Brian Lindenberg of Avon, Conn., gave the student address at the Union College Commencement on June 12.
Student commencement speakers are chosen annually by a committee chaired by the dean of faculty. Juniors and seniors on the committee seek submissions from the student body, hold auditions for finalists, then select the speaker based on speech content and delivery.
A 2001 graduate of Avon High School, Lindenberg is the son of Robert and Andrea Lindenberg. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and geology.
Following Commencement, he plans to work in the finance field or for an energy company and eventually pursue a master's degree in business administration.
At Union, Lindenberg was vice president of finance for the Student Forum, Union's student government body. Lindenberg also participated in the Economics Club, Geology Club, Entrepreneurship Club and Junior Achievement.
He is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon (the Economics Honor Society) and last was accepted as a member of the Delphic Honor Society in May at the College's Prize Day. The Delphic Honor Society is awarded to eight juniors and eight seniors every year for their service to the school.
His address to the student body focused on “Achieving Success Together.”
Following is the complete text of the student address:
I have a lot of “Why's?” to ask. Why did you come to Union? Why did you decide to major in English, geology, economics, philosophy, or civil engineering? Why did you become a member of the Swim Team? Why did you take Professor Berk's Holocaust class? Why did you join Tri-Delt? Why did you decide to run around the Nott naked at 2 in the morning? But most importantly, why are we here today? Why are our parents, family members, professors, administrators, alumni, and friends here today? Why is today special?
There are many answers to these questions, and today is special for each of us, for many reasons. Today we make history as we mark the 211th graduating class from Union College set to embark on a new chapter in our lives.
Together we can accomplish much more than by working alone. Together we can achieve. We must always remember that we usually do not accomplish greatness working alone. At some point, we need to come together with others collaboratively. President Hull has not worked alone. He has worked together with not only faculty, administrators, and students, but also with individuals from all walks of life in the city of Schenectady. He has been doing this for 15 years, and I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of our class to you, President Hull, for your leadership, service, and dedication to Union College. We wish you all the best as you embark on the next phase of your life and as you continue to bring people together.
Together, we share ideas and push the envelope of invention, thought, and explanation to expand our minds in ways we never thought possible. Sadly, at times, what we never thought possible was possible. Together we can achieve and unfortunately together we can destroy. Together, we witnessed the death of more than 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001. We were here at Union only 13 days after our Freshmen Orientation when this tragedy occurred. We hardly knew one another. Many of us probably recall this day as the most unforgettable day at Union.Together we experienced misfortune and together we coped. Why stop now after June 12, 2005, when we will soon expand our endless possibilities? Our destinations may physically keep us apart, but the bonds we forged at Union will inevitably draw us back together again. It is this union of Unions that makes graduating from this institution a gift and a reward.
In a few moments, we will be accepting our degrees. Traditionally, Dean Sorum would read our names. I did not know her, but I wish I had. As a tribute to her memory since her passing a few weeks ago, I learned how much Union meant to her and how much she gave back to this college. When our names are called today, let us receive our degrees with the joy she would have had in reciting our names. The degrees we receive today are not only what Union is giving us today, but it reminds us of what we gave to Union during our time here.
Giving back to our community, and especially to Union, is something that is often spoken about at graduations. But this can only be accomplished when working together. For those of us who have the passion … may we inspire others to join our collaborative effort in bettering the world. So why are we here today? Is this the pinnacle of our success, or is this just the commencement of greater things to come?
Let's face it: we accomplished a lot together while we were at Union! We took our freshmen preceptorial class, and the required two-course history sequence. We knew which professors to take to get by, how to plan our schedules so we could have Tuesdays and Thursdays off and still not start class before noon! And let us not forget some of the more traditional accomplishments while at Union, such as pledging TDChi, and successfully drinking beer at every fraternity on campus during Campus Crawl. The bottom line, we knew what we had to do to get to Union and graduate. Now we will embark on life's experiences where there are no formal tests except for those that we create for ourselves. There are no formal requirements except for those that are created by the choices we make.
Fellow classmates, friends: leave here today and follow your passion. Find something you love and do it well. Together, as Union alumni, we should take the gift of our education and give back to society the gifts of knowledge, service, leadership, and compassion.
As we come together at this graduation, listen to what a great American industrialist had to say 100 years ago: Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
As we leave Union, let us continue what we began here and work together to define our success. Congratulations, Class of 2005. Good luck and Godspeed.