1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,976 [MUSIC PLAYING] 2 00:00:01,976 --> 00:00:37,321 3 00:00:37,321 --> 00:00:41,313 [SILENCE] 4 00:00:41,313 --> 00:01:09,257 5 00:01:09,257 --> 00:01:12,750 [CHATTER] 6 00:01:12,750 --> 00:02:56,043 7 00:02:56,043 --> 00:03:01,033 Do you prefer to have me between camera two and the stage? 8 00:03:01,033 --> 00:03:03,528 [SILENCE] 9 00:03:03,528 --> 00:04:26,362 10 00:04:26,362 --> 00:04:28,857 [MUSIC - "POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE"] 11 00:04:28,857 --> 00:06:32,154 12 00:06:32,154 --> 00:06:35,142 [MUSIC - "POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE"] 13 00:06:35,142 --> 00:12:13,562 14 00:12:13,562 --> 00:12:14,062 [SILENCE] 15 00:12:14,062 --> 00:12:17,020 [MUSIC PLAYING] 16 00:12:17,020 --> 00:14:42,337 17 00:14:42,337 --> 00:14:44,772 [SILENCE] 18 00:14:44,772 --> 00:14:47,207 [MUSIC PLAYING] 19 00:14:47,207 --> 00:18:05,082 20 00:18:05,082 --> 00:18:06,270 Here we go on one. 21 00:18:06,270 --> 00:18:08,910 [MUSIC PLAYING] 22 00:18:08,910 --> 00:18:10,638 You're on, you're on. 23 00:18:10,638 --> 00:18:17,960 24 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:19,960 What we [? doing? ?] 25 00:18:19,960 --> 00:19:57,118 26 00:19:57,118 --> 00:19:59,408 [CHATTER] 27 00:19:59,408 --> 00:20:01,520 [MUSIC - "POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE"] 28 00:20:01,520 --> 00:22:48,410 29 00:22:48,410 --> 00:22:49,903 [INAUDIBLE] 30 00:22:49,903 --> 00:23:39,065 31 00:23:39,065 --> 00:23:39,930 [CHATTER] 32 00:23:39,930 --> 00:23:42,870 [MUSIC PLAYING] 33 00:23:42,870 --> 00:24:53,260 34 00:24:53,260 --> 00:24:55,735 [MUSIC PLAYING] 35 00:24:55,735 --> 00:25:34,920 36 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:38,340 [CHATTER] 37 00:25:38,340 --> 00:25:40,905 [MUSIC PLAYING] 38 00:25:40,905 --> 00:32:26,548 39 00:32:26,548 --> 00:32:30,034 [CHATTER] 40 00:32:30,034 --> 00:32:34,018 [MUSIC - "POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE"] 41 00:32:34,018 --> 00:36:15,250 42 00:36:15,250 --> 00:36:15,750 [CHATTER] 43 00:36:15,750 --> 00:36:18,750 [MUSIC PLAYING] 44 00:36:18,750 --> 00:36:56,450 45 00:36:56,450 --> 00:36:59,432 [CHATTER] 46 00:36:59,432 --> 00:37:00,426 [INAUDIBLE] 47 00:37:00,426 --> 00:37:04,290 48 00:37:04,290 --> 00:37:06,810 Ladies and gentlemen, please stand 49 00:37:06,810 --> 00:37:09,210 for the Pledge of Allegiance, and remain 50 00:37:09,210 --> 00:37:11,820 standing for the singing the first verse 51 00:37:11,820 --> 00:37:13,084 of the national anthem. 52 00:37:13,084 --> 00:37:16,680 53 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:20,710 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United 54 00:37:20,710 --> 00:37:25,692 States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, 55 00:37:25,692 --> 00:37:28,624 one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty 56 00:37:28,624 --> 00:37:30,590 and justice for all." 57 00:37:30,590 --> 00:37:34,590 [CHATTER] 58 00:37:34,590 --> 00:37:39,044 [MUSIC - "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"] 59 00:37:39,044 --> 00:38:45,760 60 00:38:45,760 --> 00:38:47,724 [APPLAUSE] 61 00:38:47,724 --> 00:38:54,353 62 00:38:54,353 --> 00:38:55,339 [INAUDIBLE] 63 00:38:55,339 --> 00:38:58,790 64 00:38:58,790 --> 00:39:01,748 Forward march. 65 00:39:01,748 --> 00:39:07,171 [SILENCE] 66 00:39:07,171 --> 00:39:10,129 Now, now. 67 00:39:10,129 --> 00:39:12,101 [CHATTER] 68 00:39:12,101 --> 00:39:20,980 69 00:39:20,980 --> 00:39:22,360 Please be seated. 70 00:39:22,360 --> 00:39:32,432 71 00:39:32,432 --> 00:39:35,276 The president of the university. 72 00:39:35,276 --> 00:39:38,174 [APPLAUSE] 73 00:39:38,174 --> 00:39:48,630 74 00:39:48,630 --> 00:39:53,340 Mr. Rector, members of the Board of Visitors, ladies 75 00:39:53,340 --> 00:39:56,790 and gentlemen, welcome. 76 00:39:56,790 --> 00:40:02,340 Today marks the end of the 187th academic session. 77 00:40:02,340 --> 00:40:08,520 [CHEERING] 78 00:40:08,520 --> 00:40:10,890 These exercises are the university's most 79 00:40:10,890 --> 00:40:12,480 joyful occasion. 80 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:16,950 When we gather to award degrees and celebrate the achievements 81 00:40:16,950 --> 00:40:19,350 of the graduating class. 82 00:40:19,350 --> 00:40:22,890 Today we are conferring degrees on the candidates 83 00:40:22,890 --> 00:40:26,680 from the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 84 00:40:26,680 --> 00:40:28,680 [CHEERING] 85 00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:34,470 86 00:40:34,470 --> 00:40:37,350 Tomorrow we will confer degrees on the candidates 87 00:40:37,350 --> 00:40:39,570 from the university's 10 other schools, 88 00:40:39,570 --> 00:40:41,530 and the Data Science Institute. 89 00:40:41,530 --> 00:40:42,530 [BOOING] 90 00:40:42,530 --> 00:40:44,530 [LAUGHTER] 91 00:40:44,530 --> 00:40:49,050 92 00:40:49,050 --> 00:40:52,350 I should acknowledge we are celebrating this weekend's 93 00:40:52,350 --> 00:40:57,720 Final Exercises without some of our student athletes. 94 00:40:57,720 --> 00:41:01,410 As you may have heard, members of the women's golf team 95 00:41:01,410 --> 00:41:03,540 and the men's golf team are competing 96 00:41:03,540 --> 00:41:06,554 in the NCAA championships. 97 00:41:06,554 --> 00:41:07,970 [APPLAUSE] 98 00:41:07,970 --> 00:41:12,230 99 00:41:12,230 --> 00:41:14,780 And the women's and men's tennis teams 100 00:41:14,780 --> 00:41:18,414 are in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship tournament. 101 00:41:18,414 --> 00:41:20,280 [APPLAUSE] 102 00:41:20,280 --> 00:41:23,380 103 00:41:23,380 --> 00:41:26,800 We wish these student athletes luck. 104 00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:30,760 Our music today is provided by the 392nd Army Band 105 00:41:30,760 --> 00:41:33,940 from Fort Lee, Virginia, under the direction of Warrant 106 00:41:33,940 --> 00:41:37,360 Officer 1, Kevin L. Pick. 107 00:41:37,360 --> 00:41:43,510 The Army Band has performed at our Final Exercises since 1998, 108 00:41:43,510 --> 00:41:48,170 and after 18 years, this will be their last year with us. 109 00:41:48,170 --> 00:41:51,290 Please join me in a round of applause for the Army 110 00:41:51,290 --> 00:41:53,034 Band from Fort Lee. 111 00:41:53,034 --> 00:42:01,000 [APPLAUSE] 112 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:04,690 I also ask you to join me in a round of applause 113 00:42:04,690 --> 00:42:08,860 for 63 members of your class who yesterday were commissioned 114 00:42:08,860 --> 00:42:12,790 as second lieutenants or as ensigns in the Army, Navy 115 00:42:12,790 --> 00:42:13,910 and Air Force. 116 00:42:13,910 --> 00:42:16,410 [APPLAUSE] 117 00:42:16,410 --> 00:42:24,960 118 00:42:24,960 --> 00:42:27,360 I want to recognize some important members 119 00:42:27,360 --> 00:42:30,600 of our leadership team who are also 120 00:42:30,600 --> 00:42:32,880 graduating from their posts. 121 00:42:32,880 --> 00:42:35,610 After 25 years of service, Bob Sweeney 122 00:42:35,610 --> 00:42:37,890 will be stepping down from his position 123 00:42:37,890 --> 00:42:40,590 as senior vice president for University Advancement 124 00:42:40,590 --> 00:42:41,760 next month. 125 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:45,510 Though he will stay on for one year as an advisor. 126 00:42:45,510 --> 00:42:48,660 Through his work, Bob has influenced the university 127 00:42:48,660 --> 00:42:52,316 in profound ways, and I'm grateful for his service 128 00:42:52,316 --> 00:42:52,941 and leadership. 129 00:42:52,941 --> 00:42:54,825 [APPLAUSE] 130 00:42:54,825 --> 00:43:02,040 131 00:43:02,040 --> 00:43:06,690 I also want to recognize Martha Sites for her leadership 132 00:43:06,690 --> 00:43:10,740 as interim university librarian, as she steps down 133 00:43:10,740 --> 00:43:12,360 for a well-earned retirement. 134 00:43:12,360 --> 00:43:13,280 Thank you, Martha. 135 00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:16,280 [APPLAUSE] 136 00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:21,990 137 00:43:21,990 --> 00:43:24,030 Today's ceremony is a celebration 138 00:43:24,030 --> 00:43:27,780 of the efforts of families, as well as students. 139 00:43:27,780 --> 00:43:29,580 For parents whose sons and daughters 140 00:43:29,580 --> 00:43:33,420 receive degrees today, we acknowledge your commitments 141 00:43:33,420 --> 00:43:38,670 that began long before your students came to study here. 142 00:43:38,670 --> 00:43:42,790 Our admiration extends to grandparents, aunts, uncles, 143 00:43:42,790 --> 00:43:46,170 and other family members who encouraged these men and women 144 00:43:46,170 --> 00:43:48,660 in their academic careers. 145 00:43:48,660 --> 00:43:51,330 We also recognize the spouses and children 146 00:43:51,330 --> 00:43:55,470 of some of our students who also made sacrifices, and offered 147 00:43:55,470 --> 00:43:58,830 encouragement to make this day possible. 148 00:43:58,830 --> 00:44:01,080 Students, please join me in applause 149 00:44:01,080 --> 00:44:02,722 for your family members. 