SESP CONVOCATION SPEECH



SESP CONVOCATION SPEECH

16 JUNE 2007

ARE YOUR BAGS PACKED?

Good morning Class of 2007 and, good morning family and friends of this phenomenal gathering of graduates.

Is this is the first time some of you have seen the campus at this hour? Have any of you ever gotten up to watch the sun rise over the Lake? That was one of my favorite things to do.

Dean Peterson, thank you for inviting me to return to my alma mater to speak to the SESP graduates. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to reflect and to do some soul searching as I prepared to address these graduates. It seems like only a few days ago I stood before the School of Education class of 1974 and delivered the welcome at my convocation.

I want to take a moment to say Thank You, to those of you who took the time to respond to my questionnaire. It was fascinating learning where you were from, your interests, how you see yourself, how you see your NU experience and your aspirations.

As I looked at your responses to what you didn’t want to hear in this speech today, I received a variety of replies. One of you was quick to remind me that this would be early in the morning. This is not a time for 30 minutes of lofty, heavy preaching so I hope to keep this relatively short so you can get on to what you are waiting for, to hear your name called and walk across this stage.

My mind ran through all the clichéd “go out and do great things” speeches I have heard throughout my life, but none of them seemed adequate in explaining the journey each of you will take from this point on. So, keeping the concept of journey in mind, I was reminded of the class song my high school in Bangkok, Thailand chose our senior year. Since we were all leaving for various parts of the world, we selected the song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”. The song begins… My bags are packed, I’m ready to go.” These lyrics were perfect then, and are pertinent now.

So as you prepare to leave Northwestern, I ask you: Are your bags packed?

Although each of your bags is uniquely your own, I ask you to consider checking your packing list to see if you have chosen to include some items that, in my experience, have proven essential for any journey:

There should be at least one pair of shoes in the bag.

You will want a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes to navigate the twists and turns on the paths you will walk. And don’t forget to go barefoot for those times in your life when you just want to let your tootsies dangle free to enjoy the more breezy paths. Ladies, the stilettos won’t get you too far.

Consider having two pairs of glasses.

The first pair is to help you see clearly. You will see and read many things that will seem a bit blurry. There are many sides to every issue and you want to seek all the facts to find the big picture, the true picture. These glasses are especially valuable for your two I’s: -- Intelligence and Integrity.

And don’t forget your Rose colored glasses, terrific for casting a positive light on any negative situation.

There are those days when the sun is shining on your life and you can bask in it. I may appear pre tanned to you, but even I need Sunscreen. Sunscreen is also essential for those times that life gets too hot to handle, and you don’t want to get burned.

In contrast, you might also want to bring a Rain coat because there will be some rainy days. You will want to be prepared.

Have an alarm clock/calendar/date book with you. Time is a non-renewable resource and you want to keep track of it. Also, don’t just be on time. Arrive early!

You don’t see travel irons much any more but portable steamers are also handy to smooth out life’s little wrinkles.

You might have a navigation system on your car or use Mapquest but your personal compass will be your best guide. On this compass you will have those adjectives such as caring, sensitive, passionate, patient, and friendly, you used to describe yourself and memorable, eye-opening, challenging, enriching your chose to characterize your experiences. Also on this compass will be adjectives such as complacency, selfishness, incompetence, arrogance and turbulent, stressful and scary. The moral character you choose will tell you which way to point your arrow.

Do you have a First Aid Kit/Needle and Thread? Literally speaking, you may skin your knee or loose a button, or split a seam. Accidents happen and it’s best to be prepared for those little emergencies. But emergencies can happen in your heart and soul too and you must be ready to heal those as best you can.

…And some Kleenex for the colds you will get; the tears of sadness and tears of joy that will run down your cheeks.

It may not be in your bag, maybe it’s on your belt on in a pocket, but have a Cell phone handy to call home frequently. Your family and friends will want to hear your voice. Don’t let time and distance diminish your friendships. Keeping in touch with the people who have shaped your life is a gift to them and a gift to yourself. My parents could not be here today because you had all the hotel rooms in the area, and my husband and sons already had reservations to fly to Alaska today. However, here today are two of my closest friends. We met at NU; my roommate Kathryn Kimura Mlsna, and Warren Lo. When I left NU for the DC area, they moved to downtown Chicago, Kathy went to NU law school and Warren, was an HPME NU med student. Kathy lives in Oak Brook, Illinois Warren lives in Columbus, Ohio and I live in Atlanta. We’ve stayed close. Surely you will have friends with whom you will have solid and enduring friendships like these.

You’ll want to remember those moments with your friends, so pack your Camera, Photo album and Journal; maybe that’s your lap top. Life is full of “Kodak moments. You want to be ready to capture those priceless memories. Keep them close, make backup discs!

You never know when your power may go out. It may seem dark. A flashlight and spare batteries will light your way. Unless you are the energizer bunny, there will be times you will need a new source of energy.

