1985 Fredericton Encaenia
Graduation Address
Delivered by: Davison, Fred C.
Content
"University of Georgia President Tells Grads 'Strive For Excellence'" Daily Gleaner (24 May 1985). (UA Case 67, Box 2)
University of Georgia president Fred C. Davison told the 1985 UNB graduating class to strive for excellence as they face the choices and decisions of the future.
Dr. Davison is at UNB as part of the celebration of the bicentennials observed by the University of New Brunswick and the University of Georgia this year. Dr. Davison received an honorary degree and delivered the graduation address.
The world is moving across a threshold of fundamental change. Dr. Davison said the coming age will require the well-honed talents of each graduate in their every endeavor.
There are two basic elements which effect the future. Dr. Davison identified the exhausted world supply of petroleum and other natural resources as well as the growing world population as affecting every person’s future.
He predicted that by the end of the century it will be necessary to find "very big and very important answers" that will shape the quality of life on earth. He said this is the most important challenge for man in history and it will present unparalleled opportunity and will require excellence of performance.
He reminded students that excellence is not an abstract term but rather a result of performance; measured against others and against ourselves. "If we do not expect much of ourselves we will not achieve much. We must declare excellence as our goal," he said.
He suggested several tools to aid the graduate in the pursuit of excellence.
Self-discipline is an important tool in learning and Dr. Davison said continuing to learn is every graduate’s responsibility. High performance is important and Dr. Davison said the only road to high performance is through high standards.
He suggested graduates be curious, explore, question and to always be perceptive to the unexpected. Keeping an ordered mind that is not cluttered is another tool important in the pursuit of excellence.
Graduates should expose themselves to other bright people. "be discriminating. Find someone better than you to associate with," he said. Finally, Dr. Davison told the graduates to declare their freedom from fear of risk. "Remember that there is no failsafe society and no progress without risk."
He told graduates they have a task as educated citizens to sort out and make good choices and that they must not let small things stand in the way of high performance. "The approaching age will require the best of every person. I am confident you will master the challenges and opportunities of the coming age. We have the opportunity to write history’s brightest chapter."
University of Georgia president Fred C. Davison told the 1985 UNB graduating class to strive for excellence as they face the choices and decisions of the future.
Dr. Davison is at UNB as part of the celebration of the bicentennials observed by the University of New Brunswick and the University of Georgia this year. Dr. Davison received an honorary degree and delivered the graduation address.
The world is moving across a threshold of fundamental change. Dr. Davison said the coming age will require the well-honed talents of each graduate in their every endeavor.
There are two basic elements which effect the future. Dr. Davison identified the exhausted world supply of petroleum and other natural resources as well as the growing world population as affecting every person’s future.
He predicted that by the end of the century it will be necessary to find "very big and very important answers" that will shape the quality of life on earth. He said this is the most important challenge for man in history and it will present unparalleled opportunity and will require excellence of performance.
He reminded students that excellence is not an abstract term but rather a result of performance; measured against others and against ourselves. "If we do not expect much of ourselves we will not achieve much. We must declare excellence as our goal," he said.
He suggested several tools to aid the graduate in the pursuit of excellence.
Self-discipline is an important tool in learning and Dr. Davison said continuing to learn is every graduate’s responsibility. High performance is important and Dr. Davison said the only road to high performance is through high standards.
He suggested graduates be curious, explore, question and to always be perceptive to the unexpected. Keeping an ordered mind that is not cluttered is another tool important in the pursuit of excellence.
Graduates should expose themselves to other bright people. "be discriminating. Find someone better than you to associate with," he said. Finally, Dr. Davison told the graduates to declare their freedom from fear of risk. "Remember that there is no failsafe society and no progress without risk."
He told graduates they have a task as educated citizens to sort out and make good choices and that they must not let small things stand in the way of high performance. "The approaching age will require the best of every person. I am confident you will master the challenges and opportunities of the coming age. We have the opportunity to write history’s brightest chapter."
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