Chancellor Boschini remarks

Fort Worth, TX

5/8/2010

Commencement is a glorious day of celebration

for the graduates,

for your families and friends,

and for this university.

 

Most of you came to TCU four years ago – some longer.

You arrived with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Your worries were: 

Will I be able to earn good grades?

Will I even be able to find my classrooms?

Will I make any friends?

 

Then you experienced Orientation and Frog Camp

And felt a bit more confident about your new home away from home.

 

When you finally got here, you discovered

the Hyper Frogs and football tailgates,

working out at the Rec,

studying with classmates at FrogHenge,

And, when the pressure was really on,

rubbing the nose of the Horned Frog statue for luck

(perhaps in the dead of night when no one else was around).

It must have worked – you’re here!

 

As each semester nears completion, I always enjoy reading the final edition of the Skiff which features departing thoughts from graduating students. 

 

One writer in last week’s edition

admitted to being “terrified”

when she got on the bus to Frog Camp.

She saw us as “reptile loving maniacs.”

Now she reportedly is one. . .  For life. 

And so are all of you.

 

You have learned a lot at TCU.

You learned that you can never have too many purple shirts.

That when you really need Frog Fries in the wee hours,

the Ol’ South Pancake House is always open.

That snow days make great memories and wonderful photo ops.

And that survival is possible even in the toughest of weeks.

 

A lot has happened in your time here.

 

You started college to the sounds of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

You end with the Black Eyed Peas. 

And, yes, “Tonight’s going to be a good good night”

as you celebrate your great achievement.

 

When you arrived,

Taylor Hicks was the American Idol.

Borat was on the road across America.

And Gnarls Barkley told us “I think you’re Crazy [KRAY-ZEE] .”

 

The i-Phone didn’t exist,

There was no Hot Tub Time Machine,

and “we” was not spelled with two eyes (Wii).

 

While you were here:

Texadelphia was replaced by Buffalo Brothers..

Paula Abdul was replaced by Ellen.

And, Jay Leno was replaced by Conan O’Brien who was replaced by Jay Leno.

 

The TCU campus has grown and changed too.

Two symbols of your years at TCU could be orange barrels

and a construction fence. 

But I hope you’ve been pleased with the results.

 

The Mabee Education Complex,

the TCU Bookstore,

the Brown-Lupton University Union,

the Residence Halls in the Campus Commons,

the start of the new Mary Wright Admission Center,

and the beautiful new and improved Frog Fountain.

 

In my frequent visits with alumni, I often hear about their memories of TCU.

Campus landmarks form the background

of many of their fondest thoughts about days spent at TCU.

I’m betting it will be the same for you.

 

You will long remember many special events and achievements.

 

•         Many of you have engaged in significant research projects and perhaps have presented on campus or at national scholarly meetings.

 

We congratulate you on your contributions to knowledge.  You have brought national and international recognition to TCU, to your faculty mentors, and to yourselves.   

 

Whether in the lab, the library, or on the stage, you have brought learning to life and inspired us to ever higher standards of excellence. 

 

•         Service has been important to the members of this graduating class:  tutoring and mentoring,

cleaning up and fixing up,

raising money for worthy causes and raising spirits –

you have found many ways to give back to others. 

And, I know it will continue.

 

•         You will remember the many interesting, notable

speakers and performers who expanded your TCU education. 

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta ,

oil and gas entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens,

Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shoes,

and environmental activist Robert Kennedy Jr.

are among those heard by students. 

 

You also heard the music of the Zac Brown Band,

the Goo Goo Dolls, One Republic, and our own talented campus musicians

 

You have enjoyed the work of talented students in many plays,

Including “Little Women,” “Our Town,”

and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  

In this class are cast and crew members

from many theatrical and musical events on campus. 

Thank you for bringing quality performances

to the campus and the community..

 

•         Many in this class have been outstanding leaders

for our more than 200 student organizations and campus activities. 

 

A number of student groups along with academic departments and our administrative environmental team have helped TCU earn recognition as an environmentally-responsible university.  Congratulations and thank you to all who are making purple-and-white very Green.

 

Our student leaders leave a legacy of enhancing TCU traditions

and supporting innovation.  We thank you for all you have done

to make the university a community, a family,

and a lively, interesting place. 

 

We are confident that you will indeed change the world as you begin your post-undergrad life.

 

•         I know that many of you have supported our athletics program

 

Over the past four seasons, we have seen the football program

ranked in the top 25 three times, including twice in the top 10

culminating this past season with a No. 6 ranking

and a BCS Bowl game. 

 

A number of sports have held conference titles

and have been nationally ranked.

 

This spring, the TCU Rifle Team took the NCAA Championship. 

While it is a coed sport, TCU was the first all-women’s team

to take the NCAA top spot in rifle.

 

Our women’s AND men’s tennis teams just won Mountain West Conference Championships last weekend to join football, women’s basketball, and the men’s swimming and diving team as conference champions this season.  And track and baseball…both with promising records…have not yet completed their seasons.

 

This positive momentum is not just on the field but in the stands as well, as many of you here today helped us set attendance records this past season at four of six sports we ticket here at TCU.

 

From the classroom to the stage to the playing field…

It’s a great time to be a Horned Frog!  [pause for applause]

 

This is a day of celebration and of some sadness.

No more sleeping in.

No more naps.

You will now enter the land of “no more spring break.”

March will no longer be synonymous with Spring Break but will serve as a “reminder” on your calendar that you only have a few weeks left to get your income taxes ready.

And when it comes to paying bills,

“send home” will no longer be an option.

No wonder you are sad!

 

It is hard to say “goodbye.”

Another thought expressed in last week’s Skiff was,

“I’ll never have to say goodbye to the part of me

that TCU helped shape and form.” 

The writer went on to say that TCU will be a constant part of her life.  She is right.

 

Whether you are staying nearby or traveling around the world,

you are taking TCU with you.

 

You will keep close those special TCU friends

who saw you through the best and worst times. 

If you are very lucky, in this class is someone who

will be in your wedding, be a godparent to your child,

and who will continue your many conversations

about life’s challenges and opportunities.

 

Stay connected with the TCU faculty and staff

who have mentored and advised you. 

This network will serve you well as life unfolds around you

in ways  predictable, remarkable, surprising, and challenging. 

When you hit some bumps in the road,

know that you can connect with people here

who have encouraged you as a student. 

 

I recently heard about a faculty member who reported during a meeting,“I love what happens in the classroom between my students and me.  But I receive a bonus even after my students graduate and move on to their promising lives. 

 

To hear from them…to learn of their accomplishments and their challenges…to be invited to their weddings…to receive holiday greeting cards featuring photos of their families…I have the best job in the world.”

 

Please know that we (faculty, administrators, and staff) sincerely believe that teaching you has been a privilege and honor…and knowing you has been a bonus for each of us.  [pause]

 

You are well prepared for whatever comes your way –

not because you know everything there is to know. 

But because, at TCU, you have learned how to learn.

 

You have learned to think critically and analyze carefully. 

You have become a good communicator and better listener.

You have learned that actions have consequences.

That, as an educated person, you have responsibilities to others.

You will do well.

 

Recall your university days with pride and fondness.

Draw on them to inform and inspire your future.

 

Going forward, stay true to your values,

confident of your abilities,

sure of your purpose,

and grateful for your alma mater.

 

We are proud of you.

We will continue to work very hard to make you proud of TCU.

 

We will miss you . . . stay in touch.

Godspeed on your way.