Valedictory Address

“Valedictorian Speech Ceremony A” (22 May 1996): 1-6. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Your honor, Mr. Chancellor, Mr. President, distinguished members of the platform party, faculty, parents, relatives, friends and fellow graduates.

Good afternoon. It is a great honour for me to be here today to represent the grad class of 1996.

On this day, May 22, 1996, as we exchange our title from student to that of graduate, we can say that this is our special day. We (graduates) all have something in common: We are being acknowledged for our accomplishments at The University of New Brunswick.

But where were we before we entered the gates to “the hill?” Some of us came directly from high school, others returned after being in the work force, some transferred from other universities. Some even came from other countries. For some, Fredericton has been a city, for others a small town. Some of us came with expectations, others just came.

But no matter why we came or where we came from, we can all remember when we first arrived at UNB. We cannot forget lining at the Aitken Centre for hours, then cashing in the rest of our student loans at the Bookstore. After getting a student ID, we were ready to experience life at UNB. For all of you residence folks, I know it’s difficult to say farewell to Beaver Foods, but it’ll get easier. For those who chose off-campus living, I’m sure you’ll miss your roommates, but you can keep in touch. How about that $55.00 parking permit and then we still had to park at Chapman Field. Movies, we’ve all given many loonies to MacLaggan Hall and we must not forget Capital Film every Monday. We’ll all miss the Red Room, whether to study or just to nap. We won’t forget to The Social Club and Last Class Bash, although I realize for some that may be difficult to remember.

We may have had different backgrounds, different life experiences and different goals when we arrived, but through time we are all leaving with a lot in common. What’s so exciting about all of this, is that because we are all so different but yet so alike, we have not only learned and benefitted from UNB, but UNB has learned and benefitted from each of us as well. This university has been a place to build relationships and establish friendships that will last a lifetime. Look around you, at this great sense of community.

I would like to acknowledge the Bruns as it kept us accurately informed weekly. And we can’t forget Campus Police and all the other Student Services that helped us through. Thank you to our Profs for bringing your wealth of knowledge to life in the classroom. You showed us by your example what dedication is, our interests were aroused in the subjects you taught and you expressed concern for our well-being.

Through all the times we have experienced, whether in class, taking part in Varsity Mania or pulling an all-nighter, hoping at least to pass the exam, there has and continues to be a real sense of spirit and support at The University of New Brunswick.

I’ve also learned that an education is not about filling in the blanks or memorizing equations; it’s about growing as individuals, building character and developing a greater sense of self. Let me give you an example. Four years ago, when I graduated from High School, I would never have had the confidence and motivation to be a valedictorian; I would never have been able and ready to take such a risk. This poem by an anonymous author best conveys what I’d like to say about taking risks.

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach our for another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams, before the crowd, is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard of life
Is to risk nothing
You may avoid suffering and sorrow, but you simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live, chained by this certitude.
You are a slave, you have forfeited freedom, for only a person who risks is free.

Standing before you today is a risk and it feels good. We can do anything we want, if we want it bad enough. I firmly believe this, and this belief was taught to me by individuals who believed in me, my parents. To all of you parents, family and friends who sit here today, we love you and would like to say Thank you.

The English Writer James Allen could have been describing us today when he wrote: “Today we are where our thoughts have taken us, and we are the architects---for better or worse---of our futures.” Through hard work and determination we have directed ourselves to our accomplishments here today. It will be up to us to use our new knowledge and skills that we take with us to develop the future that awaits us.

Some people label us generation X; I call us men and women of the 90’s; architects of the 21 century. As the 21st century awaits us, our generation will tackle important issues head on, such as the stability and unity of Canada, world population and international competitiveness. Fellow graduates, we won’t be able to solve all these problems, but we will be able to make a difference. In the face of environmental concerns, economic troubles and political corruption, the strength of our spirit will help us to accept and strive for change and social justice.

Whether we continue our educations, begin to work, or choose to travel, we should remember to constantly be doing things which add quality and beauty to life. My goal every day when I wake up is to try and see the sacred in the ordinary. The world is a reflection of ourselves; we are what we believe we are.

Each of us has the power to form our own character and create our own happiness. I would like to share another poem, Comes The Dawn, written anonymously.

After awhile you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn love doesn’t mean leaning,
And company doesn’t mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises
And you begin to accept your own defeats
And you learn to build your own roads on today, because tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans, and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight
After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers you learn you really can endure that you really are strong and you really do have worth and you learn and learn with every ‘farewell’ you learn.

And with that I would like to say Congratulations Fellow Graduates and Farewell---until we meet again. Thank you UNB, you will always be a part of us, and Thank you all!