2002 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony A
Graduation Address
Delivered by: King, Angus S., Jr.
Content
"A time for goodbyes; 679 graduate from UNB in first spring convocation – Ceremony A" Daily Gleaner (23 May 2002). (UA Case 6
King said he wanted to use his minutes on the podium to tell the graduates things he wished someone had told him when he was 25 years old. He offered 11 pieces of advice, ranging from simple tips—such as carrying a $20 bill tucked on your person at all times—to words of wisdom about the value of remaining honest, taking chances and treating every job as if it was the most important that one would ever have.
King also didn’t miss out on the chance to tease his New Brunswick audience. References to the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and the low Canadian dollar peppered his speech.
"By the way, do you know the definition of a Canadian?" King asked the audience. "A Canadian is an unarmed North American, with health insurance."
King also cautioned students not to delay taking advantage of opportunities available to them.
He told the audience the story of a preacher who refused help during a flood, and instead stuck to the belief that God would save him. The preacher refused the help of two boaters and a helicopter that extended its rope to him during the flood, King said.
When the priest got to heaven and asked why his prayers hadn’t been answered, the reply from St. Peter was: "What do you mean, 'What happened?' We sent two boats and a helicopter," King told the audience to a round of laughter.
"So forget everything else I said. Here is the message: grab the rope...and the rope is right here in Fredericton. The rope is here in New Brunswick, the rope is wherever you are. Do not wait for somebody to give it to you."
King said he wanted to use his minutes on the podium to tell the graduates things he wished someone had told him when he was 25 years old. He offered 11 pieces of advice, ranging from simple tips—such as carrying a $20 bill tucked on your person at all times—to words of wisdom about the value of remaining honest, taking chances and treating every job as if it was the most important that one would ever have.
King also didn’t miss out on the chance to tease his New Brunswick audience. References to the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and the low Canadian dollar peppered his speech.
"By the way, do you know the definition of a Canadian?" King asked the audience. "A Canadian is an unarmed North American, with health insurance."
King also cautioned students not to delay taking advantage of opportunities available to them.
He told the audience the story of a preacher who refused help during a flood, and instead stuck to the belief that God would save him. The preacher refused the help of two boaters and a helicopter that extended its rope to him during the flood, King said.
When the priest got to heaven and asked why his prayers hadn’t been answered, the reply from St. Peter was: "What do you mean, 'What happened?' We sent two boats and a helicopter," King told the audience to a round of laughter.
"So forget everything else I said. Here is the message: grab the rope...and the rope is right here in Fredericton. The rope is here in New Brunswick, the rope is wherever you are. Do not wait for somebody to give it to you."
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