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|Graduation Celebration Speech
7:30 p.m., Friday, May 12, 2006
Maverick Stadium
Thank you, Regent Rowling. We're pleased that you've joined us tonight to celebrate.
This is a special evening in the life of UT Arlington, and I hope you'll always remember it. Years from now, when looking back on your time at UT Arlington, I hope you'll recognize that this university-your university-made a difference in your life. My strongest hope is that we will have an ongoing, lifelong relationship. You have invested much in UT Arlington, and UT Arlington has invested much in you.
And, finally, many thanks to the families of our graduates-not only for your constant support, but also for your guidance and counsel. You are our partners, and this celebration is for you, too.
We are here tonight to celebrate your earning a degree from UT Arlington. This is what you all have worked so hard for, and the accomplishment is genuine. But what's next? That's the question. How do you use that degree-and what you've learned during your years at UT Arlington?
Remember that hard work makes a difference. Aristotle wrote this: "In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action." In other words, the key is not only possessing good qualities or a good education with strong analytical and technical skills ... but how you use them.
It's difficult sometimes...but don't be discouraged by those who say you shouldn't, you wouldn't, you won't, or you can't. We're Mavericks, and Mavericks blaze their own trails, persevere in the face of adversity, and never give up.
One of my favorite persons in American history is Theodore Roosevelt-who was, in every sense, a Maverick. Even though he was president 100 years ago, his approach to life still resonates. He said this: "The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, whose faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strive valiantly; who err, and fall short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
There is an arena in everyone's life. Yours and mine. Either you're in the arena, working hard, trying your best, with sweat in your eyes and dirt on your face...or you're a spectator who only observes those in the arena. Either you're effecting change, striving for success, or blazing new trails ... or you're watching others do it.
Mavericks belong in the arena.
Mavericks are doers.
Mavericks aren't confined to their comfort zone, but work hard and serve others anywhere they can...to make a difference in the arena of their lives.
So whatever your career plans are after today, whether you are an architect or a social worker, a nurse or an urban planner, a teacher or an engineer, a musician or a scientist-or any other occupation or calling...I encourage you to be a Maverick and live the life you have chosen in the arena.
There is no question that our distinguished guest of honor this evening has spent his most of his life in the arena.
You may not know this, but General Franks began his student life down at UT Austin...not here. In Austin, he freely admits, he succeeded only at flunking out! So he left college and joined the Army as a private. Following OCS, he was a second lieutenant bound for the Vietnam War.
He returned two years later to continue his education, this time at UT Arlington, where he finished his academic work in progress. He had grown into a disciplined student focused on academics. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1971, with a 3.83 GPA.
We can't share our students' grade point averages now-that's personal information!-but we'll make an exception for General Franks.
General Franks' academic career started out on shaky ground in Austin. But he flourished and got it done at UT Arlington. We got it done together!
The rest is well-documented history, and I won't repeat it tonight. All I will say is that we could not be prouder of General Franks, or to call him one of our own. Now, join me in welcoming back home-an outstanding UT Arlington alumnus and a true Maverick, General Tommy Franks.