150 00:44:02,722 --> 00:44:04,060 [APPLAUSE] 151 00:44:04,060 --> 00:44:16,250 152 00:44:16,250 --> 00:44:18,520 These Final Exercises also celebrate 153 00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:21,020 the contributions of our teaching, 154 00:44:21,020 --> 00:44:24,310 research, and support faculty, and the staff members 155 00:44:24,310 --> 00:44:28,540 who work in many different occupations across The Grounds. 156 00:44:28,540 --> 00:44:31,210 Each diploma symbolizes the vitality 157 00:44:31,210 --> 00:44:33,700 of our faculty's endeavors. 158 00:44:33,700 --> 00:44:36,250 Their passion for learning, their efforts 159 00:44:36,250 --> 00:44:39,310 to engage students in intellectual discourse, 160 00:44:39,310 --> 00:44:43,540 their ability to inspire the pursuit of knowledge. 161 00:44:43,540 --> 00:44:46,600 Staff members provide critical support 162 00:44:46,600 --> 00:44:49,070 for the academic enterprise. 163 00:44:49,070 --> 00:44:51,700 Students, please join me in a round of applause 164 00:44:51,700 --> 00:44:54,160 for the faculty and staff who guided and supported 165 00:44:54,160 --> 00:44:55,147 your learning here. 166 00:44:55,147 --> 00:44:57,380 [APPLAUSE] 167 00:44:57,380 --> 00:45:06,147 168 00:45:06,147 --> 00:45:07,730 Of course, the greatest accomplishment 169 00:45:07,730 --> 00:45:10,950 belongs to those of you who earn your degrees today. 170 00:45:10,950 --> 00:45:12,225 [CHEERING] 171 00:45:12,225 --> 00:45:17,570 172 00:45:17,570 --> 00:45:19,920 You have committed yourselves to values 173 00:45:19,920 --> 00:45:24,740 that define this university: academic excellence, honor, 174 00:45:24,740 --> 00:45:29,910 service, diversity, leadership, and accountability, 175 00:45:29,910 --> 00:45:32,180 for yourself and for your peers. 176 00:45:32,180 --> 00:45:35,800 You have lived what you have learned. 177 00:45:35,800 --> 00:45:37,850 The knowledge and habits of mind you 178 00:45:37,850 --> 00:45:41,020 have acquired at the University of Virginia 179 00:45:41,020 --> 00:45:44,340 will become tools for leadership in the world to which you go. 180 00:45:44,340 --> 00:45:49,210 181 00:45:49,210 --> 00:45:51,645 [APPLAUSE] 182 00:45:51,645 --> 00:45:56,520 183 00:45:56,520 --> 00:45:59,166 The rector of the university. 184 00:45:59,166 --> 00:46:01,060 [APPLAUSE] 185 00:46:01,060 --> 00:46:05,479 186 00:46:05,479 --> 00:46:07,200 Well, good morning. 187 00:46:07,200 --> 00:46:10,050 And I again want to thank all of you 188 00:46:10,050 --> 00:46:13,460 for coming, and particularly the parents. 189 00:46:13,460 --> 00:46:17,400 And, of course, well wishes to you students. 190 00:46:17,400 --> 00:46:20,770 I would not be doing my job very well if I didn't let y'all know 191 00:46:20,770 --> 00:46:24,410 how hard some of the people, all the people here-- 192 00:46:24,410 --> 00:46:29,310 your staff and your deans, work all year to try to make this 193 00:46:29,310 --> 00:46:30,540 a great university. 194 00:46:30,540 --> 00:46:32,640 And I thank Terry. 195 00:46:32,640 --> 00:46:34,887 I should call her President Sullivan, I'm sorry. 196 00:46:34,887 --> 00:46:36,470 Terry, thank you for all you're doing. 197 00:46:36,470 --> 00:46:39,210 Just to give you an example of how hard she's worked, 198 00:46:39,210 --> 00:46:41,310 tomorrow after graduation she'll be 199 00:46:41,310 --> 00:46:44,260 heading to China and Singapore for a couple of weeks 200 00:46:44,260 --> 00:46:45,630 with some other people. 201 00:46:45,630 --> 00:46:46,980 Tom, thank you. 202 00:46:46,980 --> 00:46:48,120 Pat Hogan, thank you. 203 00:46:48,120 --> 00:46:51,120 All the deans I want to just thank very much for all 204 00:46:51,120 --> 00:46:52,581 y'all have done. 205 00:46:52,581 --> 00:46:53,555 [APPLAUSE] 206 00:46:53,555 --> 00:46:57,950 207 00:46:57,950 --> 00:47:01,500 I can't let this moment go by with not recognizing 208 00:47:01,500 --> 00:47:03,500 our past rector, George Martin, who's sitting 209 00:47:03,500 --> 00:47:04,990 right here in front smiling. 210 00:47:04,990 --> 00:47:06,532 He is so happy. 211 00:47:06,532 --> 00:47:08,365 I don't know whether it's because you're not 212 00:47:08,365 --> 00:47:10,490 rector now, George, but you certainly were smiling. 213 00:47:10,490 --> 00:47:13,580 But he was given an award yesterday, the Gordon E. 214 00:47:13,580 --> 00:47:15,080 [INAUDIBLE] Award for service. 215 00:47:15,080 --> 00:47:18,464 And so congratulations, George, well deserved. 216 00:47:18,464 --> 00:47:19,895 [APPLAUSE] 217 00:47:19,895 --> 00:47:22,760 218 00:47:22,760 --> 00:47:25,240 The people here at the University are so helpful, 219 00:47:25,240 --> 00:47:26,260 and they work so hard. 220 00:47:26,260 --> 00:47:28,610 And I really do have about a 15-page speech 221 00:47:28,610 --> 00:47:31,360 that I have been drafted for me to read. 222 00:47:31,360 --> 00:47:33,660 And I've decided to not do that. 223 00:47:33,660 --> 00:47:36,110 [CHEERING] 224 00:47:36,110 --> 00:47:38,030 225 00:47:38,030 --> 00:47:41,110 But I thought I would take just a moment. 226 00:47:41,110 --> 00:47:43,820 And when I was reading the speech 227 00:47:43,820 --> 00:47:45,650 and making a few corrections, which I'm not 228 00:47:45,650 --> 00:47:48,830 going to give to you, I thought about when 229 00:47:48,830 --> 00:47:51,830 I was graduating from college. 230 00:47:51,830 --> 00:47:53,680 And it was some 54 years ago. 231 00:47:53,680 --> 00:47:55,730 So it's been a lot that's taken place. 232 00:47:55,730 --> 00:47:57,590 And I jotted down some of the things 233 00:47:57,590 --> 00:48:00,510 that I remember, at least, going through my mind. 234 00:48:00,510 --> 00:48:03,950 And I thought I would tell you what those five or six things 235 00:48:03,950 --> 00:48:05,960 were, at least for me, and then I'll 236 00:48:05,960 --> 00:48:07,790 jump forward about four or five years 237 00:48:07,790 --> 00:48:10,370 and tell you maybe how some of them worked out. 238 00:48:10,370 --> 00:48:12,920 But the first one that I remember 239 00:48:12,920 --> 00:48:15,260 was I was so glad I didn't have to take any more 240 00:48:15,260 --> 00:48:18,320 exams and any more tests. 241 00:48:18,320 --> 00:48:19,430 I really did. 242 00:48:19,430 --> 00:48:21,620 I was worn out. 243 00:48:21,620 --> 00:48:24,260 I was in engineering, and I think all they like to do 244 00:48:24,260 --> 00:48:27,970 is give you tests, and then exams [INAUDIBLE]. 245 00:48:27,970 --> 00:48:29,870 I truly was worried about my friends, 246 00:48:29,870 --> 00:48:32,900 because we had been together for so long in one location, 247 00:48:32,900 --> 00:48:34,850 and now we were spreading out. 248 00:48:34,850 --> 00:48:36,740 And I just thought and I remember, 249 00:48:36,740 --> 00:48:39,050 how will I keep up with all these great people 250 00:48:39,050 --> 00:48:42,260 that I've known? 251 00:48:42,260 --> 00:48:44,510 Now I happened to be one of like, the 63 252 00:48:44,510 --> 00:48:46,720 that Terry mentioned. 253 00:48:46,720 --> 00:48:49,885 I was going into the ROTC-- I was an ROTC graduate, 254 00:48:49,885 --> 00:48:51,260 and I was going into the military 255 00:48:51,260 --> 00:48:53,865 and I had no idea what that was. 256 00:48:53,865 --> 00:48:55,490 That was back in what was called quote, 257 00:48:55,490 --> 00:48:58,220 "The Cold Warm," and Vietnam was beginning to heat up. 258 00:48:58,220 --> 00:49:00,290 And so it wasn't a very pleasant time. 259 00:49:00,290 --> 00:49:02,970 But that was all just sort of concern about what 260 00:49:02,970 --> 00:49:04,460 in the world's going to happen. 261 00:49:04,460 --> 00:49:08,010 I didn't have a job, because I was going into the military, 262 00:49:08,010 --> 00:49:10,430 so I really didn't know what my career would be. 263 00:49:10,430 --> 00:49:12,290 It was sort of unsettling. 264 00:49:12,290 --> 00:49:15,780 And I don't know how many of you graduates will today 265 00:49:15,780 --> 00:49:18,060 have to start providing your own welfare, 266 00:49:18,060 --> 00:49:19,690 but I had to sort of accept the fact 267 00:49:19,690 --> 00:49:21,950 that I had to pay my bills when I finished. 268 00:49:21,950 --> 00:49:24,960 So I was a little worried of how I was going to do that. 269 00:49:24,960 --> 00:49:26,760 And then the last thing, and this 270 00:49:26,760 --> 00:49:28,460 sounds-- I'm not trying to be funny, 271 00:49:28,460 --> 00:49:30,780 but I really was worried about parties and girls, 272 00:49:30,780 --> 00:49:32,430 because I had a good time in college. 273 00:49:32,430 --> 00:49:33,795 [LAUGHTER] 274 00:49:33,795 --> 00:49:35,620 275 00:49:35,620 --> 00:49:38,754 And I was just sort of worried of what would happen. 276 00:49:38,754 --> 00:49:41,010 [CHEERING] 277 00:49:41,010 --> 00:49:44,354 So they were some of my thoughts. 278 00:49:44,354 --> 00:49:47,280 Now some of my answers. 279 00:49:47,280 --> 00:49:51,090 I did go in the military, I was stationed in Germany. 280 00:49:51,090 --> 00:49:53,640 And I spent almost 20 months there. 281 00:49:53,640 --> 00:49:56,250 And I learned one heck of a lot about the rest of the world. 282 00:49:56,250 --> 00:49:59,700 We have the internet today, but if you go back 54 years, 283 00:49:59,700 --> 00:50:02,682 people didn't know that much about the world. 