Friday, May 9, 2008
When I found out I would have the privilege of giving this charge, a friend of mine gave me a piece of advice. He told me, "Remember, it isn't about you. It's about others." The more I thought about those words, the more I realized how appropriate they are for this occasion. For one thing, we recognize that today is just as much -- if not more! -- for family and friends as it is for students. Beyond that, however, this event marks an important transition. Brace yourselves, my friends. In a few weeks or months, you're going to discover that, in the real world, it isn't about you anymore. It's about others.
This is going to come as a shock for most of us, because college makes us believe -- often rightfully so -- that everything is about us. This is most obvious when you look at how much we are given, and how much we take. Let me give you some examples. On the first day of class when you were a freshman, your professor gave you a syllabus. Midway through the course he gave you an exam. And on the last day of finals he gave you a grade. In all of these exchanges, the responsibility was with the professor to initiate contact. The system was designed around you. And when it comes to taking, as honors students we all deserve a degree in it, because we have become experts at benefiting from the immense generosity of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
Believe me my friends, things are going to change. And if you think I only mean that figuratively, you may want to check your missed calls when we get to the reception. The Alumni Association would like to have a word with you.
So, exactly how are these massive and literal changes going to manifest themselves? Regardless of where you're going from here -- the corporate world, graduate school, or to start a family -- they'll come in two major shifts.
First, you'll be giving a lot more. For those of you going into industry, you'll be expected to give profits and results to your bosses. For those of you going to graduate school, you'll be expected to give your life -- or at least 80 hours a week of it -- to your advisor. For all of us, we should strive to continue the Honors College's tradition of giving back to our communities. In all of these cases, the responsibility will fall squarely on us to initiate and sustain these interactions.
The second major shift is that people will start taking from you. Now I don't mean you're going to get mugged frequently -- unless you're moving to New York City. What I mean is that the Honors College has helped make each of you a uniquely gifted individual, and the people around you -- coworkers, lab mates, students -- are going to recognize that. They're going to need your direction, your encouragement, your friendship.
How do we tackle these changes? The way the Honors College has taught us to tackle every challenge we encounter. Passionately. Seize every opportunity you can to show the world that when it comes to being a self-starter, no one beats an SMBHC Scholar. Give your talent, knowledge, and wisdom freely and generously to those around you. Give thanks to all those who have helped make you the person you are today, and give respect whenever you are taught something, because learning doesn't end with a bachelor's degree. When people seek you out, be humbled, and treat it as an opportunity to touch a life the same way the Honors College has touched all of our lives.