Day Seventy-Eight: GRADUATION

Caitlin H.

June 14, 2010 - 9:00 PM

Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go. - Dr. Suess

224 credits, 2 majors, 2 minors, 5 years and I can finally say I DID IT! Today is the day I graduated from the University of Oregon.

As I close this chapter of my life to begin a new journey, I wish to take some time to reflect.

When I first came to the University of Oregon, I was asked what ‘mountains I would move.' The motto of the University: Mens agitat molem stands for: Minds Move Mountains. I didn't have an answer then...I'm not sure if I have an answer now.

But thinking back to graduation, I'm sure my mountains will rise before me, and I'm sure I am capable of rising to the occasion. The University of Oregon did that for me. I'd like to pursue justice in the environment. I'd like to pursue equality in education. I'd like to pursue community issues and generating positive development. When I came to the University of Oregon I wasn't sure I saw any mountains I wanted to move. And now, I see many mountains, and I desire to scale all of them.

Today was a wonderful celebration. I'm proud of my time as a Duck. In many ways, I'm sad to see it come to an end. As a Duck I've attended countless celebrations of the arts... and athletics, I've traveled to another continent for my studies and back again, I've learned skills I never thought I would learn, and found new interests I never knew I had, public speaking actually became fun, and I've been challenged to grow. It's safe to say, I'm going to miss this place.

Now though, the whole world is before me. This is my time to rise and shine. Eugene, I'll be back one day - and as I was asked to do at graduation today, I will have done my part to change the world. Because I leave the University of Oregon with a unique set of skills that makes me qualified and driven to make a difference. Because I leave the University of Oregon with a renewed sense of purpose. Because I leave the University of Oregon reminded that I want to be a giver, not a taker.

Kid, you'll move mountains! ...you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way! -Dr. Suess