Wesleyan University Sends 785 Class of 2013 Grads into the World

Though grand white tents were erected throughout campus, the weather held out for Wesleyan University's 181st graduation Sunday on Andrus Field's Dresser Diamond in Middletown.

Award-winning writer, director, producer and 1987 graduate Joss Whedon, perhaps best known for the cult hits "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," now "The Avengers" films, was the eagerly awaited commencement speaker.

Whedon recalled his commencement address, given by Billy Cosby, who was surprisingly brief. "And then he complained about buying his daughter a car and we left. I remember thinking, 'I could do better.' I thought maybe I could be a little bit more inspiring," he said to laughter from the crowd.

"You are all going to die. It can't get more depressing — you have in fact already begun to die," Whedon said. "You look great. Don't get me wrong. You are youth and beauty — you are at the physical peak, your bodies have just gotten off the ski slope on the peak of growth and potential and now comes the black diamond mogul run to the grave."

Graduation, Whedon told those gathered, is actually a moment of great contradiction. "All your body wants to do is make some babies and then go in the ground and fertilize things."

The Class of 2013 is being told to "go out into the world exactly when your body is saying, 'let's take it down a notch,'" Whedon said.

Alumni, President Michael Roth told those hundreds clad in cardinal red gowns and caps, "are counting on you. ... to join us in helping to shape our culture, so that it will not be shaped by the forces of violence, conformity and elitism."

See Whedon's speech and Taiko drumming by clicking here.


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