John McConnell `82, who serves in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Speechwriter to the President and Vice President, delivered the Commencement Address for Wayland's 153rd graduating class.
With Lindsay Gym filled to capacity, John told the audience and the soon-to-be alums that he has four hopes for the Class of 2008, which are summed up here:
\"First: I hope you'll stay in the habit of learning that you've developed at Wayland Academy. You know how to communicate, how to make your case, and how to solve problems.. I can still remember our senior English teacher Mr. John Patterson, asking us a thought question about Hamlet. We were stumped and silent, and started flipping through our books in search of help. Mr. Patterson said, 'The answer is not on the page, it's in your head. Don't be afraid to think!'
\"Second: My second hope is that you'll keep working on the character part too. We all need to do that. In his new memoir, Justice Clarence Thomas tells of growing up in his grandfather's house. The old man was a very tough-minded fellow, and he warned his grandson that every small compromise of character would put him on a slippery slope. Here's how he put it: 'If you lie, you'll steal. If you steal, you'll cheat. If you cheat, you'll kill.'
That's a pretty stern way of saying it. But the truth is that nobody has to go down that road. You can decide right now that you won't make the little compromises of character. Decide right now that you'll always be a person of integrity, responsibility, loyalty, and reverence.
\"Third: Always look for good advisors. When you've got a decision to make, instead of facing it in solitude and staring at the ceiling, go to the people you respect and talk to them. Pick their brains and ask them to help you think through the issue. It's a good habit to ask questions of people who've had many experiences in life. There's plenty of good advice out there. Look for it - and start with the people you love.
\"Fourth: I hope that wherever you go, whatever you choose to do, you'll follow your heart. I've met so many of the graduates and underclassmen over the last couple of days and it's been a great experience. Each one of you has amazing gifts. The Bible says you have them for a reason, and that you should use them. I hope you'll find what interests you, and then go out and do it. At this stage, maybe you're not really sure what you want to do. That's all right too. You've got time. There might even come a point when you'd like to pray about your future, but you're confused and you don't even know what to ask for. Here's what to do then: Put your faith in God and pray for direction. I can almost guarantee you'll receive it.\"
Note: I figure that the Speaker was giving the speech to us, therefore it is ours to give to others."
With Lindsay Gym filled to capacity, John told the audience and the soon-to-be alums that he has four hopes for the Class of 2008, which are summed up here:
\"First: I hope you'll stay in the habit of learning that you've developed at Wayland Academy. You know how to communicate, how to make your case, and how to solve problems.. I can still remember our senior English teacher Mr. John Patterson, asking us a thought question about Hamlet. We were stumped and silent, and started flipping through our books in search of help. Mr. Patterson said, 'The answer is not on the page, it's in your head. Don't be afraid to think!'
\"Second: My second hope is that you'll keep working on the character part too. We all need to do that. In his new memoir, Justice Clarence Thomas tells of growing up in his grandfather's house. The old man was a very tough-minded fellow, and he warned his grandson that every small compromise of character would put him on a slippery slope. Here's how he put it: 'If you lie, you'll steal. If you steal, you'll cheat. If you cheat, you'll kill.'
That's a pretty stern way of saying it. But the truth is that nobody has to go down that road. You can decide right now that you won't make the little compromises of character. Decide right now that you'll always be a person of integrity, responsibility, loyalty, and reverence.
\"Third: Always look for good advisors. When you've got a decision to make, instead of facing it in solitude and staring at the ceiling, go to the people you respect and talk to them. Pick their brains and ask them to help you think through the issue. It's a good habit to ask questions of people who've had many experiences in life. There's plenty of good advice out there. Look for it - and start with the people you love.
\"Fourth: I hope that wherever you go, whatever you choose to do, you'll follow your heart. I've met so many of the graduates and underclassmen over the last couple of days and it's been a great experience. Each one of you has amazing gifts. The Bible says you have them for a reason, and that you should use them. I hope you'll find what interests you, and then go out and do it. At this stage, maybe you're not really sure what you want to do. That's all right too. You've got time. There might even come a point when you'd like to pray about your future, but you're confused and you don't even know what to ask for. Here's what to do then: Put your faith in God and pray for direction. I can almost guarantee you'll receive it.\"
Note: I figure that the Speaker was giving the speech to us, therefore it is ours to give to others."
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