Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., President

Chairman Bready, Provost de Abruna, platform party, families, friends and the class of 2009 – or as some of you call it, Survivor Bristol – Congratulations!

This is the largest graduating class in Roger Williams history, and it is hard to believe that you are graduating.

For some of you – it’s really hard to believe that you are graduating, and for a few I ask, didn’t you graduate last year?  

This is your day, but few of you would be here without supportive parents, guardians and grandparents.  Many funded your education, took your late night phone calls, taught you how to do laundry and loved you – even when you drove them crazy – and trust me – I’m a parent, you did!

So today is about them as well, and they deserve a big round of applause.

This is also a special day for Courtney Cooney because it’s her birthday.  She has a twin Cassie who is bummed out because she has to be here instead of having a party.  So, Cassie, consider this a party for you.

This is a happy occasion – a joyous one – so do not expect my remarks to be about the economy, the war in Afghanistan or your job prospects.  

In your lifetime the economy will get better and worse – there will be conflicts – and you will have many jobs – which is better than none.   Some friends will abandon you in a time of need.  You will find comfort in the kindness of strangers.  Nietzsche was right.  Tomorrow the sun rises in the east – sets in the west.  It always does.  That’s it for profound.

You came, and are leaving, during a time of growth – with new faculty and staff – new majors – study abroad programs – increased visibility and reputation, but also during a time of noise, dirt, cranes, steam shovels, blasting caps and so much more.  

So today all of you graduate with a degree in your discipline – business, biology, architecture and the rest – even two philosophy majors.  But you’ll also get an additional degree – at no extra charge – in construction management – because you have managed to deal with a record amount of construction.  

A new dining commons completed – with food you can actually identify – and eat; The old dining hall – aka the NAB – gone, and a new global classroom building nearing completion; The expansion of architecture – the green – improvements to the library – the entrance – the critically acclaimed fountains – and yes, a parking deck and more parking than anyone could imagine – okay – I guess you could imagine more.

But what’s more important than construction and the complex edifices we have built is the complex and important place we have become – and all of you played a role in that.  Like the multiple degrees I am awarding – so many of you had multiple personas – in the best sense of the word.

Alicia Merschen-Perez was not only student body president and an honors graduate, but a Health Advocate and a member of the dance club; Heather Klink co-taught a freshman seminar, was in three honors societies and worked to rescue Kareem Amer, an imprisoned blogger from Egypt; Michael Greenwald started college in Colorado, served in Iraq and led Hillel at RWU.

Sarah Dallon was an admissions assistant while leading Rock The Vote and the ONE campaign and seemed to be everywhere. Chris Amrich, double major, presented research on the evolution of tail fiber genes in marine cyanophages at an international meeting, and is off on a Ph.D. fellowship to the University of Pittsburgh.

And theatre major, Mandie Hittleman, who was, at last count, 18 different people at RWU, including a woman of Lockerbie and Audrey, a girl devoured by a people eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors.

These students embody love of learning, student research, civic engagement and a global perspective, and the list includes so many of you that I could go on and on, but I promised your parents that you would take them out to dinner. 

Over these past several weeks you had academic awards ceremonies, and the chance to be with and acknowledge our many fine faculty.  But, as Mark Twain said – never let your schooling interfere with your education.

Each of you have had educators outside the classroom like Joan Romano in Arts and Sciences, or Nick in the mailroom, the guys in Facilities, Jon Small (the proud father of an RWU grad today), Alice in Dining, Kate Tobin in Public Safety, Allison Chase-Padula or Gordon Wood, whose stage crew, Toohey, JC and the rest graduate today.
 
These people were your teachers as well, so make sure to thank them and the countless others who are Roger Williams University; Roger Williams—RWU, ARWOO, RDUBS, or The Raj, whatever you call it.

You will take away countless memories from your classmates, teammates, study partners, gfs, bfs and bffs.  And of course, the seenyahs.

Ah… Memories. (Slideshow)

Some of you saw Pyramids (SLIDE)

Others actually built a Pyramid (SLIDE)

Some of you went abroad and studied art and architecture in Florence (SLIDE) or the timetable for Ryan Air

You saw theater in London (SLIDE)

Or went to Australia – to study whatever they study in Australia (SLIDE)

Some will remember the PEP band, STAND, Mock Trial, Model UN ultimate frisbee; the great sailors and lacrosse players and the women’s champion rugby team; CEN, OAR and of course, my personal favorite – Ludacris. 

You heard intellectual heavyweights like David Gergen, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Christopher Hitchens, or were interviewed by Lorin Richardson on the FEED, sat in Senate, worked on CEN events with Jackie Calovine or hung out with Adam in the architecture studio or listened to him play the piano with ambidexterity. You grew Nemo, beat the Stock Market, appeared on PBS, constructed concrete canoes, designed sustainable buildings and so much more.

But you were also a community, so I hope the class of 2009 shares some common memories:

Fine dining in Bristol (SLIDE)

Emails from Vice President John King (SLIDE)

And – when mom and dad were not there and your friends had abandoned you – you were never truly lost, because there was always someone you could count on (SLIDE) – the smiling face of Linda Clark – Attorney at Law.

So many fond memories of RWU. 

Perhaps, I should leave you with one more.

When a president does something once – it’s an event.  Twice — it’s a tradition.  A tradition was started several years ago when I accidentally sang at Commencement.  I am very sorry I did.  I want to let you in on a secret – singing is not one of my strong suits. 

Each year, I struggle to find an appropriate artist and tune – Eminem, Christina Aguilera, Pink, the girl who did the theme song from the Hills.  This year was tough.   

I know that Retro is big with your generation so I thought maybe Pink Floyd –

“We don’t need no education, We don’t need no thought control, no dark sarcasm in the classroom, teachers leave them kids alone!”  But I am not sure that would be appropriate.

Then I heard there was a song by Asher Roth called I Love College – and I thought what better anthem than that – until I heard the lyrics.

In the words of Amy Winehouse – “NO, NO, NO.”

So I couldn’t come up with a song.  I hope you will forgive me – but no song this year.

(okay)

In a few minutes you will walk across this stage. I will shake your hand and give you your diploma.  Remember, life will always have its ups and downs – and at times, you will be impatient, but don’t worry.  Life is a journey, not a destination, and in the words of an American Idol, you need to take it – one step at a time –

Hit it!

DA DA DA UM DA DA
DA DA DA BA UM DA DA
DA DA DA UM DA DA
DA DA DA BA UM DA DA
 
HURRY UP AND WAIT
SO CLOSE, BUT SO FAR AWAY
EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALWAYS DREAMED OF
CLOSE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO TASTE
BUT YOU JUST CAN'T TOUCH
 
YOU WANNA SHOW THE WORLD
BUT NO ONE KNOWS YOUR NAME YET
WONDERIN' WHEN, WHERE AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT
YOU KNOW YOU CAN IF YOU GET THE CHANCE
IN YOUR FACE AND THE DOOR KEEPS SLAMMING
NOW YOU'RE FEELING MORE AND MORE FRUSTRATED
AND YOU’RE GETTING ALL KINDA IMPATIENT
WAITING, WE LIVE AND WE LEARN
 
CHORUS

TO TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
THERE'S NO NEED TO RUSH
IT'S LIKE LEARNING TO FLY, OR FALLING IN LOVE
IT'S GONNA HAPPEN WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN
AND WE FIND THE REASONS WHY
ONE STEP AT A TIME  

REPEAT CHORUS

So as you take a giant step today, thank the people who helped you get here.  Hug your friends and family.  Give high fives to strangers – Use Purell!

Move on – with confidence and a smile, and maybe, a little tear – to the next chapter in your life. 

Stop to smell the roses – but please do not pick them.

And, in the words of the late Warren Zevon – Keep us in your hearts for a while, and make sure to enjoy every sandwich.

Congratulations to the class of 2009!