Ian Rawson, who is now serving as Managing Director of HAS in Deschapelles, and who was at HAS when the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12th, was invited to be the commencement speaker at this year’s graduation at Carnegie Mellon University. Many of the CMU students had joined together in a number of fundraising efforts for Haiti and for HAS after the earthquake, and the incident was a signal event in their final semester.
In his letter of invitation to Ian, President Jared Cohon noted the relevance of the earthquake experience to this year’s graduates:
“In this time of devastation, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti has surely faced many challenges, and you have continued to manage each issue with poise, determination and innovative problem solving. Your work reflects the essence of what we strive for in a CarnegieMellon education: dedication to solving the world’s biggest problems. For these reasons, we would be honored if you would be available to deliver the university’s Commencement address this year. I am certain your talk would be motivating to our graduates, impressing upon them the importance of sharing their education and talent to make the world a better place, just as you have done for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti and the surrounding community.”
In his address Ian shared a message about the perseverance and hope of the people of Haiti, which will serve the graduates well as they move ahead in their professional and lives of service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyG3KB7aw48