Commencement Address

John Paul Lederach, Ph.D.

As the speaker for Elms College's 80th Commencement, Dr. John Paul Lederach encouraged students to "hold fast to dreams" and worry less about growing up than "growing into" their full potential as human beings in the world. 

His masterful address to our graduates recalled the words of poet Langston Hughes, his 30 years of work in peace building, and a little bit of fairy dust. Download a transcript of his speech to read it, or you can listen to it online.

To learn more about his work, read the brief bio below, or see his honorary degree citation.

About Dr. John Paul Lederach

Dr. John Paul Lederach, professor of international peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, was the commencement speaker and received an honorary degree at Elms College's 80th commencement exercises, held in the MassMutual Center on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

"In recognizing Dr. Lederach, we are affirming the core values of Elms College," said Elms College President Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D.

Lederach, noted for his pioneering work on conflict transformation, has traveled to Colombia, the Philippines, Nepal, and other conflicted nations to design and conduct peaceful training programs. He has served as a mediator between governments and local rebellions, and as a consultant for churches and peace groups struggling with political and religious violence.

Conflict transformation, an internationally recognized approach in the field of conciliation and mediation, acknowledges that conflict is normal in human relationships and can be used for change.

Lederach earned a B.A. in history and peace studies at Bethel College and a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Colorado. He held several positions at the Mennonite Central Committee, including director of international conciliation service. Lederach began his teaching career at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he founded the Conflict Transformation Program and the Institute for Peacebuilding. He has been a professor at the University of Notre Dame since 2001.

Lederach has written numerous books and articles on ending conflicts, including: "The Little Book of Conflict Transformation", "The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace", and "Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies."