York Times test," asking the graduates always to question, "how would I like to see what I'm about to do featured in a story in The New York Times."

Kay told the graduates, "You are a credit to your extended families and to your university," and offered, "I have confidence that going forward you will make Brandeis proud."

Reinharz then gave remarks focusing on the value of the kind of education Brandeis delivers within and without the classroom. "The world needs people educated in this way," Reinharz told graduates. "We need you to help solve the problems that face us as individuals, communities, nations and as a global society."

Reinharz mentioned also the many achievements of the graduating class, making reference to the expanding of Brandeis Television, the hosting of the regional conference of Students Organized Against Racism and the hosting of the National Collegiate Debate Finals. He mentioned also the barbecue held in April by the Brandeis Black Students Organization and the Brandeis Orthodox Organization, the idea for which originated in the Black-Jewish Dialogue Group.

"For nearly half a century Brandeis alumni have distinguished themselves in all fields and in all walks of life," Reinharz told graduates. "I know that in the years ahead ... the accomplishments of the members of the Class of 2003 will also bring honor and pride to our alma mater."

Following Reinharz's welcome, he conferred the honorary degrees, and Barak delivered his remarks. Barak offered graduates his life story, from his ashen childhood during the Holocaust to his tenure on the Israeli Supreme Court.

Barak said of his experience in the Holocaust, "My lesson was not hatred ... my lesson was a belief in and love of man," adding that, "Protecting the dignity and equality of man is the North Star which guides me in my role as a judge."

Barak offered the graduates what he called a "lesson" based on his experience - "the centrality of man and his dignity, the need to preserve the rights of every human being as a human being, the tolerance for opposing opinions - even opinions that are not tolerant - the need to treat everyone equally and fairly and the need to preserve the rule of law."

After Barak spoke, Reinharz conferred degrees upon the Class of 2003, which includes nearly 1,300 degree recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School, the Graduate School of International Economics and Finances and the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. The undergraduate class of 788 included 159 graduating cum laude, 94 graduating magna cum laude and 75 graduating summa cum laude.

Ana Yoselin Bugallo '03 and Mary Elizabeth Brooks M.A. '03 then delivered the student addresses for the undergraduate students and graduate students respectively. Bugallo first addressed her family both in Spanish and English and then the graduates. She called Brandeis, "one of the most prestigious, yet humble universities," adding it is one "rooted in a history of compassion, courage, character and of bravery."

Of the graduates, Bugallo said, "Once the ceremony is done, we will be history." She then added, "They say history repeats itself (but) ... from the looks of it, history has outdone itself this time."

Paul M. Zlotoff '72, president of the Alumni Association, inducted the new alumni, and Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Allan Lehmann gave the closing benediction.

James McBean '03, now an alum of the School of Arts and Sciences, offered choice words about his alma mater in the excited moments before the ceremonies commenced. "Brandeis is a weird place," the graduate said, "but I'm weird too. The two of us go hand in hand, and I would do it all over again, every last day.