Well for most of us our time at Temple University is drawing to a close. It feels like only yesterday we were herded into the Liacouras Center for some overrated convocation ceremony. We arrived here at Temple as bright-eyed freshman with only our imaginations to limit our ambitions. We changed majors two, three, even four times. Added minors and other "interests" along the way. We did time in dormitory rooms in what now seem as though they were the size of prison cells. We moved off campus into overpriced lofts with sketchy security. Then we moved even further off campus into the great unknown spreading our reach across campus lines and into the local neighborhood and community.
Now, with freshman admitted born in 1991 and 1992, I feel in one sense as though I have worn out my welcome here, but yet another part of me still finds a desire to stay. However, I choose really not to look at it as our time at Temple really ending. We will always take Temple University with us wherever we choose to go in the near future. Sure, we're all graduating with different degrees in various fields, but it's not the diploma that makes us graduates.
It's really the lessons we learned in the classroom, in the city, and at home.
It's about how we learned to make the best of what's around.
The friendships that we forged, tested, and tried yet they remained true.
The time we spent in the libraries and computer labs not studying for tests and writing papers but rather investing in our future.
The countless nights and lazy afternoons we spent together figuring out who we really are.
These are only but a few of many things which qualify us as graduates.
We all chose to go to Temple for different reasons, but I believe we're all walking out the door for the same one. We are out to make the world a better place. Sure, it sounds cliche but I have never met a group of people so dedicated to service as you. It is my pleasure to say that I have had the fortune of meeting such motivated, intelligent, hard-working young men and women. I consider it a privilege to call you not only my college roommates and classmates, but rather I count each and everyone of you as my closest friends.
It is no secret that our generation is tasked with a difficult responsibility. We have to put back together the pieces of a puzzle that has all but fallen apart over the past decade. I surely don't have to be the one to tell you that our great Nation and world is in a tough spot. We all well aware of the global recession, multiple wars, disasters, and numerous other turmoils that everyday people face in the current national and global climate. But now is not the time for tears. It's a time for sweat, hard work, and good old-fashioned American resilience and ingenuity. Our generation is tasked with altering and ultimately righting the course of present affairs.
How we do it is up to us.
Whether you're going to be a nurse, doctor, police officer, communications-broadcaster, accountant, financial analyst, psychologist, service-member, or politician...remember always that we are still students first, never ceasing to learn from our mistakes and capitalize on our successes. Always be a student of life at large. Temple certainly did not teach us all the answers, but I feel the institution has prepared us with the tools and mechanisms required to discover solutions. Sometimes the answers to these questions won't be in the back of the book. There probably won't be a formula to validate our work. More than likely we won't be able check Blackboard to see how we did on the last test. We're going to have to look inside and evaluate ourselves and know at the end of the day that we made the right decisions.
I'm excited for us. I'm excited for the future. We bring to the table a certain tenacity and drive that is not only desired, but required in such challenging times. It is my honest and yet humble opinion that we have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that have fallen in the path of achieving a better world.
And so to you, Class of 2010, I choose not to salute you for the hard work and effort that you have put forth.
Rather I choose to pay tribute to you for all the hard work that you will carry out.
Certainly, we will be tested at times but I do believe we can overcome any obstacle with the utmost resolve and determination. It is in our nature as resilient Americans to rise to any challenge, look it square in the eye, and ultimately achieve greatness.
The legacy we leave here at Temple University is only that of which each of us chooses to leave. Whether we depart here leaving only part of ourselves, most of ourselves, or everything...it's all essentially meaningless. Meaningless in that fact that we will not be judged on the basis what we've accomplished here, but we will be judged according to what we achieve in life. These achievements which I speak of are not earthly or tangible. They are not able to be put into words. They are the basics that we should all aspire to. Living a good and meaningful life. Truly caring about your family, friends, and loved ones...because after everything is over, they'll be the only ones still there. Living life to the fullest of your ability.
The greatest impact that we will leave on Temple University is how we ultimately choose to utilize the knowledge, tools, and understanding that the institution has provided us with.
On a personal note, most of you have expressed at least some concern in regard to my imminent departure. Yes, it's true I'm leaving in a sense, but I'm not departing. As contradictory as it may seem, I really don't believe in good-bye speeches and tearful farewells. Rather, this farewell address is different. Not a goodbye or collection of highlights, but a reassurance that I'm really not leaving anyone. Life in the 21st century is great and no matter what, I'll never be more than a few plane rides away. It's really not as far as you may think.
For me, distance happens to be just a spatial concept, defined only by the boundaries that we emplace upon it.
I'll never forget the hometown where I grew up. I'll never forget the time I spent in Philadelphia. I'll certainly never overlook the importance of my family...to them I owe everything. I'll never forget you...my friends, either. You have all stuck with me through everything. I'd like to think more of this everything as being good than bad.
In the most sincere of ways, I wish each and every one of you the best in all of your future endeavors. I wish you all an abundance of good health and happiness. Go out and do amazing things, because I know you are all more than capable of achieving greatness.
Take care friends, I'll catch you all on the flip-side.
Sincerely,
Jarrett Buchanan
