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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
May 12, 2007 Commencement Address Presented by William A. Gollnick, chief of staff, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin
Chancellor Shepard, Honored Regents, Distinguished Faculty, Parents, Friends and Graduates:
I am delighted to join you this day to acknowledge and honor this graduating class of 2007. Graduates, I applaud your accomplishments and am extremely honored to be invited to address you on this, one of the most significant days of your lives!
This is an exciting year for the University. The UWGB women went to the big dance...Congratulations Lady Phoenix. The University was smiled upon by the Regents. UWGB will be growing to better address the legitimate needs of this region. And, now you are graduating. Is this great or what?
Every generation stands on the shoulders of those who came before. This is a global statement. But, today I encourage you to reflect not on historical icons who caused the cultural or economic world to move, but particularly on this day to consider the broad shoulders of those in your families. Your grandparents, parents, and other relatives who helped shape and mold the successful persons now seated before me. Through guidance, support, encouragement, and serious spending money your family has made it possible for you to experience this day. Acknowledge their love and dedication. Acknowledge the foundation that they provided. Acknowledge that they revel with you.
I divide my comments today into three broad categories. What was...what is...what may be. Also, you have heard throughout your lives about common sense. I will offer some thoughts in that regard as well.
Each generation has its own common sense — ideas beliefs, understandings that are common to the people of the day, but often build from an earlier generation's experience. Each generation shares that common sense with the ones who follow. Now, although there is often a chasm between what one considers common sense and what is taught in college, there are some points of connection.
What was.
After the First World War, my grandfather got a factory job. In my childhood he encouraged me to do likewise when I had grown: honest wages, security, pension, retirement. It was common sense.
After the Second World War, my father worked in a factory until he died. He and my mother believed that I would attend college one day. My parents were high school graduates who saw the future; America was moving toward meritocratic values, and they had wanted me to have options...to be prepared for the coming changes. In their time, that was uncommon sense. The norm for successful middle class status still required only high school preparation and most of my family was "no-collar" let alone blue collar.
During the Viet Nam War I enlisted in the Marine Corps. Some might argue that defied common sense, but on both sides of my family there were long traditions of military service and among my many considerations was recognition that should I survive, I could attend college on the GI Bill.
My parents' vision of meritocratic shifts in opportunity was realized. The doors to postsecondary education opened to non-traditional students, and college as an opportunity only for the wealthy waned. America was recognizing that in a competitive world we need our best and brightest, and our best and brightest come in all sizes, genders, and colors. It's common sense.
What is.
John Mason Brown observed that there exists an "...American myth that people who are handed the skin of a dead sheep at graduation time think that it will keep their minds alive forever." You, class of 2007, have chosen wisely in your selection of UWGB. It has been well documented that a liberal arts education is perhaps the best foundation in a changing world. For you have learned not only "stuff," of perhaps greater importance you have learned how to learn. You are prepared to make the transitions and adjustments that you will be called upon to make in your professional lives. You will use the valuable lessons of research, adaptability, diversity, and communication skills to reassess your goals and pursue new opportunities.
On this day of your graduation, I reflect on Dickens' famous "...best of times... worst of times," and share with you an old Chinese curse that says, "May you live in interesting times." We are now more than four years into an increasingly unpopular war. We have moved from a budget surplus to a multi-trillion dollar deficit. Challenges abound over the Greying of America, and global warming presents numerous threats. At the same time, the Dow Jones Industrials have continued to raise the bar. Unemployment is at near-record lows. Environmental awareness has never been higher. We are in a time — like all times — where there are threats and opportunities. With the engagement of people like you, there is hope. In a thirty year period, the Oneida Nation transitioned from 55% unemployment and no economy to become the third largest regional employer. America transitioned from the Wright brothers to a man on the moon in sixty years. As college graduates you enter an exciting time full of challenges and opportunities where you can make a difference. With a vision all things are possible!
What the future holds.
The changes in your lives may or may not be of your choosing, but for the vast majority of you, change will be inevitable. In my generation a new graduate could expect to change positions/careers up to three times. For you, it could exceed seven. In a rapidly changing world with daily technological advancements, jobs will develop, evolve and disappear with increasing rapidity. My grandfather's common sense is not applicable today. My parents' uncommon sense is now foundational. My common sense tells me that you must be prepared to embrace change.
Having now completed a course of study that prepares you for your next steps, in the immediate, these might include graduate school, the world of work, travel or other options. You may be motivated to continue on at full speed or take some time to smell the roses. For all of you, however, there will be a next step — a career choice — a motivating vision that calls upon you to set a course.
To be successful requires dedication, a competitive spirit, commitment, and perseverance. It also requires cooperation, interpersonal skills, and team-building. Remember that your success will often be impacted by those with whom you work. Cultivate a goal-oriented philosophy, a team-based work ethic, and an outcome-driven fixity to purpose.
In the world beyond academe, businesses and governments engage daily in goal setting. They ideally pursue their directions through well thought-out mission, vision and goals statements. As students, obviously your planning focused very directly on the activities of this day. Now you are no longer students...so what are your new directions? This is a meaningful time to reflect on how you, new graduates, answer these questions for yourselves:
• What is your mission...your reason for being...that which you desire most?
• What is your vision? How do you see your future, your life, your career, your family?
• What are your goals? By what measuring stick will you know if you are making progress? By what standard will you know that you are moving in the right direction?
If you can answer these questions and commit to continuous improvement and assessment, you will succeed, just as you demonstrate your capacity for success today. The term "commencement" does not acknowledge your accomplishments, it means "to begin." Today you start your lives as college graduates. You today join the ranks of those who can proudly proclaim the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as your Alma Mater. As you go forward, you represent yourself and the fine education that you have received here. Make yourselves proud. Make us all proud.
Carpe Diem
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