On June 2nd, I delivered my valedictorian address to the Sauder School of Business 2010 graduating class. I know a few people weren't able to make it or watch it via video stream so I figured the text will do it justice until I upload the actual video (late July). I had a lot of fun writing and delivering it and this was a fantastic way to cap off my years...and years at University.
(insert audience-clap schtick here)
On a formal occasion such as this - I’ll start with just that: the formalities. So I would like to announce the gifts on behalf of the graduating class:
- $10,000 to the AMS Bursary Programme
- $10,000 to the UBC Alumni Association, for student directed programming on University Square
- $5,000 to the UBC Learning Exchange
Chancellor Morgan-Silvester, President Toope, Dean Dan, Distinguished Faculty, Incredible Staff, Mom & Dad, and to my friends, the graduating class of 2010.
As I stared at the blank word document on my desktop, only accompanied by the tormenting blink of the cursor - trying to fill the page with something insightful, heartfelt yet not cliched, it occurred to me that writing this speech alone in my room wasn't going to do the Sauder experience justice. So I took a walk, and on that walk - it became crystal clear that there were four things I had to speak to you about today: memories, journeys, pies and well... clapping . I'd like for you to come on this walk with me - but first, please close your eyes.
I walked across Wesbrook Mall along University Boulevard - memories of pints of Guinness at Mahoney's on my left and foggier memories of jumping off 10 meter diving boards on my right. I strafed north bound walking past the Student Union Building, which overflowed with memories of students. Everything from club meetings, heated council discussions, to laughter in the Gallery and deep "thumping noise" from the PIT on a Wednesday night. As I continued west past memories of hippies making bon fires on knolls which was quickly drowned out by the screams of excitement in the south plaza as a team of five finally Stormed The Wall. I strolled by Ike Barber - where late nights filled with optimistic intentions of catching up on those chapters sometimes led to catching up on all my high school friend's photos on facebook instead. Both I’d argue both had value. It was then I slowly approached it, home. At the heart of this University lies our home: Henry Angus. We all have different memories and it is the creation and collection of those memories that define our experience as a graduating class.
For many it’s with professors like Brian Graham who taught you how to win a door prize by artfully crumpling up your paper entry or Dan Gardiner who astutely preaches parsimonious writing techniques through his simple acronym K-I-S-S: Keep-It-Simple-Stupid.
For others its training with alumni and professors for case competitions like The Inter-Collegiate Business Case Competition, JDC West, & the Champions Cup in New Zealand...and then traveling to those competitions and winning, again, and again...
For some it’s simply memories of POITS - the way it was.
What ever your memories are- they’re our memories and it is just that, that comm
on history that shapes and defines us as a class.
When I was in grade 8, I heard my father give a speech to my older sister's high school graduating class. He spoke about how "Success is the Journey: Not the Destination". At the time, they were simply words that didn't resonate. It really isn't until now, where we stand on the doorstep of our home, with the green and blue sauder door slowly closing behind us that I begin to realize how profound that concept truly is. For the first time in our young lives it appears as if there’s no set target: there’s no high school graduation, and after today - no convocation. With no set direction we will each carve our own future and to some, those end points may be promotions, titles and mortgages - but I’d like to think we’d focus on destinations such connecting with loved ones and putting more into this world than we take from her. So far… it seems to hold true that it's not what you know or feel that matters, but what you do with the people you love that matters most.
Of the four things I said I would speak to at the beginning, the third of said four was pie. Although not pumpkin or apple - I assure you this figurative flavor will leave you with an equally satisfied pallet. A professor, mentor and close friend explained one class that in a world filled with daily negotiations, and compromises - everyone is fighting desperately to get their fair slice. “How do we win in a world with a growing population and a shrinking pie”? That answer is so simple it’s poetry: “Grow the Pie”. This can be done on a large scale such as saving the environment as exemplified by Sauder students who are enabling small communities to become energy independent and sell that energy back to the grid. “Growing the Pie” can be as simple as giving up your time and effort to help someone in need, not because you’re supposed to our because someone’s watching, but simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Through whatever means you choose - the message is the same: by shifting your thoughts form “What about me?” to “What about we?” you grow the pie. By how much is up to you.
So why the clapping at the beginning?
I figure as though each milestone in life has and will be littered with ceremonious formalities and the seriousness of purpose. To be honest - they should be. But to deny ourselves the excitement we feel, the energy that’s simply tingling to erupt - I suspect, will lead to the indescribably grave misfortune and utterly painstakingly unavoidable reality, namely: becoming our parents.
So as we make our transition into this “real world”, I’ll leave you with this - own your history, enjoy the journey, grow the pie, and well... (insert clap).
Thank You.