284 00:50:02,682 --> 00:50:04,580 I debated whether I'm going to say this, 285 00:50:04,580 --> 00:50:06,621 because you y'all could think I was a bad person, 286 00:50:06,621 --> 00:50:09,930 but I learned how to play cards pretty well in college. 287 00:50:09,930 --> 00:50:13,500 And I actually doubled my income playing cards 288 00:50:13,500 --> 00:50:16,470 when I was in Germany, and I used that to travel, 289 00:50:16,470 --> 00:50:19,860 so I saw all of Europe two and three times during the 20 290 00:50:19,860 --> 00:50:22,590 months. 291 00:50:22,590 --> 00:50:24,420 I did make a living, they actually 292 00:50:24,420 --> 00:50:26,292 paid me to be a lieutenant. 293 00:50:26,292 --> 00:50:27,750 And I actually bought a sports car, 294 00:50:27,750 --> 00:50:30,420 so I felt like I had accomplished something. 295 00:50:30,420 --> 00:50:32,790 And believe it or not, while I was in Germany 296 00:50:32,790 --> 00:50:35,520 I decided I wanted to go back to school. 297 00:50:35,520 --> 00:50:39,300 And that's how it end up here at Darden because I figured 298 00:50:39,300 --> 00:50:41,280 that maybe tests weren't so bad, exams 299 00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:43,650 weren't so bad, so I came back. 300 00:50:43,650 --> 00:50:46,890 I made a lot of friends, both in the military and at Darden, 301 00:50:46,890 --> 00:50:51,331 and we remained together for years. 302 00:50:51,331 --> 00:50:52,830 And the last thing I want to let you 303 00:50:52,830 --> 00:50:55,200 know about, the girls and the parties. 304 00:50:55,200 --> 00:50:58,120 I did find a girl, I did get married, 305 00:50:58,120 --> 00:51:00,505 and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary. 306 00:51:00,505 --> 00:51:01,840 [APPLAUSE] 307 00:51:01,840 --> 00:51:08,870 308 00:51:08,870 --> 00:51:11,160 Now it is with the great pleasure 309 00:51:11,160 --> 00:51:13,660 that I'm going to introduce the speaker. 310 00:51:13,660 --> 00:51:15,610 She is a wonderful lady. 311 00:51:15,610 --> 00:51:20,730 And she is-- We are just fortunate for her to join us 312 00:51:20,730 --> 00:51:21,930 today. 313 00:51:21,930 --> 00:51:23,920 And I'm sitting here trying to find the notes. 314 00:51:23,920 --> 00:51:27,060 315 00:51:27,060 --> 00:51:30,030 It is really my distinct honor to introduce 316 00:51:30,030 --> 00:51:31,890 our keynote speaker for today. 317 00:51:31,890 --> 00:51:35,400 A writer, a teacher, a lifelong scholar, Rita Dove 318 00:51:35,400 --> 00:51:38,220 has the blessed the university, the state, 319 00:51:38,220 --> 00:51:40,410 and the nation with her poetry. 320 00:51:40,410 --> 00:51:43,580 Among some of her most notable accomplishments, 321 00:51:43,580 --> 00:51:47,460 she has served as the poet laureate of the United States, 322 00:51:47,460 --> 00:51:50,550 and consultant to the Library of Congress. 323 00:51:50,550 --> 00:51:53,890 As well as poet laureate for the Commonwealth of Virginia. 324 00:51:53,890 --> 00:51:56,370 Ms. Dove has been nationally recognized, 325 00:51:56,370 --> 00:51:59,760 receiving a total of 25 honorary doctorates 326 00:51:59,760 --> 00:52:02,460 from places like Yale, Dartmouth, 327 00:52:02,460 --> 00:52:06,240 University of Pennsylvania, just to name a few. 328 00:52:06,240 --> 00:52:11,250 Prior to joining our university faculty in 1989, 329 00:52:11,250 --> 00:52:14,160 Ms. Dove taught at Tuskegee Institute 330 00:52:14,160 --> 00:52:16,630 at Arizona State University. 331 00:52:16,630 --> 00:52:19,320 Ms. Dove's publications include nine books 332 00:52:19,320 --> 00:52:24,990 of poetry, numerous projects, plays, major musicals, 333 00:52:24,990 --> 00:52:29,930 contributions, and even audio-visual productions. 334 00:52:29,930 --> 00:52:37,720 She was awarded the National Medal of Art in 2011 335 00:52:37,720 --> 00:52:41,310 by President Obama, and the National Humanities Medal 336 00:52:41,310 --> 00:52:44,430 in 1996 by President Clinton. 337 00:52:44,430 --> 00:52:46,440 She is the only poet to have received 338 00:52:46,440 --> 00:52:48,900 both presidential medals. 339 00:52:48,900 --> 00:52:52,750 Ms. Dove has been the recipient of dozens of awards and honors. 340 00:52:52,750 --> 00:52:55,650 If I were to list every accolade Ms. Dove has received, 341 00:52:55,650 --> 00:53:00,870 we would be here till probably tomorrow's finals if not later. 342 00:53:00,870 --> 00:53:02,970 We are honored today to hear from a woman who 343 00:53:02,970 --> 00:53:05,310 embodies the university's image of what 344 00:53:05,310 --> 00:53:07,510 it means to be a true scholar. 345 00:53:07,510 --> 00:53:10,560 Ms. Dove is praised by her students and esteem 346 00:53:10,560 --> 00:53:12,900 by her colleagues, and by her community. 347 00:53:12,900 --> 00:53:15,778 Please join me in welcoming Ms. Rita Dove. 348 00:53:15,778 --> 00:53:26,860 [APPLAUSE] 349 00:53:26,860 --> 00:53:29,200 Thank you, Rector Goodwin. 350 00:53:29,200 --> 00:53:33,700 President Sullivan, esteemed faculty, and alumni, 351 00:53:33,700 --> 00:53:39,670 long-suffering and now relieved parents, jubilant relatives 352 00:53:39,670 --> 00:53:45,670 and friends, but for most, you, the graduating class of 2016, 353 00:53:45,670 --> 00:53:49,750 despite the weather, this is a glorious morning. 354 00:53:49,750 --> 00:53:50,741 Congratulations. 355 00:53:50,741 --> 00:53:57,960 356 00:53:57,960 --> 00:54:02,250 Now asking a poet to speak at commencement 357 00:54:02,250 --> 00:54:07,140 seems both a no-brainer and a provocation. 358 00:54:07,140 --> 00:54:10,770 After all, poets deal with words all the time. 359 00:54:10,770 --> 00:54:14,190 But they also strive to distill language down 360 00:54:14,190 --> 00:54:19,800 to the most necessary syllables, and the most haunting song. 361 00:54:19,800 --> 00:54:24,240 The prospect of addressing a new generation of adults coming 362 00:54:24,240 --> 00:54:26,640 from wide-ranging disciplines all 363 00:54:26,640 --> 00:54:30,270 gathered here, one last time on these Grounds, 364 00:54:30,270 --> 00:54:35,280 before scattering in whichever directions your passions, 365 00:54:35,280 --> 00:54:37,890 or your jobs will take you. 366 00:54:37,890 --> 00:54:42,150 Well, I can't help but think of what Mark Twain 367 00:54:42,150 --> 00:54:45,600 said about the biblical Adam. 368 00:54:45,600 --> 00:54:50,550 How lucky Adam was, he knew when he said a good thing, 369 00:54:50,550 --> 00:54:54,510 nobody had said it before. 370 00:54:54,510 --> 00:54:59,490 So let me say a few good words that couldn't be truer. 371 00:54:59,490 --> 00:55:03,780 I am extremely delighted to be here today, 372 00:55:03,780 --> 00:55:06,510 at the very institution where I have been 373 00:55:06,510 --> 00:55:10,532 teaching for the past 27 years. 374 00:55:10,532 --> 00:55:11,115 And although-- 375 00:55:11,115 --> 00:55:12,882 [APPLAUSE] 376 00:55:12,882 --> 00:55:13,850 Thank you. 377 00:55:13,850 --> 00:55:20,150 378 00:55:20,150 --> 00:55:22,280 I don't-- I can't believe it myself. 379 00:55:22,280 --> 00:55:25,790 But although I have given commencement speeches 380 00:55:25,790 --> 00:55:30,050 before, this one is different, this one is personal. 381 00:55:30,050 --> 00:55:32,930 382 00:55:32,930 --> 00:55:37,010 The job of a commencement speaker-- I googled it, 383 00:55:37,010 --> 00:55:40,150 so it must be true. 384 00:55:40,150 --> 00:55:45,460 Is to, quote, "dispense life advice." 385 00:55:45,460 --> 00:55:50,380 That seems the very opposite of Percy Bysshe Shelley's 386 00:55:50,380 --> 00:55:54,250 definition of the poet as "a Nightingale 387 00:55:54,250 --> 00:55:59,050 who sits in darkness, and sings to cheer its own solitude 388 00:55:59,050 --> 00:56:01,710 with sweet sounds." 389 00:56:01,710 --> 00:56:04,480 So I will not give you advice. 390 00:56:04,480 --> 00:56:07,060 The last thing you want to hear is advice. 391 00:56:07,060 --> 00:56:08,980 Because in order to be effective, 392 00:56:08,980 --> 00:56:11,670 advice must be specific. 393 00:56:11,670 --> 00:56:15,830 And that obviously is impossible in this setting. 394 00:56:15,830 --> 00:56:20,560 So instead of advice, I will give you wishes. 395 00:56:20,560 --> 00:56:24,940 Just think of me as a crafty fairy 396 00:56:24,940 --> 00:56:31,060 godmother, or a wily genie. 397 00:56:31,060 --> 00:56:34,240 I wish you hunger. 398 00:56:34,240 --> 00:56:38,140 Of course, I don't mean physiological want, 399 00:56:38,140 --> 00:56:42,520 but a continued spiritual and intellectual appetite. 400 00:56:42,520 --> 00:56:46,840 A hunger to know more, do more, feel more. 401 00:56:46,840 --> 00:56:48,550 When you entered this university, 402 00:56:48,550 --> 00:56:50,740 you wanted to eat the world. 403 00:56:50,740 --> 00:56:56,050 And all everyone else wanted you to do was to get good grades. 404 00:56:56,050 --> 00:56:59,800 And though your dreams may have been more nebulous then, 405 00:56:59,800 --> 00:57:04,930 then they are now, they were no less intense. 406 00:57:04,930 --> 00:57:09,400 As one of my graduate students reminded me recently, 407 00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:12,640 passions are hard to come by. 408 00:57:12,640 --> 00:57:16,760 So keep that hunger, nurse it, stay curious, 409 00:57:16,760 --> 00:57:20,230 want it all, while it lasts. 