Graduation Speech Boston University May 2008

Wow, this sight is unbelievable. It seems yesterday that we timidly walked into SCi107 for our first Chem 101 and Bio 107 lectures, and here we are, celebrating an incredible milestone in our lives. Today is a day of fulfillment and accomplishment. For all of us here, an extraordinary adventure has ended. Most of us have spent the past few days packing up the past four years of our lives in a few cardboard boxes, deciding what to leave behind and what to take with us. We have been busy sharing one more coffee, one more laugh, one more confidence with our friends. And all of us, for every moment of the past few weeks, have been wondering what awaits us after Boston University, what the future holds. Our backs bent over heavy textbooks, we have worked hard to get to where we stand today. But on this day, as we graduate to the grown up world, I would like for us to put down our thick biology textbooks and to pick up a children’s book: “The Little Prince”, by Antoine de Saite-Exrupéry. Listen carefully to the words of the little prince, to his three commandments: they are precious advice that our generation should follow.

First: "It's a question of discipline, (…) When you've finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend your planet." 

We are responsible for our Earth. The human family has grown exponentially in the past century, putting unprecedented strain on the planet’s resources. The increased demand and cost of resources has widened the gap between the wealthy and the indigent, and such social and global inequalities are rendered self-evident by the AIDS, TB and malnutrition pandemics that plague the developing countries. As the future leaders of this nation and of the world, we Boston University graduates must commit to tending our planet. As scientists, we must promote sustainability by supporting the research for new, clean energy sources. We must actively reach out to our brothers and sisters in need, rather than just hypocritically pitying their conditions when their stories are broadcast on television. It’s a question of discipline, as the little prince says, it takes time and effort. But it is our responsibility.

Second: You are responsible, forever, for who you have tamed.
To tame is to establish ties, to invest time in a relationship. Here at Boston University, we have established a myriad of connections, some of which will last a lifetime. Relationships are like parking meters: if you don’t feed them, they will expire. Never take the people around you for granted. Put effort into maintaining the connections you have made here on this campus. Life will be busy: don’t let that be an excuse. You are responsible, forever, for who you have tamed
And Third: "That is the hardest thing of all. It is much harder to judge yourself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself, it's because you're truly a wise man."

At Boston University, the alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the principles of tolerance and respect are passed on to all of us students. As you represent this institution everywhere life takes you, maintain this attitude of love and acceptance. Don’t waste your time fearing who’s different: learn from him instead. When you are tempted to criticize someone, pause, and use that time to assess yourself, your own actions. The resulting self-awareness will ensure that you never settle for a job you don’t like, for a career that doesn’t convince you. It will encourage you to nurture your talents instead, to pursue your dreams.

Our generation suffers from a form of political apathy that sees us passively casting judgment on our leaders rather than actively working toward change. Let’s begin criticizing this widespread indifference by voting, endorsing, protesting, boycotting, speaking, writing, denouncing, acclaiming.

The issues of this world are enormously complex, and nobody here can solve them alone. But that is why I am so honored to share this day with such a brilliant group of people: I know that together, we can promote the change that is necessary for the human family to overcome economic and environmental challenges. So today, let’s accept the responsibilities of an adult citizen of the world, with the confidence that Boston University has prepared us well for such a task.

I would like to end with excerpts from a famous prayer by Mother Teresa, a woman who tended her planet, cared for those she tamed, and refused to remain passive about the world’s injustice.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway. (…)

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Congratulations Biology graduates of the class of 2008!