Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., President

First of all, congratulations the Class of 2008!
 
We have over 1000 graduates, and I especially want to acknowledge our men and women who serve in the military graduating today and the students who join us from dozens of countries around the world.

Let me take a moment to thank everyone at the University, from Dining, Facilities and Public Safety to Enrollment, Academic and Student Affairs, for making today happen.

This is a special day for you as graduates and a special day for your families. I want to acknowledge them today by invoking the power of the Presidency.

So, all you fathers and mothers, grandparents and step parents, sisters, brothers, guardians, people from Bristol who just wandered into the tent, GF’s, BF’s and even BFF’s, today you are all honorary alumni of Roger Williams University, with all the attendant perks and responsibilities.

Congratulations.

This also means that on Tuesday, you’ll be getting a call from the alumni office - so please be generous.

I had the privilege of welcoming many of you - four years ago, five years ago, or for some a little bit earlier - in this very tent as you arrived as freshmen. The tent hasn't changed, but you have.
You have grown, matured, made mistakes, didn't repeat them - but made new ones, learned lots, and are prepared to move on to the next chapter of your life.

Prepared, although perhaps a little ambivalent.

For me, it’s a bit unsettling as to how quickly time passes. Dean Potter of the School of Engineering told me last week that his daughter – Kendall – is graduating today. I promised not to mention Kendall and embarrass her – which I believe I just did.

And I said, "It seems like she just got here Bob."

That must be how it feels for many of you. You just got here. And for others, it may seem like you've been here forever.

This is my seventh graduation at Roger Williams and, unlike bigger schools, I get to shake the hand of every graduate that comes across the stage - and get hugged by a few - and it’s sometimes emotional.

"I can’t believe you’re graduating," I say to some. To others I say, "I can’t believe you are actually graduating" and to others, "Didn’t you graduate last year?"

But I say all of that with affection, because this has been a very good and important class, and I don’t say that to every class.

The University has certainly changed in your time here – we hired a record number of great teachers to complement the great teachers already here. We added new academic programs, built the Rec Center, improved the Library, added the Dining Commons – not to mention sushi and better food. We created new opportunities for study abroad, service learning and new degree programs, and we became a top tier school in the Northeast.

We’ve changed.

And you have changed us - for the better.

Some of you, like Adrianne LaFrance, won a Fulbright award - one of the most prestigious academic achievements possible.

Others, like Chelsie FitzSimons-Diaz and Meg Gardner, reminded us of the importance of sustainability and, when I signed the presidential climate commitment to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet, it was a testament to their commitment.

Students like Danny Ruth and Chereva McClellan helped us become a campus that’s more inclusive and that celebrates diversity.

Organizations like STAND brought the crisis of Darfur into our consciousness and Devon McCormick, and the other wonderful young women in Adam Braver’s class, made it personal – as they worked to free writers like Dolma Kyab in Tibet and bloggers like Kareem Amer in Egypt, imprisoned for their thoughts and ideas.

And students like Becky Bowman, inspired us all with her triumph out of personal tragedy.
There were other campus leaders who also made life more fun at Roger Williams - Nikki Lombardi, a leader in CEN and involved in every aspect of campus life, is heading off to grad school in Mississippi, Jordan Viola and Eric Rollo, Head RA in Bayside (what’s better than that), Mike Zarbo, who worked with Gordon to set up every event on campus - including this one, and a special shout out to Mattie DiGiacomo, who worked his way through school serving at functions at the University residence. He managed a portfolio in the Business School, played rugby, and is typical of students at Roger Williams - hard working, involved, fun and achievers. The list goes on and on, and I am proud of all of you.

As a class, you traveled further and more often than any class in RWU history. Some of you studied art and architecture in Florence, or theater in London or marine ecology in Central America. Some of you went to Australia - to study - whatever they study in Australia?

And some ventured into other places closer to home - yet still exotic, like: The Bean, Gillary’s and Topside - where I understand the wings now set you back twenty-five cents.

But wherever you went, there was always a friendly beacon or two to guide you home down Metacom Avenue - the Eskimo King, the university clock tower, and yes, the smiling face of Linda Clark - Attorney at Law.

During your time, the University got bigger and better and in many ways, came of age and, two years ago, turned 50.

Hopefully, you’ve had your own coming of age and you leave here with a smile on your face – inspired to learn more - do more - be kind to others - have an impact on your family, your friends, your community, your country and your world.

In the past, it has become a tradition of sorts - referred to in the Providence Journal as one of the more incongruous moments in higher education - where I sing to the graduating class, or attempt to, but I can't this year, because I am too troubled by world events - the Middle East, China, blue states/red states and, of course, the feud between Lauren and Heidi on the Hills - because if those two can’t get along, what are the prospects for the rest of the planet?

No singing this year - no song - I hope you’re not disappointed.

Okay, since you insist. But first, while your time is done at Roger Williams, there are still blank pages left for you to write in your life’s story - and, remember, only you can see what you see, hear what you hear and, if it rains... only you can feel the rain on your skin.

Hit it.

UNWRITTEN
"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find.
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"

Thank you!

I expect great things from some of you – and good things from all of you. Thank your parents, loved ones and teachers on the way out - have fun, be safe, and in the words of the late Warren Zevon - make sure to enjoy every sandwich.

Congratulations, Class of 2008!