410 00:57:20,230 --> 00:57:23,650 I wish you hard work. 411 00:57:23,650 --> 00:57:26,320 By that I don't mean backbreaking labor, 412 00:57:26,320 --> 00:57:28,510 or the drudgery of a treadmill. 413 00:57:28,510 --> 00:57:32,800 But an appreciation for the work that comes before the big show: 414 00:57:32,800 --> 00:57:37,390 getting ready, honing your tools, observation, research, 415 00:57:37,390 --> 00:57:38,870 practice. 416 00:57:38,870 --> 00:57:43,210 You know the actress Lupita Nyong'o gives herself homework 417 00:57:43,210 --> 00:57:45,550 whenever she has an audition. 418 00:57:45,550 --> 00:57:49,400 And the classical flutist James Galway once said, 419 00:57:49,400 --> 00:57:55,090 you can sight-read better if you know your scales and arpeggios. 420 00:57:55,090 --> 00:57:57,910 Now when my father sat me down for the 421 00:57:57,910 --> 00:58:00,580 you're-going-out-into-the-world speech, 422 00:58:00,580 --> 00:58:05,140 his message was very short. 423 00:58:05,140 --> 00:58:10,170 Always be 150% prepared, he said. 424 00:58:10,170 --> 00:58:13,750 At 150%, you'll be ready for anything. 425 00:58:13,750 --> 00:58:17,320 Even if you're not chosen for the job or the position, 426 00:58:17,320 --> 00:58:21,370 although you're the better qualified candidate. 427 00:58:21,370 --> 00:58:24,250 As the first African-American research chemist 428 00:58:24,250 --> 00:58:27,730 to break the color barrier in the tire and rubber industry, 429 00:58:27,730 --> 00:58:33,330 my father knew how it felt to be passed over. 430 00:58:33,330 --> 00:58:33,830 And-- 431 00:58:33,830 --> 00:58:39,460 [APPLAUSE] 432 00:58:39,460 --> 00:58:41,320 I think what he was trying to tell 433 00:58:41,320 --> 00:58:46,690 me was, the last person to hold you accountable is you, 434 00:58:46,690 --> 00:58:48,100 yourself. 435 00:58:48,100 --> 00:58:50,680 In most cases in the world, you won't 436 00:58:50,680 --> 00:58:53,980 be asked for more than 75%. 437 00:58:53,980 --> 00:58:58,210 In fact, depending on your race or gender or other conditions, 438 00:58:58,210 --> 00:59:00,700 sometimes you'll be underestimated even more. 439 00:59:00,700 --> 00:59:05,190 And won't be expected to give more than 50% of your capacity. 440 00:59:05,190 --> 00:59:08,530 But only you will know if you've done your best. 441 00:59:08,530 --> 00:59:14,230 So focus on that, rather than on what others think your best is. 442 00:59:14,230 --> 00:59:18,010 Because if you allow others to tell you your worth, 443 00:59:18,010 --> 00:59:21,310 you will have given up on yourself. 444 00:59:21,310 --> 00:59:26,560 For me, a shy kid who trembled before giving class 445 00:59:26,560 --> 00:59:31,780 presentations in high school, the 150% I had not ever 446 00:59:31,780 --> 00:59:34,540 expected to need came in handy when 447 00:59:34,540 --> 00:59:38,080 I received the phone call that I had been awarded the Pulitzer 448 00:59:38,080 --> 00:59:41,270 Prize, and would have to hold my first press conference. 449 00:59:41,270 --> 00:59:43,030 450 00:59:43,030 --> 00:59:47,500 It was a very steep learning curve, let me say. 451 00:59:47,500 --> 00:59:49,170 And six years later, when I was named 452 00:59:49,170 --> 00:59:51,190 poet laureate of the United States, 453 00:59:51,190 --> 00:59:56,080 that 150% emboldened me to write a letter on this university's 454 00:59:56,080 --> 01:00:00,310 letterhead to the then President-elect Clinton 455 01:00:00,310 --> 01:00:04,420 suggesting that the White House spotlight the arts during Arts 456 01:00:04,420 --> 01:00:06,210 & Humanities Month. 457 01:00:06,210 --> 01:00:09,850 And then in October of that year, 1993, 458 01:00:09,850 --> 01:00:12,760 as my husband and I rushed to Pennsylvania Avenue right 459 01:00:12,760 --> 01:00:15,250 after my inaugural poetry reading 460 01:00:15,250 --> 01:00:18,010 at the Library of Congress to join the White House 461 01:00:18,010 --> 01:00:21,460 celebration and state dinner in honor of the arts 462 01:00:21,460 --> 01:00:28,450 and humanities, I used every bit of that 150%, I can tell you. 463 01:00:28,450 --> 01:00:31,390 So your third wish. 464 01:00:31,390 --> 01:00:35,770 I wish you uncertainty. 465 01:00:35,770 --> 01:00:39,310 There's only so much knowledge that can be taught. 466 01:00:39,310 --> 01:00:43,690 Hard facts are just that, solid dense entities. 467 01:00:43,690 --> 01:00:46,660 You could call them the stones in a swiftly flowing 468 01:00:46,660 --> 01:00:49,120 stream of possibilities. 469 01:00:49,120 --> 01:00:51,970 You cannot wait for revelation to come down upon you 470 01:00:51,970 --> 01:00:54,970 in a cloud of gossamer and angelic sighs. 471 01:00:54,970 --> 01:00:58,210 More often than not, you will have to seek it out. 472 01:00:58,210 --> 01:01:01,340 And sometimes you don't know where you're going, 473 01:01:01,340 --> 01:01:05,470 but the only way you'll find out is if you go. 474 01:01:05,470 --> 01:01:09,760 That doesn't mean that you rush off willy-nilly screaming, 475 01:01:09,760 --> 01:01:11,680 I'm going to conquer this world. 476 01:01:11,680 --> 01:01:13,240 But you do need to be bold enough 477 01:01:13,240 --> 01:01:16,270 to step outside of your comfort zone, 478 01:01:16,270 --> 01:01:19,240 even if it's scary out there. 479 01:01:19,240 --> 01:01:21,190 Now one of the greatest gifts you've 480 01:01:21,190 --> 01:01:24,310 received at this university is an apprenticeship 481 01:01:24,310 --> 01:01:26,650 in the investigation of ideas. 482 01:01:26,650 --> 01:01:29,050 Learning how to think, how to follow 483 01:01:29,050 --> 01:01:33,010 the trajectory of a thought, when to proceed methodically, 484 01:01:33,010 --> 01:01:35,260 or to pursue a tangent. 485 01:01:35,260 --> 01:01:37,840 All of these techniques for navigating 486 01:01:37,840 --> 01:01:40,990 the path to discovery without getting lost. 487 01:01:40,990 --> 01:01:44,500 Compare yourself to and explore whose sextant 488 01:01:44,500 --> 01:01:47,440 allows him to read the stars and figure out 489 01:01:47,440 --> 01:01:49,300 which way he is going. 490 01:01:49,300 --> 01:01:51,400 Whose portable laboratory enables 491 01:01:51,400 --> 01:01:54,310 her to analyze plants and determine 492 01:01:54,310 --> 01:01:58,180 which ones are beneficial, and which are poisonous. 493 01:01:58,180 --> 01:02:02,940 Between that kind of knowledge and the wide, wide world, 494 01:02:02,940 --> 01:02:07,600 are a host of unknowns, both pitfalls and bounty. 495 01:02:07,600 --> 01:02:11,140 And let's not forget terror, because let's face it, 496 01:02:11,140 --> 01:02:14,200 breaking new ground may be exhilarating, 497 01:02:14,200 --> 01:02:17,260 but it is also terrifying. 498 01:02:17,260 --> 01:02:22,840 If you are lucky, on some level you will always be a student. 499 01:02:22,840 --> 01:02:27,160 If you're lucky, you will never lose the sensation of terror 500 01:02:27,160 --> 01:02:31,420 that precedes discovery, nor the delight that follows. 501 01:02:31,420 --> 01:02:33,610 And this memory will help you forge ahead 502 01:02:33,610 --> 01:02:38,950 into the next bit of uncharted territory. 503 01:02:38,950 --> 01:02:43,180 I wish you the future. 504 01:02:43,180 --> 01:02:47,170 We all want that one answer, the secret to success, 505 01:02:47,170 --> 01:02:49,300 the key to happiness. 506 01:02:49,300 --> 01:02:53,860 I believe success is loving what you're doing more than who 507 01:02:53,860 --> 01:02:56,980 people think you are. 508 01:02:56,980 --> 01:03:00,130 And as for happiness, well, whenever 509 01:03:00,130 --> 01:03:04,120 you can forget what you're doing while you're doing it, 510 01:03:04,120 --> 01:03:08,480 when you get so involved that time quite literally flies, 511 01:03:08,480 --> 01:03:10,990 then you are doing something right. 512 01:03:10,990 --> 01:03:14,170 And when you keep on, even though to do so 513 01:03:14,170 --> 01:03:17,200 will totally mess up your schedule, 514 01:03:17,200 --> 01:03:19,750 then I could say you're happy. 515 01:03:19,750 --> 01:03:23,170 Because whatever it is, it is larger than you, 516 01:03:23,170 --> 01:03:26,530 and you are growing to meet it. 517 01:03:26,530 --> 01:03:31,690 Psychologists call this being in 'the state of flow.' Musicians 518 01:03:31,690 --> 01:03:36,550 say they're 'in the pocket.' Software developers talk 519 01:03:36,550 --> 01:03:41,230 of being 'wired in.' And the Greeks blame it on their muses. 520 01:03:41,230 --> 01:03:45,460 While LeBron James seems to have taken up permanent residence 521 01:03:45,460 --> 01:03:52,480 'in the zone.' So I will not tell you in more than this one 522 01:03:52,480 --> 01:03:55,140 sentence that you have your entire life before you, 523 01:03:55,140 --> 01:03:58,420 since that's self-evident, be that life 90 years, 524 01:03:58,420 --> 01:04:00,520 or a handful of decades. 525 01:04:00,520 --> 01:04:03,910 What I'd like to impress upon you 526 01:04:03,910 --> 01:04:09,300 is an awareness that this life is yours to fill. 527 01:04:09,300 --> 01:04:12,400 What I want you to remember is that nobody will taste it 528 01:04:12,400 --> 01:04:14,200 but you, so you should be looking 529 01:04:14,200 --> 01:04:18,730 to fill it with those tasty bites that you want to savor. 