TCU graduated 1,303 students during Spring Commencement

Fort Worth, TX

5/8/2008

A total of 1,303 students graduated from TCU during Saturday's split Commencement ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. (see downloadable photos)

The Honorable Roger Williams, former Secretary of State and TCU alumnus, delivered both Commencement addresses at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

The morning ceremony consisted of 697 candidates receiving degrees from the Neeley School of Business, College of Education, College of Science & Engineering and the master of liberal arts graduate program. Graduating senior physics major Chris Bryant led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. The TCU Commencement Band, under the direction of Professor Bobby R. Francis, Professor Brian Youngblood and Professor James McNair, played for both ceremonies. The class of 1958 was in attendance celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation. John Merrill, former director of TCU’s Ranch Management Program, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his lifelong dedication to the ranching industry.

The 606 students who graduated in the afternoon represented AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Communication, College of Fine Arts, and Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Brite Divinity School graduated 31 students during the afternoon ceremony. Graduating senior music and vocal performance major Emily Foster led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. Sandra Brown, best-selling author, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her literary.

Below is the Honorable Rogers Williams' Commencement address:

Thank you Dr. Boschini. Distinguished faculty members, and most importantly, graduates, family, and friends of the Class of 2008.

Today comes as the result of years of hard work, late night study sessions, and, hopefully, many great friendships and fun along the way.

I’m confident that the lessons you have learned here at TCU, both in and out of the classroom, have prepared you for greatness as you enter the next stage of your life.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, of Texas, said, “Education, more than any single force, will mold the citizen of the future.”

I’d have to agree. Your time at TCU has helped shape you into the leaders of your generation and it is this class that will guide us into tomorrow.

From Heisman Trophies to Broadway Plays to Military Heros to Super Bowls to Horatio Alger Awards to Big and Small Business Leaders…“Horned Frogs” have paved the way across this country. I can only imagine what great new things this class will accomplish as you walk out these doors today.

I know I’m not the first, and probably won’t be the last, but I want to congratulate you and thank you for your commitment to the future of Texas and the future of America.

I’m sure you’ve all heard that a college degree is an extremely valuable asset in today’s society. But did you know that studies have shown that those with a Bachelor’s degree earn twice as much over a lifetime than a high school graduate?

And I know that a degree from TCU is worth even more than that! I was reminded of the importance of a college education a few years ago when we were honoring the man who drafted me to the Atlanta Braves back in 1972.

So I guess my degree from TCU is worth something after all – despite what some of you may think!

As many of you enter the workforce, you will soon have a full understanding of the importance of a strong economy. As Texas Secretary of State, I traveled all over our nation and world spreading the good news of what we are doing here in Texas, explaining that the free enterprise system is the best system in the world and we have to do our part to keep it that way.

As negative economic news grips parts of the country, the Texas economy continues to grow diversity and prosper. And that’s no accident.

Our great Texas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers create new job opportunities. And our elected officials maintain educational, tax and regulatory climates that keep and attract jobs to the Lone Star State.

In Texas, we created 40,000 new jobs in the last three months alone… and have an unemployment rate at 4.3%.

So I tell you we are doing great. We must continue to remind people that hard work and profit are not dirty words. You are the future leaders in the business world and you need to make money so you can hire, expand, and in the end pay taxes and contribute to your community…and be able to pay tuition to TCU for your children! Economic freedom is alive and well in Texas!

And as proud young Texans, please don’t let the word “no” stand in the way of your success. Your glass should always be half full and not half empty. Which reminds me of my definition of a great Texan – and that is person who knows what the word “impossible” means, but knows that it does NOT apply to them. ALL of you are great Texans!

A few days ago, a Wall Street Journal column recounted all the successful people who were told “NO” early in their careers.

Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school basketball team. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for “lacking imagination.”

J.K. Rowling, Dr. Seuss and the Beatles were all rejected – sometimes multiple times – before achieving great success.

I always tell people, “If you’re under 30, find a friend over 50 – they will give you wisdom; and if you’re over 50, find a friend under 30 – they will give you energy!” I can feel the energy and excitement in the air this morning, so I guess it’s up to me to give that “over 50 wisdom” to you today. In case you are wondering I am in that Wisdom category.

My first bit of wisdom comes from my father. He used to remind me that there is no such thing as a “self-made” man.

In America and especially in Texas, we like to buy into the ideal image of the self made man - the guy who pulled himself up by his boot straps and made something of himself.

But no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have had individuals who had a hand in molding us into the men and women we are today.

My father was a man who survived the Great Depression and a World War. He started with nothing and ended up with something, always thanking those who helped him out along the way.

I hope that, in the same way, you will take a moment this weekend to thank your family and friends and professors that are here today supporting and celebrating with you. They have helped you get to this point and deserve a round of applause for all their efforts.

I know, personally, that I would not be the person I am now if it weren’t for the support of so many through the years.

