SWEET BRIAR, Va. -- Graduation day is a joyous occasion for students and their families, but there's certainly mixed emotions with commencement at Sweet Briar College Saturday.
Some are calling this a bittersweet day for the 2015 graduating class. That's because this may be the last one for the 114-year-old women's college
Sweet Briar Alumna and Columbus, Georgia Mayor Teresa Tomlinson addressed the graduates Saturday, challenging graduates and alumnae to continue their fight to save Sweet Briar College.
Tomlinson took clear aim at college administrators who have sought to close the school in calling on graduates to "forgive their lack of transparency, their lack of inclusiveness, their lack of perseverance and their failure of faith, because truly, they know not what they have done."
Tomlinson addressed the graduating seniors at the ceremony as the "latest" class of Sweet Briar alumnae instead of the "last" class.
In closing her remarks, Tomlinson acknowledged the leadership of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring for his efforts to resolve the fight over Sweet Briar College's future. Herring called Tomlinson on Friday to ask her to relay a message from him in her remarks.
"First, he wanted me to convey his congratulations to the class of 2015 for your accomplishments. Second, he wanted me to tell you that he will continue to work with those who love Sweet Briar and care about its legacy and its future in hopes that we can reach the best possible outcome," said Tomlinson.
And in a surprise move that was announced Friday night, Sweet Briar's President, Dr. James Jones, was a no show for commencement. In a letter to the Sweet Briar College community, he cited not wanting to be a distraction as for the reason he was skipping the event.
The following is the full text of his letter:
Dear Members of the Sweet Briar Community:
After much deliberation and consultation with members of the campus community, I write with great sadness to tell you that I have reluctantly decided not to participate in Saturday’s commencement ceremony. In the last twenty-four hours, it has come to my attention that there are faculty members and alumnae who have threatened, sometimes quite publicly, to repeatedly disrupt the ceremony tomorrow should I preside, despite the fact that my doing so would honor the College’s tradition to preside as have all other Sweet Briar presidents.
I was deeply moved by the senior class officers’ call on May 1 for a peaceful, traditional, and joyful ceremony, and while this year is like no other in Sweet Briar’s history, I had sincerely hoped their wish would be honored. I am also confident that the vast majority of our alumnae and our faculty share my belief that commencement is solely about celebrating our graduating students and their families. Yet, I have made this decision because I do not want anything to distract from what should be a celebration of our students’ academic success. Dean Amy Jessen-Marshall has graciously agreed to preside over commencement in my absence.
To those students who had wanted me to present them their diplomas, please know how deeply sorry and disappointed I am. I will, however, still participate in baccalaureate this afternoon, and I look forward to visiting with you and your families at the reception immediately following the service on the lawns of Sweet Briar House.
To the Class of 2015, I send you my heartfelt congratulations on this milestone in your life. Wherever life’s path leads you, I wish you a happy and successful future. I know that you will make us all proud and that you will always be honorable Sweet Briar women in thought, word, and deed in your adult lives. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you in the years to come.
Yours very truly,
James F. Jones Jr. President, Sweet Briar College
On Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments next month about Sweet Briar's slated closure.
Supporters of the beloved college hope this latest court battle will keep the doors open.
