Valedictory Address

“Valedictorian’s Speech” (18 May 1979):1-4. (UA Case 68, Box 2)

Your Honour, Mr. Minister, Your Excellency, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all, I would dearly like to welcome everybody here on behalf of the graduating class. I am really glad you could all make it, and needless to say, we are all glad we could make it.

You know, in sitting down and writing this speech, I began thinking – no, make that – plotting, what use I would make of the time allotted me for this very special occasion.

I have five, maybe ten minutes to literally say anything I want to. Just think of the possibilities.

I believe that the traditional approach of the Valedictorian has been to either praise of criticize the administration, (or both), complain or cheer about how hard, or good, times have been, and to always mention how bad or how good times will be, depending on how you, that is we, change our attitudes. And all of this usually within the context of one speech.

However, today is May 18th, only four days from the Federal Election, and motherhood and apple pie speeches of this sort have been coming to us continuously for almost two months now. So, I thought I would spare you the anguish of listening to an unpaid rather than a paid political announcement.

Instead, what I’m going to talk about it the kind of subject that is sadly lacking from most political parties’ platforms and from most politician’s speeches. What I am referring to is truth.

The particular truth I would like to draw your attention to this afternoon is in the answer to a question which I have been asked, which most of my fellow graduates have been asked, which most of my fellow graduates have been asked, and really of anybody who have ever worked on anything which demanded so much and promised so little. That is, “Was it really worth it?”

To me, the answer is a resounding “yes”! There is no doubt some of you will point out that most of this graduating class will be starting at a salary far below that of an unskilled laborer. Still, others will point out that many college graduates don’t even have a job.

While both observations are correct, they are also hopelessly materialistic and extremely narrow-minded. Of course, jobs are important, and so is the peace of mind that material success can bring. But this is Canada, and nobody is going to starve to death, and most of us aren’t going to be millionaires, so I really wouldn’t get too hung up on the market value of a degree.

Yet, after being exposed to four years of university, I still get asked, “So, now what can you do?” or “What does that give you?”

Well, in concrete terms, not too much except that for most management jobs, or jobs that entail responsibility, a college degree is a prerequisite. And, as such, is important in its own right.

But quite apart from this, I believe the true worth of a degree lives in the life-long skills that are acquired in the process of obtaining one.

The ability to judge on a more local basis, the validity of an argument. To look with disdain at simple solutions to what are normally complex problems. To have an appreciation of the complex and varied nature of most problems confronting this country today. The knowledge that from this point on we can never really stop educating ourselves. That today isn’t really the end only a beginning, and finally after four or more years of study, the realization of just how little we really do know.

Now, I know that this many not seem like a lot to show after four years of time and of considerable expense, but consider the alternative – if you think that education is expensive, then I suggest you try ignorance.

Thank you.