Graduation Address

"UNBSJ honours grads, prominent NBers" Telegraph-Journal (19 October 1996): 10. (UA Case 69, Box 3)

During her address, Mrs. Dystart referred to education as "a fine commodity."

"Your university education here at UNBSJ has offered you the chance to dream bigger dreams with the knowledge to support them, the conviction to sustain them, and the love to realize them," said Mrs. Dystart.

Knowledge matters, she said. It makes progress possible and so we must never stop asking questions.

But knowledge alone is not enough, according to Mrs. Dystart. Conviction guides knowledge and without direction our journey through life would be hampered.

Solitary journeys "are not much fun," advised Mrs. Dystart. "Hang onto one another, hang onto your families. Don’t forget. Don’t neglect one another. It’s a tough world out there."

Now, with their degrees in hand, the graduates face a bigger journey—the long road to the year 2046, their 50th class reunion.

"Do what you can in your personal life...to influence the larger political, social and economic forces, which impact on your lives.

"I hope you will go into your community and find some way to give back to others what you have enjoyed," she said.

"We are not diminished when we give of our time and money and ideas, we are enriched.

"You are very much needed and you will make a difference class of 1996."