530 01:04:18,730 --> 01:04:21,460 And if you lose your appetite, because someone else has 531 01:04:21,460 --> 01:04:25,000 less than you, or you have hoarded the salt, 532 01:04:25,000 --> 01:04:28,840 well, that's part of your menu, too. 533 01:04:28,840 --> 01:04:31,930 I will not tell you to look ahead, since none of us 534 01:04:31,930 --> 01:04:34,540 can know what out there waiting. 535 01:04:34,540 --> 01:04:37,780 What I will say, is that if you are lucky, 536 01:04:37,780 --> 01:04:43,240 you cannot possibly imagine what the future has in store. 537 01:04:43,240 --> 01:04:47,080 When I arrived at the University of Virginia more than a quarter 538 01:04:47,080 --> 01:04:50,080 of a century ago, most of you were either 539 01:04:50,080 --> 01:04:53,590 not yet born or just barely, still scrabbling 540 01:04:53,590 --> 01:04:55,840 on hands and knees. 541 01:04:55,840 --> 01:05:01,090 At that juncture in time, around 1994 for the undergraduates, 542 01:05:01,090 --> 01:05:04,750 and somewhat earlier for advanced degree candidates. 543 01:05:04,750 --> 01:05:08,380 As you grew up and into yourselves, 544 01:05:08,380 --> 01:05:12,940 as I waited for you to join me today on the lawn, 545 01:05:12,940 --> 01:05:16,630 what did the future look like then? 546 01:05:16,630 --> 01:05:20,900 Think of the things that didn't exist in everyday life. 547 01:05:20,900 --> 01:05:25,510 The world wide web, global positioning systems, 548 01:05:25,510 --> 01:05:30,550 genome sequencing, closeup images from Mars, 549 01:05:30,550 --> 01:05:34,930 drones, some items we now use as casually 550 01:05:34,930 --> 01:05:38,540 as reaching for the milk to pour into our Cheerios 551 01:05:38,540 --> 01:05:41,490 had yet to make it into the mass market level, 552 01:05:41,490 --> 01:05:44,910 like anti-lock brakes and digital cameras. 553 01:05:44,910 --> 01:05:49,560 Others were still figments of our "Star Trek" imaginations. 554 01:05:49,560 --> 01:05:53,830 Plasma screens, wi-fi, Xbox, not to mention 555 01:05:53,830 --> 01:05:57,040 Hulu, Netflix, Skype. 556 01:05:57,040 --> 01:05:59,370 What fantastical names we've given 557 01:05:59,370 --> 01:06:03,720 these contemporary household tools. 558 01:06:03,720 --> 01:06:11,940 Google, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, the Cloud, iPad, iPod, 559 01:06:11,940 --> 01:06:16,740 hell, the entire Apple universe. 560 01:06:16,740 --> 01:06:19,980 And let us not forget e-mail, the first web browsers 561 01:06:19,980 --> 01:06:22,260 for people who were not versed in machine language 562 01:06:22,260 --> 01:06:25,410 came to fruition around the time of your birth. 563 01:06:25,410 --> 01:06:28,870 And as you grew up that 'e' hyphen became 564 01:06:28,870 --> 01:06:36,010 a prefix for new digital marvels: e-bay, ebook, e-cars. 565 01:06:36,010 --> 01:06:39,210 Ah, all the tech abbreviations that would 566 01:06:39,210 --> 01:06:42,370 have sent Rip Van Winkle screaming back 567 01:06:42,370 --> 01:06:45,980 into his pre-revolutionary war mountains. 568 01:06:45,980 --> 01:06:53,250 GPS, TiVo, HDTV, wiki, Wii. 569 01:06:53,250 --> 01:06:58,890 And now think back to when this university was founded. 570 01:06:58,890 --> 01:07:04,120 In 1825 there were horses racing down the lawn, 571 01:07:04,120 --> 01:07:07,870 and a pet bear in one of the gardens. 572 01:07:07,870 --> 01:07:11,520 There were brawls, and typhoid, flickering candlelight, 573 01:07:11,520 --> 01:07:13,770 and smoky fireplaces. 574 01:07:13,770 --> 01:07:16,770 I guess there's still smoky fireplaces. 575 01:07:16,770 --> 01:07:20,060 The outcome of this great academical experiment 576 01:07:20,060 --> 01:07:21,990 was still up for grabs. 577 01:07:21,990 --> 01:07:26,410 Even this nation was not yet the democratic success story 578 01:07:26,410 --> 01:07:30,060 of today, but a struggling volatile startup 579 01:07:30,060 --> 01:07:37,330 company with grand ideas, wobbly capital, and a slave economy. 580 01:07:37,330 --> 01:07:42,060 The future is never a done deal or a safe bet. 581 01:07:42,060 --> 01:07:44,410 And I'm using these cliches deliberately 582 01:07:44,410 --> 01:07:47,250 because the worst kind of future I could 583 01:07:47,250 --> 01:07:51,330 wish for you is one that's already spelled out, 584 01:07:51,330 --> 01:07:55,500 that is prescribed, or pre-determined. 585 01:07:55,500 --> 01:07:59,290 When I stepped onto the lawns as the English department's first 586 01:07:59,290 --> 01:08:03,900 female African-American full professor, 27 years ago-- 587 01:08:03,900 --> 01:08:05,860 [APPLAUSE] 588 01:08:05,860 --> 01:08:11,740 589 01:08:11,740 --> 01:08:15,310 I did not know that I would be speaking to you today. 590 01:08:15,310 --> 01:08:17,560 And yet, even at that time I had already 591 01:08:17,560 --> 01:08:20,310 progressed through luck and circumstance, and a bit of hard 592 01:08:20,310 --> 01:08:24,350 work beyond the wildest dreams of my childhood. 593 01:08:24,350 --> 01:08:27,399 When I was a child, if someone would have told me 594 01:08:27,399 --> 01:08:30,729 that one day I would dine with US presidents, 595 01:08:30,729 --> 01:08:34,300 and joke with Big Bird, I would have probably 596 01:08:34,300 --> 01:08:37,580 hidden myself in a thicket. 597 01:08:37,580 --> 01:08:40,510 So if you cannot imagine the future, 598 01:08:40,510 --> 01:08:43,210 how do you prepare for it? 599 01:08:43,210 --> 01:08:45,170 There are moments in life, and this 600 01:08:45,170 --> 01:08:47,870 might be one of those moments, that 601 01:08:47,870 --> 01:08:52,060 offer us multi-dimensional sense of time. 602 01:08:52,060 --> 01:08:56,439 The ability to see ahead, as well as look behind you. 603 01:08:56,439 --> 01:09:01,540 Assessing what has gone before, and reflecting upon 604 01:09:01,540 --> 01:09:04,810 what has led up to this instant, and what will hopefully 605 01:09:04,810 --> 01:09:06,920 spiral out of it. 606 01:09:06,920 --> 01:09:11,359 Poets call it 'the lyric moment.' Lyric, 607 01:09:11,359 --> 01:09:16,510 the word comes from the ancient Greek lyrikos, or lyre, 608 01:09:16,510 --> 01:09:21,640 the stringed musical instrument favored by poets of the day. 609 01:09:21,640 --> 01:09:26,229 The lyric moment, therefore, is one that sings. 610 01:09:26,229 --> 01:09:29,540 When emotions bubble up so thickly they cannot be 611 01:09:29,540 --> 01:09:33,580 contained in a paragraph, or captured with logic, 612 01:09:33,580 --> 01:09:36,250 or framed in a snapshot. 613 01:09:36,250 --> 01:09:39,880 And so this, my final wish for you, may 614 01:09:39,880 --> 01:09:45,620 you have many, many more moments that sing. 615 01:09:45,620 --> 01:09:50,290 And since I am foremost a poet, my passion, my 150%, 616 01:09:50,290 --> 01:09:54,580 I would be remiss if I didn't leave you with a poem. 617 01:09:54,580 --> 01:09:58,660 It is called "Testimonial," and to the Charlottesville Mural 618 01:09:58,660 --> 01:10:00,700 Project, it is scheduled to become 619 01:10:00,700 --> 01:10:05,470 part of the local urban scenery as a public work of art. 620 01:10:05,470 --> 01:10:11,290 So when in years to come, you return to Grounds as alumni, 621 01:10:11,290 --> 01:10:13,300 you can stroll down to the corner 622 01:10:13,300 --> 01:10:17,620 and find these words painted on the side of The Graduate Hotel, 623 01:10:17,620 --> 01:10:21,180 six stories high. 624 01:10:21,180 --> 01:10:26,580 Back when the earth was new and heaven just a whisper, 625 01:10:26,580 --> 01:10:31,470 back when the names of things hadn't had time to stick. 626 01:10:31,470 --> 01:10:36,180 Back when the smallest breezes melted summer into autumn, when 627 01:10:36,180 --> 01:10:41,310 all the Poplars quivered sweetly in rank and file, 628 01:10:41,310 --> 01:10:45,100 the world called and I answered. 629 01:10:45,100 --> 01:10:49,600 Each glance ignited to a gaze, I caught my breath 630 01:10:49,600 --> 01:10:51,540 and called that life. 631 01:10:51,540 --> 01:10:56,140 Swooned between spoonfuls of lemon sorbet. 632 01:10:56,140 --> 01:11:02,080 I was pure wet and flourish, I was filigree and flame. 633 01:11:02,080 --> 01:11:08,220 How could I count my blessings when I didn't know their names? 634 01:11:08,220 --> 01:11:12,160 Back when everything was still to come, 635 01:11:12,160 --> 01:11:15,870 luck leaked out everywhere. 636 01:11:15,870 --> 01:11:23,760 I gave my promise to the world, and the world followed me here. 637 01:11:23,760 --> 01:11:28,410 To the class of 2016, and all those 638 01:11:28,410 --> 01:11:35,332 who helped you get to here, congratulations, and wa-hoo-wa. 639 01:11:35,332 --> 01:11:37,164 [APPLAUSE] 640 01:11:37,164 --> 01:11:55,740 641 01:11:55,740 --> 01:11:59,110 Thank you so much, Professor Dove. 642 01:11:59,110 --> 01:12:01,170 And now the chair of the University 643 01:12:01,170 --> 01:12:04,340 of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Managers. 644 01:12:04,340 --> 01:12:11,927 645 01:12:11,927 --> 01:12:15,260 Congratulations, class of 2016. 