learning drives a positive attitude, which is invaluable. Most other people
really do want to work and build teams with nice, friendly, positive, easy-toget-along-with people. This isn’t a substitute for hard work, but combine the
spiritual best practices you learned here with a little work ethic – that’s gold.
That’s what I mean by a competitive advantage. Because you really
understand these life skills – this attitude thing – at a deeper level, you’re in a
better position to apply it and truly benefit.
The cliché in these kinds of speeches is to tell the graduates to go out and
do something useful and meaningful, and make the world a better place. I’m
not going to do that, because given what I know this school is all about, I
suspect that’s already in your plan. What differentiates you is that I believe
you’re ready and uniquely qualified to actually execute on that mission.
Congratulations, Class of 2014, and good luck!
Valedictory
T
he valedictorian for the Bryn Athyn College graduates
was Hyunook Suh from Asan, South Korea, who
graduated cum laude, with an Interdisciplinary Degree
in Mathematics and Philosophy. Following
are excerpts from his valedictory, which was
What truly
greeted with a standing ovation:
distinguishes us is that
The Academy of the New Church and Bryn
the College’s spiritual
Athyn College were founded 137 years ago on
the profound truth that a spiritual education
education has laid
is foundational to human happiness and
the foundations of
flourishing.
virtue and character
Today, we have gathered to celebrate
within the hearts of
the enduring success and importance of
the Academy and the College’s mission by
every graduate.
honoring the achievements of 47 extraordinary
–Hyunook Suh
individuals.
As graduates of Bryn Athyn College,
we possess the technical skills, the broad,
interdisciplinary perspective and the creativity that come from a stellar liberal
arts education.
However, what truly distinguishes us is that the College’s spiritual
education has laid the foundations of virtue and character within the hearts
of every graduate. Within the hearts of every graduate, you will find engraved
the truth and wisdom of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. You will find a
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