College of Liberal Arts Commencement

December 11, 2004
Texas Hall

Good evening. I'm delighted to be here to join in this special day with you, to congratulate you on this important achievement, and to share a few thoughts.

Although graduation speeches often include some excellent advice, I know that few people remember much of what they hear. I know many of you are anxious to receive your diploma-you've already worked four years, or more, for it-and that you've got family to hug, celebrations to attend, and photos to take. But I remind you ... patience is a virtue! And I remind myself ... so is brevity!

I begin by acknowledging someone who's been an unstinting advocate for you, and who's been a wonderful addition to our university's academic leadership. She is also one of the most-appreciated and most-respected people on campus-Dr. Beth Wright, the dean of Liberal Arts. Many of you have come to know Beth over the past year, and I'm sure you echo my sentiments. We're fortunate to have her as a long-time distinguished faculty member and new Dean.

Those of you who know me know that I enjoy the poetry of Robert Frost. I found a quote I thought beautifully summed up the diligence needed to earn a college degree. Frost wrote, "The best way out is always through." Don't you love that?! Congratulations on making it through. Your degree-Bachelor's, Masters or Doctorate-from The University of Texas at Arlington will always serve you well!

You've earned this. Some of you are the first from your family with a college education. Some of you are just the latest in a long line. Some of you returned to school after working for awhile. I have good news for all of you: The job market is looking up. That's what you really want to hear in a graduation speech, isn't it?

On a basic level, the value of a UTA degree is widely recognized. Leading employers visit our campus to hire our graduates, and the report back is always the same: UTA graduates are hard-working and disciplined, they're well-prepared, they have realistic expectations, and they can be counted on.

So what does this mean for you? You've earned your degree from a highly regarded university. Now, you'll be able to start a career, or perhaps continue your studies. You can expect great things in life, just as you have from this university.

This promise also gives you responsibility. This is the time of year when we often think about the less-fortunate, and that's an important mission certainly during the holidays. But I hope your personal achievement instills in you a permanent commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around you. Consider the joint effort recently by the Center for Mexican-American Studies and Delta Phi Omega, who served Thanksgiving meals around the community. Consider Student Activities adopting 100 Salvation Army angels, and consider the UTA faculty, staff, and students who have generously added these children to their holiday lists. Consider the philanthropic work of the Center for Community Service Learning and the Honors College, and consider the hundreds of university employees who generously donate a portion of their paychecks each month to charities through the State Employees Charitable Campaign or similar programs.

But when I urge you to make a difference in the lives of those around you, I don't mean just contributing time and money to charities. Although I personally consider that to be an important responsibility of everyone, it's only part of a greater mission. I'm also talking about being civic-minded, about working for the good of your community, about remembering where you came from. I'm talking about lifting up your friends and family-or even complete strangers-when they're down. I'm talking about a smile, a kind word, a pat on the back. I'm talking about making someone's day a little better because they saw you, and someone's life a little better because he or she knew you. Be involved. Be engaged in the life of your community-in the political and cultural life of where you live. Make sure your voice is heard. And as Winston Churchill once famously said: "Never, never, never give up!"

Perhaps some of you will become teachers, professors, or public servants. Maybe you've planned a career in law or in politics. I ask that you use your education to make a difference in the lives of those around you. Whatever you do tomorrow, I ask that you remember today. I also ask that you think about what is now your alma mater. We want to have a lifelong relationship with you. You are now a UTA graduate, an alumnus or alumna. That means something special to you and to all of us at UTA. Let's make sure you continue to be connected with UTA. We need to be committed to each other.

Making a difference in the lives of those around you includes promoting the importance of education and making education not only better, but more accessible. As the Class of 2004, you're role models for future generations of UTA students. There are thousands of students on this campus who someday want to be where you are right now. There are thousands of future Mavericks-perhaps even some here this evening-who will follow in your footsteps across this stage. Be good role models for them. Share the story of the transforming power of education and of this university. Make a difference in their lives.

With every milestone you've reached, I'm sure you heard the same speech. Before your parents loaned you the car, before any big event in your life, the words were always the same: "You know that with more privileges ... come more responsibilities." My wife Sally and I have a son and a daughter-both recent college graduates. We've made that speech before. But as you've grown older and experienced more, you've seen the truth in that. The price of privilege is always responsibility; the right to do something means the duty to give back. That's certainly true for education. With the conferring of your degree today comes the obligation of using what you've learned to raise others up, to help others out, and to influence the lives of those around you.

English philosopher Herbert Spencer said, "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." You've got the knowledge. You're about to be handed a diploma that proves that. Today, I call you to the action. It was once said of Eleanor Roosevelt that she would rather light candles than curse the darkness. I urge you, then, to be in the lifelong business of lighting candles with the words you write and speak, the images you create, the knowledge you share with others, and the actions you take everyday. Be in the business of lighting candles.

Congratulations and best wishes ... Class of 2004.