646 01:12:15,260 --> 01:12:19,060 In a few short moments, you will become alumni 647 01:12:19,060 --> 01:12:22,630 of the University of Virginia. 648 01:12:22,630 --> 01:12:26,720 On behalf of our over 225,000 alumni, 649 01:12:26,720 --> 01:12:29,040 it is my privilege, and great honor 650 01:12:29,040 --> 01:12:31,140 to welcome you to our ranks. 651 01:12:31,140 --> 01:12:32,790 Welcome aboard. 652 01:12:32,790 --> 01:12:36,950 You will now officially bleed blue and orange. 653 01:12:36,950 --> 01:12:39,970 And you are a wahoo for life. 654 01:12:39,970 --> 01:12:41,290 [APPLAUSE] 655 01:12:41,290 --> 01:12:45,560 656 01:12:45,560 --> 01:12:49,550 Mr. Jefferson once asked, and I quote, "Do you 657 01:12:49,550 --> 01:12:52,410 want to know who you are?" 658 01:12:52,410 --> 01:12:54,760 Think about that question for a moment. 659 01:12:54,760 --> 01:12:57,050 Do you want to know who you are? 660 01:12:57,050 --> 01:12:58,280 His answer? 661 01:12:58,280 --> 01:13:00,980 Don't ask, but act. 662 01:13:00,980 --> 01:13:03,680 Don't ask, take action. 663 01:13:03,680 --> 01:13:07,350 Action will delineate and define you. 664 01:13:07,350 --> 01:13:10,160 Think about it for a moment. 665 01:13:10,160 --> 01:13:12,770 During your time on Grounds, it was your actions 666 01:13:12,770 --> 01:13:15,600 that defined who you were as a student, 667 01:13:15,600 --> 01:13:18,120 and as a member of the UVA community. 668 01:13:18,120 --> 01:13:20,960 Likewise, the actions you choose to take as alumni 669 01:13:20,960 --> 01:13:23,600 will define who you are as alumni. 670 01:13:23,600 --> 01:13:25,650 And in the future, your collective actions 671 01:13:25,650 --> 01:13:28,730 will help define the university itself. 672 01:13:28,730 --> 01:13:32,160 I quote an ancient Chinese proverb, 673 01:13:32,160 --> 01:13:36,320 "a man who waits for roast duck to fly into his mouth 674 01:13:36,320 --> 01:13:41,160 must wait for a very, very, very long time." 675 01:13:41,160 --> 01:13:43,140 So take action as alumni. 676 01:13:43,140 --> 01:13:45,930 And here are some thoughts on what you can do. 677 01:13:45,930 --> 01:13:49,490 Be active, informed, engaged, and caring alumni. 678 01:13:49,490 --> 01:13:52,620 Fortunately, you have a strong and vibrant Alumni Association 679 01:13:52,620 --> 01:13:54,410 to help you do so. 680 01:13:54,410 --> 01:13:56,450 Join the Alumni Association. 681 01:13:56,450 --> 01:14:00,450 Over half of the undergraduate class of 2016 682 01:14:00,450 --> 01:14:02,370 has already done so. 683 01:14:02,370 --> 01:14:06,740 Alumni Hall will always be your home away from home. 684 01:14:06,740 --> 01:14:10,970 Here's a challenge: make the class of 2016 685 01:14:10,970 --> 01:14:13,160 the best class the university has ever 686 01:14:13,160 --> 01:14:17,330 seen over it's nearly 200-year history. 687 01:14:17,330 --> 01:14:21,390 Come back to Charlottesville for reunions. 688 01:14:21,390 --> 01:14:24,410 Last year, a record 3,500 alumni came back 689 01:14:24,410 --> 01:14:26,240 for Young Alumni Weekend. 690 01:14:26,240 --> 01:14:29,240 Do me a big favor, shatter that attendance record 691 01:14:29,240 --> 01:14:32,640 this coming fall. 692 01:14:32,640 --> 01:14:36,140 Use career services to help you plan your careers, 693 01:14:36,140 --> 01:14:40,280 network with other alumni, and maybe even find your dream job. 694 01:14:40,280 --> 01:14:42,680 Your fellow alumni will help you. 695 01:14:42,680 --> 01:14:47,120 And remember to pay it forward, and help future alumni. 696 01:14:47,120 --> 01:14:50,490 Support your women's and men's athletic teams, 697 01:14:50,490 --> 01:14:53,550 celebrate the ballgame that I know Coach Mendenhall will 698 01:14:53,550 --> 01:14:55,040 lead us to this coming season. 699 01:14:55,040 --> 01:15:00,200 [CHEERING] 700 01:15:00,200 --> 01:15:01,700 And the Hokies? 701 01:15:01,700 --> 01:15:04,206 The Hokies are going down in November. 702 01:15:04,206 --> 01:15:08,180 703 01:15:08,180 --> 01:15:11,240 Go nuts with me next spring when Coach Bennett cuts down the net 704 01:15:11,240 --> 01:15:13,810 after the Hoo's won the NCAA basketball championship. 705 01:15:13,810 --> 01:15:15,674 [APPLAUSE] 706 01:15:15,674 --> 01:15:19,410 707 01:15:19,410 --> 01:15:21,850 And support UVA arts, come back in November, 708 01:15:21,850 --> 01:15:23,998 and attend the wonderful Virginia Film Festival. 709 01:15:23,998 --> 01:15:27,030 710 01:15:27,030 --> 01:15:29,880 Participate in Alumni Lifetime Learning Programs, 711 01:15:29,880 --> 01:15:31,920 we are students for life. 712 01:15:31,920 --> 01:15:36,630 Stay informed, read every page of the "Virginia Magazine." 713 01:15:36,630 --> 01:15:40,980 And in a few years, and in a very few years, some of you 714 01:15:40,980 --> 01:15:43,005 may have baby wahoos. 715 01:15:43,005 --> 01:15:48,470 716 01:15:48,470 --> 01:15:55,190 And those baby wahoos will turn into teenagers, God help you. 717 01:15:55,190 --> 01:15:58,940 And maybe they may just turn into a aspiring wahoos. 718 01:15:58,940 --> 01:16:01,160 Our Alumni Liaison Admissions program 719 01:16:01,160 --> 01:16:05,840 will do our best to help them become legacy wahoos. 720 01:16:05,840 --> 01:16:09,140 Your relationship with this university is just beginning. 721 01:16:09,140 --> 01:16:13,250 I hope you fully develop it over your life, 722 01:16:13,250 --> 01:16:15,890 and come to cherish that relationship. 723 01:16:15,890 --> 01:16:18,800 And remember Mr. Jefferson's advice. 724 01:16:18,800 --> 01:16:22,040 Your actions will define the persons you become, 725 01:16:22,040 --> 01:16:26,690 not only as alumni, but as citizens of our great country. 726 01:16:26,690 --> 01:16:30,200 Congratulations again, and best wishes for your future. 727 01:16:30,200 --> 01:16:31,116 Wa-hoo-wa. 728 01:16:31,116 --> 01:16:39,970 729 01:16:39,970 --> 01:16:42,096 The president of the university. 730 01:16:42,096 --> 01:16:43,485 [APPLAUSE] 731 01:16:43,485 --> 01:16:48,580 732 01:16:48,580 --> 01:16:50,170 Thank you, Mr. Harris. 733 01:16:50,170 --> 01:16:52,810 The university is fortunate to have 734 01:16:52,810 --> 01:16:58,660 so many loyal alumni who are dedicated to their Alma mater. 735 01:16:58,660 --> 01:17:00,400 Those of you who graduate today have 736 01:17:00,400 --> 01:17:05,200 benefited from the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends 737 01:17:05,200 --> 01:17:08,770 who make gifts to the university to improve the quality of life 738 01:17:08,770 --> 01:17:10,630 and learning here. 739 01:17:10,630 --> 01:17:13,060 Because of their generosity in recent years, 740 01:17:13,060 --> 01:17:19,000 we have wonderful new buildings, such as the South Lawn, Bavaro 741 01:17:19,000 --> 01:17:22,450 Hall, Rice Hall, Lacy Hall, Ruffin Hall, the Ruth Caplin 742 01:17:22,450 --> 01:17:26,221 Theater, and The Rotunda restoration. 743 01:17:26,221 --> 01:17:30,040 744 01:17:30,040 --> 01:17:33,550 We have wonderful programs, such as the College Arts Scholars, 745 01:17:33,550 --> 01:17:37,480 and the Cavalier Marching Band. 746 01:17:37,480 --> 01:17:40,480 Loyal donors have helped to make all of this possible 747 01:17:40,480 --> 01:17:42,250 in recent years. 748 01:17:42,250 --> 01:17:44,980 And you, yourselves have joined this tradition 749 01:17:44,980 --> 01:17:47,770 of giving through your class gift. 750 01:17:47,770 --> 01:17:51,430 More than 1,700 members of the fourth-year class 751 01:17:51,430 --> 01:17:57,490 contributed gifts or pledges totaling more than $530,000. 752 01:17:57,490 --> 01:17:59,380 In the College of Arts and Sciences, 753 01:17:59,380 --> 01:18:02,140 more than 960 students participated 754 01:18:02,140 --> 01:18:04,060 in the giving campaign. 755 01:18:04,060 --> 01:18:07,750 So thank you for the generosity you demonstrated, even 756 01:18:07,750 --> 01:18:09,201 before you left The Grounds. 757 01:18:09,201 --> 01:18:12,250 758 01:18:12,250 --> 01:18:16,540 The Raven Society is the oldest and most prestigious university 759 01:18:16,540 --> 01:18:18,280 organization. 760 01:18:18,280 --> 01:18:23,200 It recognizes scholarship and other contributions to life. 761 01:18:23,200 --> 01:18:27,550 With us today, our newly elected alumni members of The Raven 762 01:18:27,550 --> 01:18:33,010 Society, as well as two alumni receiving Raven awards, George 763 01:18:33,010 --> 01:18:35,530 Martin and Dr. Vivian Pinn. 764 01:18:35,530 --> 01:18:38,400 Will all those people please stand, and join me 765 01:18:38,400 --> 01:18:39,824 in applauding them. 766 01:18:39,824 --> 01:18:42,728 [APPLAUSE] 767 01:18:42,728 --> 01:18:50,970 768 01:18:50,970 --> 01:18:54,210 We commend you and thank you for your many contributions 769 01:18:54,210 --> 01:18:57,690 to the university. 770 01:18:57,690 --> 01:19:01,410 And now I'd like to share some observations about today's 771 01:19:01,410 --> 01:19:03,510 graduating students. 772 01:19:03,510 --> 01:19:05,460 There have been profiles of some of you 773 01:19:05,460 --> 01:19:09,870 on the university's website and in "The Cavalier Daily." 774 01:19:09,870 --> 01:19:11,580 These profiles highlight students 775 01:19:11,580 --> 01:19:13,710 working in disciplines as diverse 776 01:19:13,710 --> 01:19:18,390 as biology, economics, politics, art, religious studies, 777 01:19:18,390 --> 01:19:20,470 and sociology. 