I have heard many commencement speeches (and have delivered several such speeches in the past), and I find that many speakers leave almost nothing to remember themselves by. Many of us don’t even remember the speaker’s name, much less the "words of wisdom" they imparted.
I often wonder what criteria school administrators use to choose a speaker. The prestigious University of Pennsylvania invited U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan as the person most qualified to give advice to its 2005 graduating class. The university even bestowed an honorary doctor of laws degree upon him. Any politically or globally oriented person who has followed the coverage of the UN and its oil-for-food scandal is aware of how this UN aid program turned into what Fox News described as "the biggest graft-generating machine ever, enriching some of America’s most forceful opponents at the United Nations." At the helm of the U.N. from that time to now is Secretary General Annan who, despite being cleared of a direct role in the scandal, was harshly criticized in a U.N. report for misleading investigators and not scrutinizing his son’s lucrative involvement in diverting oil-for-food dollars to the Swiss company for which he worked. Question: What relevant advice can this bureaucrat credibly offer to a graduating class?
In the June 5 issue of the Orange County Register, the editorial staff recommended nine people who could best dispense relevant and inspiring commencement advice to any high school or college graduating class. As I have read the works of these nine, I agree with the OC Register’s editors that commencement speakers should be people of principle who understand how our present world really works, who are honest thinkers, preferably doers, who have insights into the basic debates of life and who can deliver such a message reasonably well.
Allow me to share with you two of the nine. First is Burt Rutan, who has designed 38 new airplanes in his three decades of hands-on involvement in aviation. He has been featured by 60 Minutes and that interview captivated millions of people. His SpaceShipOne won the Ansari X-Prize last October by flying beyond the atmosphere, and repeating the feat a week later. Two of his designs will soon be on permanent display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. According to the Register: "What’s really fascinating about Burt Rutan is how creatively he thinks about the world beyond airplane and spaceship designs, about what it takes to create a society in which accomplishments like his are possible and help to inspire even more from others. And he has an irreverent sense of humor fed by a keen understanding of the importance of doing things you love and having fun doing them if you want to have a good life."
Reading about Mr. Rutan reminds me of my rare privilege of meeting and hearing astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he was our keynote speaker in a Florida convention about eight years ago. To me, Rutan’s life and passion are real accomplishments that can enhance the quality of life on this earth. Indeed, his actions speak louder than words.
Another person who would make a great commencement speaker is syndicated columnist, scholar and author Thomas Sowell. His works speak highly about this deep-thinking economist who has debunked many myths about the liberal world populated by bureaucrats and Ph.D.s. In this world, many U.S. colleges and universities have marketed the idea that outside factors such as gender, sexual preference, race, ethnicity, economic background, and affirmative action are the determinants of individual success. Mr. Sowell, who parallels the accomplishments and philosophy of Justice Clarence Thomas (of the U.S. Supreme Court), could tell graduates that individuals can actually succeed on their own, without government favors, regardless of their background, religion, race or ethnicity.
Sowell’s 2001 book, Basic Economics and his more recent publication Affirmative Action Around the World should be made required reading for all economics, social science, political and business students around the world.
The educational system during my father’s generation was excellent as some of his classmates who finished 7th grade were the equivalents of a college graduate nowadays. Their going to school was an honor and they took the task responsibly with daily pride and discipline. That generation had class.
Our class in the ’60s was also great as the age of idealism was at its peak. Man landed on the moon; young people joined the Peace Corps. John F. Kennedy challenged his fellow Americans with his immortal admonition "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!"
Indeed, our choice of heroes and role models leaves indelible marks on our lives. We become what we want to become largely because of the people and ideals we pattern our lives after. There are two primary factors that can mold our lives: the people we constantly associate with and the kinds of books we continue to read after we graduate. They are the water and fertilizer that contribute greatly to our growth.
To all students and graduates everywhere, especially in my dear Philippines, if this writer can give you one piece of advice, it is this: Never choose your heroes or role models lightly!