Numbers are everywhere in your life. Use a calculator to balance your checkbook and to ensure you don’t put more debt on your credit card than you can pay off each month. But remember numbers are just labels, often insufficient measures of success. You may earn $10.75 an hour or bring home a 6 digit salary, but no where in that number do you see the true defining factors of achievement, honesty and integrity. Therefore, balance your life, and measure success by the families you have and the friends you keep.

For the last few years you’ve been doing required reading. Celebrate, because now you can read whatever you wish. Choose wisely however, for the characters, their thoughts and actions, will become a part of your education in life. Choose carefully, so that your reading lifts your spirits and stimulates your intellect. But pack books, as many as you can carry, for your times of thoughtful solitude will be precious.

Music is salve for the soul. If you play an instrument or sing, take time to keep your talents sharp. You may just like to listen to music. Take along your Ipod.

This next item may seem totally random, but they serve as a reminder. Pack some Seeds---for every one of us has a seed to sow.

Your passport will allow you to embark on the physical journeys of your life. Learning to be internationally savvy and aware is of the utmost importance in the global community we share. If you don’t already have one, apply for it now. You want to be ready at a moment’s notice to travel beyond the boundaries of the US. The opportunity to live and learn in another culture is priceless.

My childhood teddy bear lost its arm when my dog got a hold of it when I was in high school. In college a friend gave me Henry, a stuffed dog somewhat resembling Snoopy, who now sits beside Teddy. There is no one else who will always lend you patient, empathetic, and judgment-free ears. A “best stuffed friend” will always hug back and love unconditionally.

Generally speaking, as NU grads, we are all well-educated, generous, caring people. But sometimes we need someone to stand up in our behalf. And who better than…you!

So, next, pack your alter ego. You know the one I mean…stronger, more flamboyant, more outspoken, and less inhibited than you. I’ll let you in on a little secret.

Dee Dee is my alter ego. I told her to stay home today but she might make an appearance. She is a bit more daring than Edie and her skills are often called upon in “tight” spots. She’s also very mischievous. She’s the one that thinks the thoughts Edie would never say!

You want to be sure to say thank you to your parents, family, friends and teachers/professors who have loved you, had faith in you and encouraged you. Do you have your thank you notes and a pen?

When you leave this room today, please give your parents, family and special friends a hug and say thank you. Tell them you love them.

Put in a copy of your alma mater’s crest and remember the Latin Words, Quaecumque sunt vera… the English translation: Whatsoever things are true. Those four words will keep you out of trouble.

Remember those words too when you look in your mirror to see yourself as others see you.

Remember to pack Reminders of your faith in the God you choose to worship. You will need divine providence in your life.

When you’ve completed your packing list remember these last things.

Be sure to save space for the new things you’ll acquire on your trip.

Be quick to throw out the junk that sneaks into your bags.

And a word of caution; when you have your bags packed, do not leave them unattended. Someone may tamper with them. Protect them, lest when you look inside you find rotten apples, poisonous snakes, or worse, you look inside and find nothing at all!

Your presence here today lets me know that you have made some good choices in your life thus far. We don’t know what is around the corner. I encountered many unexpected things. Along my journey there were those who tried to say I wouldn’t make it. A brand new first grade teacher told my mother that there must be something wrong with my test scores because “that child” could not have scores that high. Years later, I guess Northwestern thought my scores were OK. On this day in 1974 I had planned to return to NU in a year to start on my PhD. Instead, that next year I was standing at an altar saying I will, I do, etc. to my husband, with my room mate by my side and a man who was to become one of the world’s most respected leaders at my husband’s side; I didn’t expect to be gracefully falling down the steps on the presidential yacht Sequoia; I didn’t know I would have two fantastic sons; I didn’t expect to have to deal with serious medical issues in my family; I didn’t know I would make some wonderful new friends, I didn’t know I would visit many more far away lands; I didn’t know I would be back here today. But my bags were packed.

You’ve been taught right from wrong, you have confidence in yourself. From what you shared with me, you are going in many different directions, seeking challenging opportunities.

How many of you are going to be teachers? Please raise your hands. ---You may not have a class, but I see everyone in this room as a teacher. Someone is always watching; you are an example wherever you are. Your actions, your words are ever in someone’s spot light and you are teachers! “Teach them well…”

Some of you are going to begin or continue time in a classroom. To you, whether you are in the affluent suburbs or in the most depressed areas in a Teach for America or overseas program, know that your students deserve the best and the brightest. They are getting that in you. You will be tested, but you will find what you get from your students is invaluable. To those of you going to work for non-profits, cherish your volunteers and don’t disparage those “big corporations”. You will soon learn that in spite of the headlines, corporate America has a very compassionate side. Their foundations will be the sources of much of your funding. To those of you going into the world of business, finance or banking remember community responsibility, to share with those who have a need. To those of you going on to law, medical or grad school, the lessons you have learned here will serve you well. This is what is so exciting about being an SESP graduate. You can go anywhere and you can do anything!

I’m happy to congratulate each of you who have now achieved a distinction that will be with you always--a Northwestern University education!

Add to the world, never take away. Have safe travels; make it an amazing ride and an exciting trip!

Your journey awaits. Go—pack—your—bags!

Thank you.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download