University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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' urn k For many who come to the University from out-of- state, foreboding stories of long, snowy winters were among the first things they heard. For other students who were used to the frigid climate, snow was often welcome after hot, humid summers that seemed to stretch long into the fall - and into stuffy residence hall rooms. This year, however, the snow barely fell during the peak months of the winter. Despite the occasional extra-chilly day, the winter was mild, even setting records on unseasonably warm days. According to the Detroit News, the average high temperature this January was 39.9 degrees, almost a full nine-degree increase from the previous year. While some students were pleased at the opportunity to don t-shirts and forgo the snow boots, others had reason to lament the conditions. I would much rather have snow than this. Half the time, it ' s cold but raining, which only causes everything to be muddy, including my driveway. It ' s gross: it gets on my shoes, in my car, and all over the house. I ' d prefer the salt and slush to that! Plus, I really appreciate the summer more when there is a cold winter to get me ready for it, said School of Education senior Casey Haapaniemi. Not to mention, I love snuggling up with a warm blanket and drinking a cup of hot chocolate to beat the winter blahs. This is just like having an early spring, she added. While most students were not upset about a warmer walk to class each morning, they were less likely to enjoy a weekend away at a local ski resort. The majority of up-north resorts were able to make snow in order to attract business, but for areas like Mt. Brighton and local parks that offered cross-country skiing and ice-skating, business was certainly impeded by the mild weather. In an interview with the Menominee Herald, local weather historian Bill Deedler of the National Weather Service said, it is not unusual to have a week of mild weather in mid- or late-January, but the warm temperatures have been more than a thaw because we ' ve been mild here for a couple weeks. Students could still get their ice-skating fix at the multiple Yost skate nights and there were plenty of days when it was necessary for one to throw on the old down parka, but the snow simply did not fall during the height of winter this year in Ann Arbor. Michigan Life.1 5

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V Above: The pumas outside the Natural Science Museum are blanketed in snow after the first major snow storm of the year. Snow, though thought to be annoying by many students, completely transformed campus into a winter wonderland. S. Jerome photo Top: A snow plow works hard in order to get the streets and sidewalks cleared for students to walk to class. This was just one of the many plows employed by the University that ran through the night and all day. 5. Jerome photo Right: Students bundle up for the cold walks through the Diag. Though many loved the snow, students also constantly complained about the freezing treks that they had to make to class daily. C. Leonard photo Michiganensian. 14

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A jduatior I want you to run through the rain. I want you to play in the street. I want you to talk to strangers. I want you to be fearless. These were some of President Mary Sue Coleman ' s words to the graduating class of 2005. Coleman urged students to take a chance in the world, which she said was becoming smaller, yet more competitive at the same time . Most importantly, she advised students to stand up for what they believe in. Of course, Coleman was not the only speaker. John Seely Brown, former chief scientist of Xerox Corporation and director of Xerox ' s Palo Alto Research Center, delivered the commencement address to the graduates. As Brown was famous for his ideas on the influence of technology on modern life, he reminded graduates that they were a product of the net generation. You can do things now most of us never dreamed of just a few years ago, he said. As in years past, a majority of graduates were disappointed in the University ' s choice for the guest speaker, and found Brown ' s invention of spellcheck equally, if not more exciting, than his speech. However, some students found Brown ' s speech compelling. I was pleased with our keynote speaker, French and Francaphone studies graduate Christophe Tedjasukmana said. More graduates were disappointed with the appearance of Michigan Stadium than anything. Our graduation could have had a better aesthetic, Tedjasukmana added. The stadium was under renovations during the ceremony, allowing graduates and relatives to face a demolished set of bleachers from across the field. As communication studies graduate and now University employee April Wong said, It was definitely a day that I will never forget, tainted only by the fact that half the stadium was under renovations, which I didn ' t know about. Imagine my surprise when I walked in! Nearly everyone ' s highlight of the ceremony was when Glenn E. Bo Schembechler, former University football coach, as well as the winningest coach in University history, received his honorary degree and addressed the graduates. Coach Schembechler made his return to the Big House a worthy one with the content of his address. Repeating the famous University athletic phrase Those who stay will be champions, he told the graduating class and that not only were they all champions, but they had to the credentials to lead. So lead, he added. Mechanical engi neering graduate Jonathan Neff summed up the experience of Schembechler ' s speech, as well as the overall experience of graduation by saying, There is nothing that could sum up Michigan better for me than graduating with 5,000 future doctors, lawyers, engineers, and others generally considered some of the smartest students in the country, in the largest stadium in the country, and listening to Bo Schembechler speak all while people around me were cracking open Busch Lights and pulling entire bottles of champagne out from under their gowns. Michiganensian. 16