I graduated from City College in 1968, a tumultuous time for Baltimore City and the nation.

Last Saturday, I attended City’s commencement, also a turbulent time.

I went for two reasons.

I’ve watched one of the graduates, Emma Conn, grow up.  I’m close friends with her parents, David and Amanda.

I also wanted to share in the accomplishment and excitement of the occasion for the students and their families, for whom this graduation is a very big step forward in their lives. Virtually the entire class is headed on to a community or undergraduate college.

One of the class members put the moment in perspective.

She spoke of the 34 kids in her head start class.  The majority  are dead or in prison.  Others have dropped out or failed a grade.  She and one other walked across the stage Saturday.  “Today isn’t a day to focus on the ones who didn’t make it, but instead to celebrate the ones who did,” she said.

Two days later, I spoke to nearly 100 public service interns – college and graduate students who will be working for the government or a non-profit this summer.

I read to them from that speech.

“These are problems we must address,” I told them. “You’re starting down the road where you can make a difference in people’s lives.”