On the baseball field, I had coaches and trainers that helped me refine my athletic skills while teaching me dedication, perseverance and self-discipline. But none of them showed me how to hit the curve ball and that was the problem!

In the business arena, I had my parents, great people of character, who taught me the rewards of hard work and integrity. And I have former President Bush who taught me the importance of public service.

I am grateful for the efforts these people took to prepare me for the positions I have held at this point in my life.

Still, it should go deeper than gratitude. My first challenge to you today is to actively seek out individuals that you can nudge on towards greatness and push them towards success and live a life people can copy.

In other words, “Sponsor someone.” Be the man or woman in their life that helps them as they create their legacy.

There is no greater reward than to be that extra encouragement or determination that a friend, relative or co-worker needs to accomplish their goals and fulfill their dreams and there is nothing in the world that can take it away and it stays with you forever.

As I mentioned before, former President Bush has made a great impact on my life by teaching me the value of public service. He defines public service as the “most noble calling of all,” and argues that, “we need men and women of character to believe in their communities, in their states, and in their country.”

And I challenge you today to carry a mindset of public service throughout the next phase of your life.

In 2006, Texans provided the second-largest volunteer force in the nation with almost 5 million people volunteering – that’s more than the entire population of states like Oklahoma, Kansas, or Alabama!

And it was college graduates that composed the highest number of volunteers in America. Studies have shown that your generation is already exceeding mine in community service, which is just fine with me!

So as you begin new careers and enter the next stage in your life’s adventure, I hope that you will always carry that public service mindset along with you and continue one of the great Texan traditions of just “giving back” to make things better. Find something that you are passionate about and volunteer! Something for nothing is a big deal. And never forget this University because it should always deserve your attention - whether it is with your sweat, your energy, or your treasure.

And while you look for opportunities to give, keep in mind that, “America does not give because it is rich; America is rich because it gives.” It has given us all of you here today, and for that we are very, very grateful.

And as we look to the future, there is no doubt in my mind that the graduates of TCU will make a tremendous impact in Texas and a tremendous impact in America.

While we’re talking about making an impact, I want to leave you with one final challenge. It involved one of my top priorities as Secretary of State, and is something that has garnered a lot of media attention. Graduates, we need your help in improving the voting environment in Texas, especially among your peers!

In the last Presidential election, only 5% of eligible 18-29 year olds cast votes to elect our President. I often hear of young people complaining that the government doesn’t listen, doesn’t care, or do what they think.

The reason is that you aren’t speaking loud enough. Your vote is your voice, and you’re simply not voting and you can not be heard.

I want to encourage you, as you begin the journey of adult life, no matter your political affiliations or views, to make sure your voices and your opinions are heard by those in Washington, those in Austin, and those at the local level.

The time to act is now. Studies have shown that the voting patterns individuals establish in their twenties will carry on with them throughout the rest of their lives.

If current trends hold true, when this class is celebrating its 25th reunion, you will have had little to say in the direction America has gone or where it is going.

However, I don’t think that will be the case. We are seeing some of the brightest stars arise from this generation and I believe this class of graduates will be the ones that make a huge difference and set our country and state on the path way to the future not the path way to the past.

So my last challenge to you is this: take personal responsibility for your country and for your future.

It’s trendy in some quarters to run America down. To focus on inequity and injustice, instead of freedom and opportunity.

I believe America has always been – and is today - a beacon of hope in a challenging world. Our nation has overcome improbable odds and obstacles.

Our people have risen to every challenge. And our national character is built on faith, family, and perseverance.

But whatever your politics or current outlook on the nation, remember that you have the ability and the obligation to lead.

Show those in Washington and Austin that you have a powerful voice and a strong commitment! Let them know what you want this state and this country to look like. It is your vision for the future. Exercise your Patriotic duty! Vote! It is a precious right that you have. You are the leaders of this generation and you can be the ones to show your families, your friends, your co-workers, and the world what being a Texan and being an American truly means.

Everyone here today will in your lifetime have many opportunities to make an impact on your community, your state, and your country.

On May 29, 1968 – as he spoke to the TCU graduation ceremony - President Lyndon B. Johnson stood at this very podium in this very building and said, “I know the future will be often perilous and frustrating. The past, you know, has been that way too. But what we have accomplished in these years – and what you are tonight – tells me that we have only begun to achieve the greatness that is our destiny.”

In closing, I want you to remember that every night you go to bed in America and every morning you wake up in America, you are ahead of the competition. So take days on, not take days off…never give in and never give out…and don’t try to predict the future, you invent the future…

… and in the words of former TCU Football Coach, Dutch Meyer, “As Horned Frogs, you fight’em ‘til hell freezes over, and then you fight’em on the ice!”

Thank you for having me here today. May God Bless all of you, May God Always Bless Texas Christian University, May God Continue to Bless America, and May God Bless this Great State we simply call TEXAS!