Press Releases

May 17, 2004

A "Natural" For Southampton College: Graduates Pledge to Seek Socially-Responsible Positions
College Support of the Pledge Encourages Students to Think About Broader Impact of Their Work, Educates and Motivates Individuals to Contribute to Creating a Better World

Contact:
Patricia Conway
631-287-8313

Southampton, NY - As the Southampton College Class of 2004 begin the anxious job search process, they can show that they've added a sense of leadership and concern on social and environmental issues to their resumes. Last year, more than two-thirds of the graduating class signed "The Graduation Pledge," a promise to seek out companies that work to minimize pollution, or whose business practices are ethical or non-discriminatory.

This year, the College expects those numbers to be even higher.

"The pledge asks graduates to take into account the social and environmental consequences of the jobs they take," said Southampton College Environmental Coordinator Peter Maniscalco. "The pledge helps our graduates to evaluate the broader consequences of their employment."

"This is our sixth year being involved in the voluntary pledge," added Professor Scott Carlin, who teaches environmental studies and geography at the College. Carlin, who is also the co-director of Long Island University's Institute For Sustainable Development, stated that environmental and marine science students have the highest level of participants in the pledge. "They come here as young students to learn about our natural environments and leave as informed adults knowing that they can make a difference," he said.

Southampton College is the only Long Island school involved in the pledge. They join students from prestigious higher learning institutions including Boston University, Columbia University, Dartmouth, Harvard and Princeton as well as over 120 universities nationwide. The pledge is a "natural" for Southampton College, which has produced 37 Fulbright Scholars in the last 29 years from its top marine and environmental programs.

At the Southampton College commencement ceremony, graduates who take the pledge will proudly wear a green ribbon on their gown. The pledge can be accessed at http://www.graduationpledge.org.

Former president of the Czech Republic and noted human rights leader Vaclav Havel has been invited to deliver the keynote address at this year's ceremony. He will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from the College. Other honorary degree recipients are Don Hewitt, creator of "60 Minutes," and Warren Scherwin, president and CEO of Related Properties Corporation. Dr. David Steinberg, president of Long Island University, will confer degrees upon 227 undergraduates and 99 graduate students at this 38th annual commencement.