As part of the decades-long struggle to end apartheid and create a free and democratic South Africa, Mac Maharaj endured torture, exile, and 12 years in the notorious Robben Island prison. Those years were served alongside Nelson Mandela, who counted Maharaj among his inner circle. Leading up to that country’s first free and democratic elections—in which Mandela was elected president—Maharaj led negotiations in the creation of the new South African democracy, and later served as its Minister of Transport.

Now teaching at Bennington College, Maharaj draws on his experience to help his students investigate issues of history, identity, and democracy as part of the College’s Democracy Project. Delivering this year’s commencement speech, he told stories of his time in the anti-apartheid movement, and mused on the choices and consequences that await this graduating class in the years to come.

The prospect of the world’s unfolding stories—and the need for “tough and talented” people to help them unfold—also loomed large in the student speech, given by graduating senior Brian Pietras ’07. As a student, Brian explored issues of history, gender identity, and narrative within a broader study of literature. In his senior year, he presented a paper at the International Congress on Medieval Studies, and wrote his thesis on narratives of gender transgression in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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“Wherever you go and whatever you do after Bennington…the true test of leadership, of your ability to make a difference, will always revolve around the need to make a moral choice. It arises in the most unexpected moments and the most unsuspecting circumstances....” Read excerpts from Mac’s speech.

“We went to a college that was constantly asking us what intrigued and inspired us, and what we planned to do about it—one that worked, furthermore, to instill this kind of questioning into our way of thinking....” Read excerpts from Brian’s speech.