Graduation Address

"Encaenia Address Ceremony B" (29 May 2008). (UA Case 67, Box 3)

Chancellor Currie, President McLaughlin, members of the faculty, board of governors, distinguished guests, graduates, families and friends.

It is with much pleasure that I participate in this ceremony today and enjoy the privilege of speaking to the graduates of the class of 2008. As a nurse, a UNB graduate and former faculty member, I am delighted to receive this recognition on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the faculty of nursing. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate current and past staff, and to acknowledge the faculty’s growth and achievements.

You, the graduates, today celebrate another milestone in your journey—one much bigger than those that have gone before—both traumatic ones, such as your first day of kindergarten, and those headier ones, such as getting your driver’s licence and graduating from high school. But today is different. Remember all those times when you wanted something or to do something and your parents said: "wait until you are an adult; or wait until you are on your own". Well, for many of you that day is here. And, if it is like mine was, it is wonderful; it is exciting—but it is a bit scary.

There are good reasons to be a bit scared—the world beyond this campus is going through some tough times. We face several global crises, both current and looming—not the least of which relate to energy, climate, pandemic influenza and a growing food shortage. On this very day 10, 000 people are dying of under-nutrition as will another 10, 000 each day of this year. Yet here in Canada we have the issue of obesity and increasing lifestyle related illnesses. One in three Ontario residents, for example, has at least one chronic disease. And, unless we make some drastic changes, your generation will follow suit.

My travels show me the impact of this and other crises; HIV being one example. Swaziland, the tiny kingdom many consider a bedroom community of South Africa, has an HIV rate of nearly 40%. Life expectancy is 32 years and there are nearly 70,000 AIDS orphans in this little kingdom.

Africa is a continent we are failing in many ways, but one from whose people I have learned much. And, indeed, they exemplify much of what I wish for you today. Against incredible odds, they exemplify hope, a faith in themselves and each other, and a deep sense of community.

You step from this platform today with choice, privilege and promise, and with the best wishes of faculty, family and friends who have taught, nurtured and supported you. They see in you, the Y generation, the most educated generation in history. You are equally known as the Net generation, the first to grow up immersed in a digital and Internet driven world.

We look at you and see a promising future.

1. Your generation has high expectations of yourselves and your employers. This bodes well for all of us, as does the fact that



2. You value ongoing learning, seek out creative challenges, and view colleagues as vast resources from whom to gain knowledge. You exemplify the strategy that every developed and developing country is pursuing—that of creating a value added, knowledge based, expert led economy.



3. You are goal oriented and want to make immediate impact (I suspect this reflects the net-led instant gratification syndrome).



4. You are not afraid to challenge the status quo and this I greatly admire.



5. You value family and want your jobs to accommodate family and personal lives.



6. You care about the environment. And,



7. For you, there is more to life than work.

The characteristics of your generation are indeed what are needed now. Some would call you brash. I think you need to be bold, audacious, and have many mavericks among you.

I also ask you to be analytical rather than cynical. The fact that you question the status quo is good. You need though to be reasoned and logical and offer plausible solutions. Being sceptical, suspicious, or scornful impedes relationships and progress. Working, as you will do, alongside colleagues more than twice your age will be a challenge. I have had terrific role models and some discouraging cynics in my work life. Be patient and have them learn from you as you learn from them.

I implore you to have a sense of community. Valuing personal achievement and family is not enough.

The next decade will see increasing globalisation, with emerging markets, such as China and India, taking a greater slice of the economy. We will see more products and services targeted at the ageing populations, and workforces become older and more female. The boundaries between different functions, organisations and even industries will blur. And, as automation increases, personal relationships will become more important. Collaboration and cross functional work, cross border work and inter-organisational partnerships will proliferate. The ability to communicate, to solve problems and to lead will be more important to organisations’ success than functional and technical capabilities.

This scenario fits you well. You leave today with an obligation to model what you have learned. Much of the world is struggling with chaos, but you are now equipped to handle much of what you will confront. These may be crazy times but they are also opportunistic ones. I won’t pretend life is easy. I believe, however, that your life experiences and your education have given you an edge – use it – for the future is not a gift, but an achievement.

I am sure each speaker is inclined to offer the advice of their experience. Mine is simple: I implore you to:

1. Keep an open mind;


2. Continue to learn;


3. Work at something you love,


4. Have faith in yourselves and each other,


5. Collaborate; and cultivate your community.


6. Aim high, have fun and heed this African proverb:

Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.

You are our tomorrow—I join all others here in wishing each of you a healthy and fulfilled future.