Bermuda College's newest graduates were urged yesterday to become agents of change and embrace their roles as leaders of tomorrow.

In his keynote address at yesterday's graduation ceremony, educator Earl Hart said that local organisations were in danger of becoming defunct if younger members did not move into leadership positions.

“Far too many clubs and organisations in our community are top-heavy with senior members in positions of leadership, so there is a crying need for younger members to make themselves available to receive the torch that is being handed to them,” he said.

“If there is no fresh blood coming forward to be nurtured and developed, many of our organisations will become defunct.”

He told the 115 graduates to get involved in organisations and associations that will give them international exposure.

“If Bermuda is to move forward in the twenty first century we need visionaries; we need dreamers; we need builders - all are prerequisites of leadership. We want you to all be participants in the dreams we have for Bermuda. It was Langston Hughes who said ‘Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, life is like a broken-winged bird, who cannot fly'.”

He urged the graduates to get involved in local and global politics and to become community activists and help stamp out social ills.

“Become change agents, men and women of ideas who will attempt to find the answers to those problems that affect our community,” Mr. Hart said.

“Wherever you end up, try not to be ‘yes only' people, robots or mindless conformists, but rather bring to the table confidence, creativity, thoughtfulness, insightfulness and, above all, the ability to analyse and problem solve. If Bermuda is to take her rightful place in the sun it is going to need the outstanding men and women who are seated here today...”

Mr. Hart, and Belco CEO Garry Madeiros, were made an honorary fellow of the College during yesterday's ceremony which was conducted underneath a massive tent in a field.

It rained steadily throughout most of the ceremony, but that did not dampen the spirits of the graduates - about half of whom graduated with merit or distinction - or their hundreds of supporters.

Penny Simons, a mature student who received the associate degree in Business Administration, gave the graduate address. She said that she now has the foundation to develop a “solid career”.

“The thought of going back to school on a full-time basis was quite frightening, particularly since school for me ended some 15 years ago,” she told the gathering. But she said the two year programme had proved to be the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

She urged the class of 2002 to pursue educational dreams. “Your career demands it and you will no doubt be able to set your goals and even your salary.”

Ms Simons added : “No one can take away your knowledge and the proper use of knowledge is power.”