More than 1300 students graduate

Fort Worth, TX

5/12/2007

TCU graduated its largest spring class ever with 1,346 students participating in a split Commencement ceremony in TCU's Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

During the 10 a.m. ceremony, 677 students from the Neeley School of Business, School of Education, and College of Science & Engineering graduated, while 669 students from AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Communication, College of Fine Arts, and Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences graduated during the 3 p.m. ceremony. TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. delivered the Commencement remarks at both ceremonies.

Of the total number of candidates, 1,059 received bachelor’s degrees (11 will receive double degrees; one will receive a triple degree), 244 received master’s degrees, and six received a Ph.D. 359 students graduated with Latin honors including 14 with a perfect 4.0 GPA.  Brite Divinity School graduated four doctoral students and 33 master’s degree candidates. Additionally, 55 alumni from the class of 1957 participated in the morning ceremony as part of their 50th year reunion celebration.
 
The University also graduated students from all over the world and country including 57 students from 31 countries, 249 students from 37 states outside of Texas and 1,038 from Texas.  One of the graduating students, James Ajith, survived civil war in his country by walking from Sudan and Ethiopia to Kenya along with other young boys. The boys, all orphans, were ultimately called the “Lost Boys”. Ajith graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics.

Chancellor Victor J. Boschini's remarks follow:

“As each graduating class grows larger, the Commencement ceremony grows longer. And the graduates and audience pray that the Commencement address will grow shorter. Since I came to TCU as a “freshman” with the Class of 2007, today I come also celebrating our four years together at TCU.  Don’t worry ... I’ll be brief. Not nearly so brief as Salvador Dali, who gave the world’s shortest speech, as recalled by the biologist Edward O. Wilson.  Dali stood up and said, “I will be so brief I have already finished.” 

Then he sat down.

Well, I am still standing.

Graduation day is a family reunion, a personal milestone, and New Year’s Eve for the life you begin tomorrow... cheers and tears... a day to reflect on good friends, good times, and goodbyes. To each graduate today, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. This day belongs to you. And to the family, friends, faculty and staff here today -- thank you for sharing in this grand occasion.  

TCU has prepared you well for whatever lies ahead.  True to our mission, you are ready to go into the world and take your place as ethical leaders.  And this is a time when the world cries out for ethical leaders.  A time when the problems that face us require creative solutions. A time when a TCU education -- and all that it implies --  is more important than ever before.  

Your thoughts will turn to Texas Christian University often through the years to come:  When you hear a football score, and -- wherever you may be -- cheer another Horned Frog victory.  When you recount to a job interviewer how you learned to be an effective leader. When you spot a stranger wearing a TCU class ring and know you share a common bond.

As the person offering this Commencement message, it’s my duty to pass on some memorable advice -- words that will stay with you for a lifetime.  As I prepared for today’s ceremony, I thought back fondly to my own commencement in 1978.  Then reality hit: not only could I not remember the words offered on that otherwise memorable occasion... but I couldn’t even remember who spoke at that commencement!    

Since then, my academic career has taken me to a number of graduations.  I know the expectation of a commencement speech:  quickly delivered and more quickly forgotten.  And I assure you, as President Bush told a recent graduating class:  “This speech really is shorter than it seems!”

Now that you are college graduates, you will be moving into “The Real World.” a.k.a. TRW.   That’s the place where there is no spring break.  To ease your way in your freshman year at TRW, I will share some suggestions offered by two of my favorite authors, Terry Bibo and Wes Smith.  Because from now on -- there is no spring break.

The good news is that, if in “The Real World,” you should find out you really don’t know anything, at least now you know where to look it up.  Here goes.  And you don’t even have to take notes!

-- Never make a credit decision on a beach.   
-- Don’t confuse reality shows for Reality.  You can’t vote a troublesome co-worker or difficult neighbor off the island. You have to work it out.
-- Beware the purchase that requires nothing down and no interest until 2012.
-- Never grocery shop on an empty stomach.
-- If the payment on that new BMW seems low, make sure you’re buying, not leasing.
-- Some people have never heard of Fredrick Nietzsche.  Others don’t care.
-- Before long, people your age will be buying lawn mowers and having children.  Learn to feign interest in both.  
-- Soon your parents will expect you to pay for half of the golf cart.
-- Never wear flip-flops after the temperature drops below freezing.
-- Most babies and student loan payments come due in about nine months.
-- Life isn’t on the semester plan.  You don’t get a fresh start every 12 weeks.  
-- And finally, if you remember just one thing today, remember this:  Class of 2007, you get what you give.  Be a little more charitable in all your actions to others and you will reap a lifetime of close family ties and lifelong friends.

We often forget how fortunate we are, so fortunate that we can joke about what lies before us.  In too much of the “real world” there is angst, anger and sadness.  So before I leave you today, I want to share a true story about the triumph of the human spirit, about the caring campus community that your soon-to-be alma mater truly is.
This is the story of a young man who literally walked from the Sudan to Kenya to escape a rebel attack. The young male survivors of the Sudan conflict have been called the “Lost Boys.” But this young man was found -- found by TCU.  James Ajith entered our country as a refugee, sponsored by a church attended by Dean of Admission, Ray Brown.  Dean Brown helped him get a job on the TCU grounds crew.  Shortly thereafter he also decided he wanted to attend TCU and earn a degree.  And today he walks across the stage to accept a TCU degree in economics.  What a triumph!

Graduates, most of you will be leaving our campus and constructing a new future.  You certainly got enough construction experience in the last four years!  But it’s my sincere hope that your graduation does not mark the end of your connection with your alma mater -- merely the beginning.  Now that you are an alumnus, we need you more than ever.

Our world is a rapidly changing one, where so much is disposable.  Few things last.  But there is one thing that can’t be taken away from you.  That is your degree and your relationship with your alma mater.   Our university is defined by unity and a sense of community, and you are leaving your indelible imprint upon us.  

You now are taking a new place in that one-of-a-kind community and joining the elite circle of TCU alumni.  And as you successfully venture into the world beyond the campus borders, we are proud that you are a Horned Frog.  It’s my great hope that after your years at Texas Christian University, you will bring peace and love into the world.  Begin with the family and friends who are with you today. Then build outward.

I’ll close now -- not with “good-bye” and “good luck” -- but with “so long.”  I look forward to seeing you soon and seeing you often.  
May your future success match today’s great accomplishment and bring credit to TCU, your family, and most importantly, to you.  

God bless you as you embark on a life that I hope will be filled with joy and peace.  

Congratulations and thank you.”