A message scrawled on the rear window of a car caught my “eagle-eyes” and reminded me that I had prepared a few thoughts for a hypothetical commencement address over a month ago and then, like so many other blogs that have been drafted, it got buried in the pile of “things to do.” So, for better or for worse, here are a few of those thoughts; weeks after the sound of Pomp and Circumstance have faded away.
Over the years I’ve participated in many graduations as a student or as a faculty member at Towson State Teachers College, University of Maryland-College Park, Ball State Teachers College, Northern Illinois University, and San Francisco State University. In fact my cap & gown, a gift from my mother in 1958, are still hanging in a closet where they have been for the past 15 years. I never have delivered, nor do I ever expect to give a commence address; but since this is (was) the season for graduation ceremonies at all levels from kindergartens to universities; what might I say to the grads, if I were asked.Let’s pick Sonoma State University, for example, since it is so close. We must keep in mind that with today’s ceremonies, although formal and dignified, there is also humor, gaiety and occasional pranks.
I would start off by telling them that I would be brief so that they could get their hands on that diploma; the main reason why they showed up today. How might I do this? How about the use of 21st Century technology? I could “text message” while they listen (?) to me praise them for their achievements after studying so hard over the years. But, that just might not be good enough for this momentous occasion in their lives. I might also feel compelled to step aside from the podium, go over and sit on the edge of the platform, look them straight in the eye and tell them a little bit about my personal journey along life’s pathway, and gaining “knowledge, creativity, and wisdom.” (Don’t all commencement speakers do this, these days?)
Or, I could get very personal and tell them about YMCA Camp Conoy, on Chesapeake Bay, and the messages placed in jars and buried in the campfire circle on the top of one of the cliffs facing the bay waters I’m certain that some of these “secret” messages, written 50-60 years ago contain thoughts about the hopes and dreams of these youngsters. (I know that my own handwritten notes expressed such thoughts.) The camp director, a born leader and mentor for many of us, was a master in his use of “face-to-face” communication. He was someone who had that unique ability to attract young, energetic men and women to a summer camp, year after year, and mold them into a team of counselors that served youth in so many positive and constructive ways. These young leaders of youth were students of many different academic majors: history, art, music, philosophy, literature, math, and science. They went on to become doctors, lawyers, bankers, politicians, teachers, ministers, and yes – even professors. After many years, although we were scattered all over the country, we came back to the cliffs of Calvert County for a reunion. We were still “connected” in spirit and with a place where we received an education that’s difficult to duplicate in a university classroom or a campus laboratory.
In many ways, the SSU campus- has managed to evolve over the years and become a place where students from a variety of backgrounds come to study and become connected to knowledge-creators and wisdom-translators who manage to transmit and share their “knowledge, creativity and wisdom” using both technology and “f-t-f” methods. These dedicated and committed faculty members are like “lighthouses” who show their student voyagers safe and secure passageways to their destinations. Even though these graduates will leave the “shores” of the SSU campus, its “beacon” will follow them and might dim over the years; but they’ll never forget the “connections” – electronic, as well as human.
I could go on and on, but I promised to be brief. “Thank you for your attention and congratulations. My hat’s off to you and your family and friends. You may go back to your text messaging now. Just make sure one of those messages thanks your parents and your mentors for their support. It’s time to celebrate!”
P.S. Some readers might wonder why I used the “lighthouse” metaphor. It’s a long story, but one “dark and stormy” night, it was the Cove Point Lighthouse, along the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay that (IMHO) saved my life. But that’s another story for another time.