778 01:19:20,470 --> 01:19:24,480 I encourage you to read these remarkable stories. 779 01:19:24,480 --> 01:19:27,990 But each student today has his or her own story 780 01:19:27,990 --> 01:19:30,210 of hard work and achievement. 781 01:19:30,210 --> 01:19:33,780 We celebrate all of your stories today. 782 01:19:33,780 --> 01:19:37,410 And all of you can claim a special distinction. 783 01:19:37,410 --> 01:19:39,870 By choosing to study the Arts and Sciences, 784 01:19:39,870 --> 01:19:42,900 whether in college or in the graduate school, 785 01:19:42,900 --> 01:19:45,690 you affirm the truth that education in the liberal arts 786 01:19:45,690 --> 01:19:49,530 remains vital in the 21st century. 787 01:19:49,530 --> 01:19:53,160 A broad education in arts, sciences, social sciences, 788 01:19:53,160 --> 01:19:57,540 and humanities, teaches us to be critical thinkers. 789 01:19:57,540 --> 01:20:01,050 To be perceptive of the world around us. 790 01:20:01,050 --> 01:20:04,200 To write clearly and persuasively. 791 01:20:04,200 --> 01:20:06,660 And to integrate multiple perspectives 792 01:20:06,660 --> 01:20:10,680 before arriving at decisions. 793 01:20:10,680 --> 01:20:15,270 These broad skills, as much as any specialized technical 794 01:20:15,270 --> 01:20:17,730 skill, are fundamental to solving 795 01:20:17,730 --> 01:20:22,170 the complex global problems of the 21st century. 796 01:20:22,170 --> 01:20:24,450 You prepared yourself for that work 797 01:20:24,450 --> 01:20:28,920 by choosing arts and sciences. 798 01:20:28,920 --> 01:20:32,310 One group of today's graduates enjoys another distinction 799 01:20:32,310 --> 01:20:36,270 because they worked especially hard to complete their degrees 800 01:20:36,270 --> 01:20:37,680 early. 801 01:20:37,680 --> 01:20:40,980 102 students from the College of Arts and Sciences 802 01:20:40,980 --> 01:20:44,340 earned their baccalaureate degrees in three years, 803 01:20:44,340 --> 01:20:47,894 and three more college students did so in only two years. 804 01:20:47,894 --> 01:20:50,580 805 01:20:50,580 --> 01:20:52,770 In recognition of their effort, and as 806 01:20:52,770 --> 01:20:55,590 a symbol of their achievement, these students 807 01:20:55,590 --> 01:20:57,570 are wearing orange stoles today and I would 808 01:20:57,570 --> 01:20:59,100 like to ask them to stand up. 809 01:20:59,100 --> 01:21:01,560 [APPLAUSE] 810 01:21:01,560 --> 01:21:13,390 811 01:21:13,390 --> 01:21:15,340 Congratulations, and I welcome you 812 01:21:15,340 --> 01:21:19,270 to the Order of the Orange Stole. 813 01:21:19,270 --> 01:21:21,250 Yet another group of today's graduates 814 01:21:21,250 --> 01:21:23,740 has a particular distinction. 815 01:21:23,740 --> 01:21:28,090 260 students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences 816 01:21:28,090 --> 01:21:30,790 today are the first members of their families 817 01:21:30,790 --> 01:21:32,114 to graduate from college. 818 01:21:32,114 --> 01:21:33,476 [APPLAUSE] 819 01:21:33,476 --> 01:21:42,500 820 01:21:42,500 --> 01:21:45,350 We salute their commitment to education and their diligence 821 01:21:45,350 --> 01:21:47,990 in earning their degrees. 822 01:21:47,990 --> 01:21:50,780 Yet another measure of excellence of today's graduates 823 01:21:50,780 --> 01:21:52,850 is awards and scholarships. 824 01:21:52,850 --> 01:21:54,770 Graduating today from the college 825 01:21:54,770 --> 01:21:57,670 are a Rhodes scholar and a Rhodes finalist, 826 01:21:57,670 --> 01:22:01,010 six Fulbright scholars, a Truman scholar, 827 01:22:01,010 --> 01:22:04,490 two recipients of a Davis Projects For Peace award, 828 01:22:04,490 --> 01:22:07,850 and three finalists for The Marshall Scholarship. 829 01:22:07,850 --> 01:22:10,910 Three college degree candidates received university awards 830 01:22:10,910 --> 01:22:15,260 for projects in the arts, and 29 received Harrison undergraduate 831 01:22:15,260 --> 01:22:17,510 research awards. 832 01:22:17,510 --> 01:22:20,540 33 of these graduates participated in the Jefferson 833 01:22:20,540 --> 01:22:24,800 Public Citizens Program, three received Double Hoo research 834 01:22:24,800 --> 01:22:28,850 grants to allow undergraduate and graduate student teams 835 01:22:28,850 --> 01:22:30,890 to work together on research. 836 01:22:30,890 --> 01:22:33,680 And eight received community-based undergraduate 837 01:22:33,680 --> 01:22:36,290 research grants. 838 01:22:36,290 --> 01:22:39,620 Moreover, you have lived and learned 839 01:22:39,620 --> 01:22:42,770 in a truly global university. 840 01:22:42,770 --> 01:22:45,890 Nearly 1,000 of this weekend's graduating students 841 01:22:45,890 --> 01:22:48,860 came to UVA from other countries, 842 01:22:48,860 --> 01:22:51,300 bringing an international perspective, 843 01:22:51,300 --> 01:22:54,500 and enriching life for all of us. 844 01:22:54,500 --> 01:22:58,700 And many of our students represented UVA in the world 845 01:22:58,700 --> 01:23:01,220 beyond our serpentine walls. 846 01:23:01,220 --> 01:23:05,150 About 30% of this weekend's graduating undergraduate 847 01:23:05,150 --> 01:23:08,480 students participated in some form of education or research 848 01:23:08,480 --> 01:23:08,980 abroad. 849 01:23:08,980 --> 01:23:11,720 850 01:23:11,720 --> 01:23:15,980 And we know you are going forth to a wide range 851 01:23:15,980 --> 01:23:18,130 of post-graduation plans. 852 01:23:18,130 --> 01:23:21,770 Whether you're entering the workforce, engaging in service, 853 01:23:21,770 --> 01:23:24,950 or pursuing further education. 854 01:23:24,950 --> 01:23:27,230 The degree candidates from the graduate school 855 01:23:27,230 --> 01:23:30,890 have accepted professorships and post-doctoral appointments 856 01:23:30,890 --> 01:23:35,210 at many places, such as Duke University, Dartmouth, 857 01:23:35,210 --> 01:23:38,380 Vanderbilt, the University of Michigan, 858 01:23:38,380 --> 01:23:41,300 and the American Academy in Athens. 859 01:23:41,300 --> 01:23:43,850 Other degree candidates will go to work at organizations 860 01:23:43,850 --> 01:23:46,430 such as the New York City government, the Congressional 861 01:23:46,430 --> 01:23:50,210 Budget Office, the Pew Research Center, and the Max Planck 862 01:23:50,210 --> 01:23:53,150 Institute for Mathematics. 863 01:23:53,150 --> 01:23:56,960 Whatever your futures hold, graduates from The College 864 01:23:56,960 --> 01:23:58,940 and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 865 01:23:58,940 --> 01:24:02,870 are well-prepared to bring vision and leadership 866 01:24:02,870 --> 01:24:06,530 at every level of their careers, and communities they will 867 01:24:06,530 --> 01:24:09,410 enter when they leave here. 868 01:24:09,410 --> 01:24:11,780 Please join me in a round of applause 869 01:24:11,780 --> 01:24:13,586 for this entire accomplished class. 870 01:24:13,586 --> 01:24:15,976 [APPLAUSE] 871 01:24:15,976 --> 01:24:25,620 872 01:24:25,620 --> 01:24:29,464 All of today's degree candidates are listed in your program, 873 01:24:29,464 --> 01:24:31,380 including those who completed the requirements 874 01:24:31,380 --> 01:24:34,530 for their degrees in December, or last August. 875 01:24:34,530 --> 01:24:36,960 For the candidates from the College and Graduate School 876 01:24:36,960 --> 01:24:42,430 of Arts and Sciences, we will award 2,950 total degrees, 877 01:24:42,430 --> 01:24:48,480 including 2,576 bachelor's degrees, 213 master's degrees, 878 01:24:48,480 --> 01:24:52,680 and 161 PhDs. 879 01:24:52,680 --> 01:24:57,570 Now, under authority vested in the general faculty, 880 01:24:57,570 --> 01:25:02,850 and by it delegated to me, I will award the degrees. 881 01:25:02,850 --> 01:25:04,800 The dean of the College and Graduate School 882 01:25:04,800 --> 01:25:07,560 of Arts and Sciences will present the candidates 883 01:25:07,560 --> 01:25:09,840 for degrees. 884 01:25:09,840 --> 01:25:11,880 Immediately after these exercises, 885 01:25:11,880 --> 01:25:16,380 department graduation ceremonies will take place around grounds. 886 01:25:16,380 --> 01:25:20,580 The locations are listed near the back of the finals program. 887 01:25:20,580 --> 01:25:24,350 The ceremonies will be held in their fair-weather locations. 888 01:25:24,350 --> 01:25:31,780 [CHEERING] 889 01:25:31,780 --> 01:25:35,966 The executive vice president and provost of the university. 890 01:25:35,966 --> 01:25:39,940 891 01:25:39,940 --> 01:25:43,480 The dean of the College and Graduate School 892 01:25:43,480 --> 01:25:44,370 of Arts and Sciences. 893 01:25:44,370 --> 01:25:50,860 894 01:25:50,860 --> 01:25:54,130 The candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 895 01:25:54,130 --> 01:25:56,340 will please rise and remain standing. 896 01:25:56,340 --> 01:25:58,840 [APPLAUSE] 897 01:25:58,840 --> 01:26:03,040 898 01:26:03,040 --> 01:26:06,940 Madam President, as dean of the College and Graduate School 899 01:26:06,940 --> 01:26:09,520 of Arts and Sciences, I have the honor 900 01:26:09,520 --> 01:26:11,530 to present these candidates, who have 901 01:26:11,530 --> 01:26:14,442 fulfilled the requirements for the degree of Doctor 902 01:26:14,442 --> 01:26:15,025 of Philosophy. 