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|Graduation Celebration 2007
May 11, 2007, Maverick Stadium
Hello, Mavericks! [cheering and applause]
Tonight, we celebrate together the achievements of our Class of 2007. We reflect upon your years at UT Arlington–years marked by triumphs, successes, discoveries, breakthroughs, and experiences that have made you who you are today. When you reflect about your time at UT Arlington, I hope you'll see that this University–your University–made a difference in your life. My strongest hope is that tonight does not mark an ending, but rather the beginning of the next phase of our lifelong, on-going relationship.
When we began our partnership, you were no doubt a different person. You've grown and changed, just as our campus has added new buildings, new programs, and new traditions. Your experiences here have been transforming. You've been challenged and tested, your understandings have been expanded, your horizons have been broadened. And to reach this milestone, you've worked hard–both in and out of the classroom. Harder than probably even you realize.
Every generation of college students experiences challenges in their academic pursuits. You have learned to cope with the challenges of your world–from multi-tasking, to balancing career and family, to understanding that the sheer will to succeed is sometimes as important as your ability. But this has prepared you for what's to come. You understand how to form partnerships and teams and build bridges that lead to solutions. You understand the value of self-sufficiency and collaboration–you know because you've been doing it throughout the pursuit of your degree! And most importantly, you understand that your education opens a world of new questions, new perspectives, and new experiences.
You have an education and a degree that will serve you well, no matter what you decide to do. You have acquired new skills, extended your knowledge, and learned to be critical thinkers. You can appreciate the value of learning, inquiry, and the desire to know more.
In short, be proud, but don't be complacent. As a college graduate, you are well positioned to take the next step in your life and career.
But with opportunity, comes responsibility–to serve, to lead, and to be a role model. Your education has given you an intellectual compass that will guide your decisions and the choices you make. What you have learned at UT Arlington–from your professors as well as classmates– establishes a foundation for what you will do and what you will become.
You have learned what it means to be a mentor, a leader, and a Maverick. Tonight, I'm proud to say, that you are Maverick alumni [applause]–alumni who will guide the way for future generations of students who will walk in your footsteps.
And now, it's my great honor to introduce–and welcome back to Texas–someone whose commitment to lifelong learning has made her a guiding light and a wonderful advocate for education around the world. As First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush has used her office to amplify her compelling values, advocating that women and children all over the world have the same fundamental human rights and respect that we have in our country.
Mrs. Bush convened the Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development, which allowed scholars and educators to share their research on preparing children to be lifelong learners. Mrs. Bush also works with teacher recruitment programs like Teach For America, The New Teacher Project, and Troops to Teachers–initiatives that are also important here at UT Arlington.
Mrs. Bush's passion for reading is both well-known and contagious. She helped launch the first National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. In its first year, the Festival drew 85,000 book- lovers from across the nation.
She is a literacy champion, an American patriot, and the former First Lady of Texas. I am proud to add one more distinction: Tonight, you are and will forever be a Maverick.
Please join me in welcoming back to Arlington, Mrs. Laura Bush. [cheering and applause]
