What a beautiful way to conclude four years at New York's oldest and best college. What a beautiful day on which to do so.
Last month, at Prize Day, we announced the list of honors and prizes that are printed on the back of the Commencement program; today we recognize again all the winners and invite them, the rest of you, and your family members to join together at the divisional receptions immediately following the ceremony, for they are a wonderful way for faculty and students to say goodbye.
I want to thank once again the Commencement Committee (and in particular, Ruth Stevenson, our marshal), the entire Facilities and Dining Services staffs (and Mother Nature) and the rest of you whose efforts over the past weeks have contributed to the success of this program. I also want to thank everyone who has worked with me over the past 15 years to make Union ever better. No one appreciates your efforts more than I do; no one recognizes your contributions more than I do, either. We have had a great run, and I have tremendously enjoyed our time together!
I would like now to invite the parents of today's graduates to stand for a well-deserved round of applause from their daughters and sons. I also would like you now to join with me in applauding the members of the faculty and staff for their efforts over the past four years in preparing the Class of 2005 for what lies ahead. And I want to ask you in particular to join me in thanking Professor George Smith and Dean Robert Balmer, who will now be retiring, for their years of service to Union and to thousands upon thousands of students.
During Commencement for the past 15 years at Union, I have ended each ceremony, as already noted, with the same words. And I look out at the class and reflect on what our newest graduates are dreaming about (other, of course, than when we will be done). Well, we are almost done.
On those occasions, on this occasion, I think about who will be president, secretary of state, governor or senator or congressman, Olympic gold medalist, Academy Award winner, National Book Award author, or Nobel Prize winner. Union has produced them all, and there is no reason why you cannot or will not attain that level of success. Just do it the right way! And the right way is, I believe, to fill your lives with passion, accountability, compassion, and truthfulness.
As I said, I end each commencement with the same words. Try as I might, I cannot improve upon them. They summarize – in one sentence – what I fervently believe. So, for the last time at Union, let me close with those words. Make a difference: Do well and do good.
Congratulations and good luck!