903 01:26:15,025 --> 01:26:17,286 [APPLAUSE] 904 01:26:17,286 --> 01:26:22,730 905 01:26:22,730 --> 01:26:26,750 I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 906 01:26:26,750 --> 01:26:28,610 with all the rights and privileges 907 01:26:28,610 --> 01:26:30,530 there unto belonging. 908 01:26:30,530 --> 01:26:34,320 I welcome you to the ancient and universal company of scholars. 909 01:26:34,320 --> 01:26:35,820 [APPLAUSE] 910 01:26:35,820 --> 01:26:41,820 911 01:26:41,820 --> 01:26:46,320 The Doctors of Philosophy will please be seated. 912 01:26:46,320 --> 01:26:49,290 The candidates for the degrees of Master of Arts, 913 01:26:49,290 --> 01:26:53,670 Master of Arts and Physics Education, Master of Fine Arts, 914 01:26:53,670 --> 01:26:56,490 Master of Public Health, and Master of Science, 915 01:26:56,490 --> 01:26:58,580 will please rise and remain standing. 916 01:26:58,580 --> 01:27:00,080 [APPLAUSE] 917 01:27:00,080 --> 01:27:04,410 918 01:27:04,410 --> 01:27:06,540 Madam President, I have the honor 919 01:27:06,540 --> 01:27:08,820 to present these candidates, who have fulfilled 920 01:27:08,820 --> 01:27:11,550 the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts, 921 01:27:11,550 --> 01:27:15,570 Master of Arts and Physics Education, Master of Fine Arts, 922 01:27:15,570 --> 01:27:19,950 Master of Public Health, or Master of Science. 923 01:27:19,950 --> 01:27:22,950 I confer upon you the appropriate master's degree, 924 01:27:22,950 --> 01:27:24,750 with all the rights and privileges 925 01:27:24,750 --> 01:27:26,940 there unto pertaining. 926 01:27:26,940 --> 01:27:29,070 I charge you to apply the knowledge 927 01:27:29,070 --> 01:27:31,620 you have gained in ways that advance 928 01:27:31,620 --> 01:27:34,320 social good and humane values. 929 01:27:34,320 --> 01:27:36,174 [APPLAUSE] 930 01:27:36,174 --> 01:27:40,386 931 01:27:40,386 --> 01:27:44,220 The Masters of Arts, Masters of Arts and Physics Education, 932 01:27:44,220 --> 01:27:47,040 Masters of Fine Arts, Masters of Public Health, 933 01:27:47,040 --> 01:27:49,090 and Masters of Science will please be seated. 934 01:27:49,090 --> 01:27:51,720 935 01:27:51,720 --> 01:27:55,140 The candidates for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, 936 01:27:55,140 --> 01:27:58,710 or Bachelor of Science, in the College of Arts and Sciences, 937 01:27:58,710 --> 01:28:00,950 will please rise and remain standing. 938 01:28:00,950 --> 01:28:03,450 [APPLAUSE] 939 01:28:03,450 --> 01:28:14,760 940 01:28:14,760 --> 01:28:17,340 Madam President, I have the honor 941 01:28:17,340 --> 01:28:21,690 to present these candidates who have fulfilled the requirements 942 01:28:21,690 --> 01:28:24,762 for the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. 943 01:28:24,762 --> 01:28:27,870 944 01:28:27,870 --> 01:28:31,740 I confer upon you the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor 945 01:28:31,740 --> 01:28:34,710 of Science with all the rights and privileges 946 01:28:34,710 --> 01:28:37,380 there unto belonging, and welcome you 947 01:28:37,380 --> 01:28:41,040 to the fellowship of educated women and men. 948 01:28:41,040 --> 01:28:44,040 I charge you to apply the principles of truth 949 01:28:44,040 --> 01:28:48,000 in discourse, of rigor in inquiry, 950 01:28:48,000 --> 01:28:51,420 and of pursuit of excellence in your lives, 951 01:28:51,420 --> 01:28:55,590 in your professions, and in your engagement with the cultures 952 01:28:55,590 --> 01:28:58,260 in which you will live. 953 01:28:58,260 --> 01:29:01,350 The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science 954 01:29:01,350 --> 01:29:03,450 will please be seated. 955 01:29:03,450 --> 01:29:05,450 [APPLAUSE] 956 01:29:05,450 --> 01:29:28,990 957 01:29:28,990 --> 01:29:32,080 So a few closing remarks for the graduating students. 958 01:29:32,080 --> 01:29:37,960 959 01:29:37,960 --> 01:29:40,370 Today you complete a portion of your life 960 01:29:40,370 --> 01:29:42,080 when you have lived in this community 961 01:29:42,080 --> 01:29:45,770 and learned on these grounds. 962 01:29:45,770 --> 01:29:47,330 In the course of your lives, you will 963 01:29:47,330 --> 01:29:51,800 belong to other communities and cultures. 964 01:29:51,800 --> 01:29:55,070 Each will have its own values and customs. 965 01:29:55,070 --> 01:29:58,220 I hope you will take with you as you leave here, the values that 966 01:29:58,220 --> 01:29:59,840 have distinguished you as students 967 01:29:59,840 --> 01:30:02,840 at the University of Virginia. 968 01:30:02,840 --> 01:30:05,570 Most of us experience times in our lives 969 01:30:05,570 --> 01:30:07,190 when it might be easiest to follow 970 01:30:07,190 --> 01:30:10,970 the path of self-interest, to keep quiet 971 01:30:10,970 --> 01:30:16,400 when truth is obscured, to avoid participating in the fray. 972 01:30:16,400 --> 01:30:18,320 And in these times you may be tempted 973 01:30:18,320 --> 01:30:22,460 to compromise your values, to argue the easy point rather 974 01:30:22,460 --> 01:30:25,910 than the valid point, and to follow blindly 975 01:30:25,910 --> 01:30:29,300 rather than to lead boldly. 976 01:30:29,300 --> 01:30:31,910 At these times, consider the three creations 977 01:30:31,910 --> 01:30:33,650 for which the university's founder 978 01:30:33,650 --> 01:30:35,750 wished to be remembered. 979 01:30:35,750 --> 01:30:39,470 Virginia's bill for establishing religious freedom, 980 01:30:39,470 --> 01:30:44,240 the Declaration of Independence, and the University of Virginia. 981 01:30:44,240 --> 01:30:46,140 [CHEERING] 982 01:30:46,140 --> 01:30:51,380 983 01:30:51,380 --> 01:30:54,760 Recall that each of them came about as a result 984 01:30:54,760 --> 01:30:59,680 of perseverance, sacrifice, and a personal commitment 985 01:30:59,680 --> 01:31:02,710 to enduring values. 986 01:31:02,710 --> 01:31:04,750 If we have done right by you, you 987 01:31:04,750 --> 01:31:09,010 have already absorbed some of Mr. Jefferson's qualities 988 01:31:09,010 --> 01:31:13,390 of tough-mindedness, optimism, and determination 989 01:31:13,390 --> 01:31:14,250 to effect change. 990 01:31:14,250 --> 01:31:15,850 [INAUDIBLE] 991 01:31:15,850 --> 01:31:21,250 Now as you go, cultivate in yourselves the tenacity 992 01:31:21,250 --> 01:31:24,730 to hold elected officials, and yourselves as well, 993 01:31:24,730 --> 01:31:26,790 to strict account. 994 01:31:26,790 --> 01:31:28,840 Engage in the political process that 995 01:31:28,840 --> 01:31:34,300 builds durable and systematic change when changes do. 996 01:31:34,300 --> 01:31:36,370 Work as educated citizens to protect 997 01:31:36,370 --> 01:31:40,030 individual freedom, your own and the freedom of people 998 01:31:40,030 --> 01:31:42,340 who depend upon you. 999 01:31:42,340 --> 01:31:45,430 Contribute to the work that is essential to sustaining 1000 01:31:45,430 --> 01:31:48,120 a democracy. 1001 01:31:48,120 --> 01:31:52,480 And in all that you do, commit yourselves and your fortunes 1002 01:31:52,480 --> 01:31:55,090 to the common good. 1003 01:31:55,090 --> 01:31:58,460 These are our fondest hopes for you. 1004 01:31:58,460 --> 01:32:00,898 Godspeed, and God bless you. 1005 01:32:00,898 --> 01:32:09,580 [APPLAUSE] 1006 01:32:09,580 --> 01:32:13,960 Department ceremonies will begin after graduates 1007 01:32:13,960 --> 01:32:18,070 and their guests have ample time to reach their ceremony sites. 1008 01:32:18,070 --> 01:32:22,540 If your ceremony is scheduled to begin at one o'clock or sooner, 1009 01:32:22,540 --> 01:32:26,920 please proceed directly to your ceremony venue. 1010 01:32:26,920 --> 01:32:28,750 And now will the graduates please 1011 01:32:28,750 --> 01:32:31,180 stand for singing of "The Good Old Song." 1012 01:32:31,180 --> 01:32:35,080 [CHEERING] 1013 01:32:35,080 --> 01:32:37,180 [MUSIC - "THE GOOD OLD SONG"] 1014 01:32:37,180 --> 01:33:17,680 1015 01:33:17,680 --> 01:33:28,480 [CHEERING] 1016 01:33:28,480 --> 01:33:30,580 [MUSIC PLAYING] 1017 01:33:30,580 --> 01:36:10,780 1018 01:36:10,780 --> 01:36:12,280 [CHATTER] 1019 01:36:12,280 --> 01:36:35,980 1020 01:36:35,980 --> 01:36:37,780 I bet I could [? buy ?] you. 1021 01:36:37,780 --> 01:36:39,280 No, but it wouldn't be real. 1022 01:36:39,280 --> 01:36:40,780 [INAUDIBLE] 1023 01:36:40,780 --> 01:36:42,580 [CHATTER] 1024 01:36:42,580 --> 01:36:52,480 1025 01:36:52,480 --> 01:36:56,080 You got to wait till the end, though. 1026 01:36:56,080 --> 01:36:57,280 [INAUDIBLE] 1027 01:36:57,280 --> 01:37:00,580 [CHATTER] 1028 01:37:00,580 --> 01:37:02,980 You want us to take these tags on out? 1029 01:37:02,980 --> 01:37:05,980 Yeah, that'd be fine. 1030 01:37:05,980 --> 01:37:08,080 What about the [INAUDIBLE]? 1031 01:37:08,080 --> 01:37:12,280 [CHATTER] 1032 01:37:12,280 --> 01:37:14,380 [SILENCE] 1033 01:37:14,380 --> 01:38:07,480 1034 01:38:07,480 --> 01:38:08,380 [MUSIC PLAYING] 1035 01:38:08,380 --> 01:38:09,580 [SILENCE] 1036 01:38:09,580 --> 01:38:13,480 1037 01:38:13,480 --> 01:38:16,830 [MUSIC PLAYING] 1038 01:38:16,830 --> 01:39:31,103