Chancellor Boschini Fall 2009 Commencement remarks

Fort Worth, TX

12/19/2009

Chancellor Victor J. Boschini delivered the Fall 2009 Commencement Address:

Ladies and gentlemen, commencement is a glorious day of celebration for you, our graduates, for your families and friends, and for this university.

This season of holidays is made even more festive by the accomplishments of today’s graduates. To many families, the diploma is a gift from their graduates, representing the long-held dreams of parents.

For most graduates, the university diploma is in some measure a gift from their families whose support through the years was so important to success. But, let me assure you that these diplomas are not gifts given to the graduates.

They have been earned: through long days and short nights. Through bouts of illness – yours and your computer’s. Through orange barrels and detours. A succession of part-time jobs and full-time assignments. Broken hearts and great romances. Memorable moments and lasting friendships. You, our graduates, have been on quite a journey to get to this day.

Let me remind you how long it has been since you began this undertaking. When most of you arrived for Howdy Week, Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston. Britney Spears was married to Kevin Federline. And none of us knew Jon and Kate or any of their eight.

When you began your studies, “Twilight” was a time of day, and a “tweet” was a sound made by a bird. You came in with “Grand Theft Auto, Three.” You leave with “Cash For Clunkers.”

While here, the Apple Store replaced The Gap, Dutch’s replaced Jon’s Hamburgers, and Texas Stadium was replaced with “The Palace in Dallas.”

On campus, you saw the bookstore destroyed by fire, and the new store, at last, open. You saw “The Dancehall Dreamer” Pat Green, The Zac Brown Band, and One Republic on the Commons.

Many of you cast your first vote for a President in a historic national election. You came in with a booming economy. Now, the only thing booming is the Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow.”

Last month, the Oxford American Dictionary announced their annual selection of the Word of the Year.

From among such words as “hashtag,”  “stay-cation, ”H1N1,” and “netbook,” they declared that the Word of the Year is the social network term:  “unfriend.”

Well, ladies and gentlemen, they didn’t do their research here,

because clearly the Word of the Year at TCU is not “Unfriend.” It is “Undefeated.” What a wonderful football season for Horned Frogs everywhere!

The entire campus had a lot of fun cheering ourselves into laryngitis, putting on a great show for “ESPN’s Game Day.”And watching Lee Corso put on the Super Frog head . . . twice! 12 and 0.  Wow.

It is customary for us to ask graduates to comment on a favorite memory at TCU. Many students commented on the “undefeated” football season, a difficult project resulting in a good grade, or a memorable performance resulting from months and months of practice.

One student, however, made a “play on words” as he described his favorite memory as what I would call his “undefeated” moment:  passing biomechanics.  Passing a class is a victory many of you can relate to!

As TCU students, you have challenged yourselves academically through research, writing, and vigorous classroom discussion.  You inspired your faculty and elevated your classmates with your commitment to success – even when the going was tough. Some days you were frustrated and even discouraged. In a few courses, you “snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.” Today is evidence that you, too, are undefeated.

From the concert stage to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, from the Frogs for the Cure to LEAPS,you have stepped up to leadership. With compassion and commitment, you enhanced the life of this campus.

We have described a TCU education as “Learning to change the world.” At TCU you have learned many things. Art history, mineralogy, Latin American history, the Philosophy of Law, British Literature, and more. You have sampled our outstanding academic offerings and, in the process, you have learned how to learn. You take with you the skill to comprehend the complex, and appreciate the simple. To analyze  and evaluate, and trust your instincts. To communicate by listening and persuade with understanding.

You have learned in the classroom, the laboratory, the studio, the stage, and beyond. You learned a great deal from roommates who have forgiven all kinds of bad habits and bad days. From classmates who have explained . . . again . . . a concept with which you struggled. From faculty advisors who have nudged and nurtured you to greater clarity and confidence. From staff mentors who got you involved in campus life and coached you to be a more effective leader. As graduates, maintain your TCU network of support. You will surely need it again.

In life, there will be setbacks and surprises. They make the victories sweeter and relationships stronger. Speaking of relationships…

I want to share a short story with you about two men who were students at TCU in the Fall of 1961. They were fraternity brothers and roommates and were set for graduation in the Spring of 1965. They were not at graduation, however, as they were both drafted to military service in January of 1965. Circumstances of life prevented their return to college. They maintained a close friendship throughout the years and came back together to TCU to complete some unfinished business – their college degrees. They are receiving their diplomas today. Not only has their relationship remained strong but they pursued their dream when many people may have said, “Does it really matter now?”  It did matter to them.

As educated women and men, we expect you to change the world. That isn’t just commencement day rhetoric. I sincerely believe that you can and must be agents of change. Given the privilege of education, you now have a responsibility in your careers and communities to serve others and change lives. 

Clearly, this is a challenging time around the world and right here at home. The issues we face as concerned citizens are many. Nearly 50 million people in America – including almost one child in four – struggled last year to get enough to eat. The recent UN Climate Change Conference underscored the complexity and controversy surrounding the future of our planet. One in eight women born in the United States today will develop breast cancer some time in their lives. And the list goes on. 

From Dallas to Darfur, from Fort Worth to Fallujah, your leadership, your ideas, and your energy are needed.You have heard it said that these problems are so huge and embedded that we already are defeated. Far from it.  Each of you can make a difference.

Some in this class will Teach for America. Some will run for school board or other public office.  Some will volunteer at a community shelter or food pantry. Some will discover or invent strategies that can defeat diseases, improve living conditions, or create jobs. Some will write and perform works that will lift our spirits and inspire our actions. Many of you are already doing these things.  Keep it up. You have the ability to effect great change.

As we enter a new decade, you are beginning a new era in your lives. This is a time of opportunity and urgency, possibilities and promise. Allow me to share just a few words of advice. Live with integrity.  Act ethically. Laugh loudly.  Love completely. Say “Thank you” to the family and friends who made you believe you could do this. And don’t forget that fifth grade teacher or 4-H advisor whose encouragement set you on the path to this achievement. Think before you Tweet - some things shouldn’t be reduced to 140 characters. Know that what happens at TCU does not stay at TCU.  It goes with you. Memories & friendships - hold on to them. Continue your winning ways.  Retain your undefeated spirit. We will be proud of you. And we will continue to work very hard to make you proud of TCU.

Godspeed on your way.  We will miss you . . . ,  Come back to see us.