We don’t have time to examine each part of this packed declaration but
I want to invite you to listen to the statement carefully tomorrow and let its
meaning settle in your hearts and minds. It is a kind of blessing – another form
of, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is the Commonwealth, the Board
of Trustees, the faculty and staff, embracing you and shaking your hand.
My topic this evening is “purposefulness.” I invite you to consider
purposefulness in two ways, each having two dimensions. The first I have
mentioned already – that purposefulness has both individual and communal
dimensions. The second way is that purposefulness can (and I think should) be
both focused and open. I’ll consider first the individual and shared dimensions.
Graduates, you set a goal for yourselves to earn a college degree. With this
purpose in mind you enrolled in college, picked a major, filled out a “roadmap
to graduation,” completed the requirements along the way, and now find
yourselves about 14 hours away from receiving your diploma. You are fulfilling
your dream. Well done!
In fulfilling this goal, you are also fulfilling a goal others have held for you.
Parents and family members, have you wanted to see your student
graduate from college? How long have you held that goal? Their whole lives?
Graduates, please take a look at your supporters – your parents and
family who have wished for you the accomplishment you are achieving. Your
achievement is their achievement also. You are fulfilling their dreams as well
as your own. Well done.
Faculty and staff, Board members and Alumni Association representatives,
have you had a goal of seeing these students graduate? How long have you had
that goal? For as long as you have known these students?
Graduates, please take a look at your Bryn Athyn College support
team who have wished and worked ardently for your success, challenging
you, prescribing requirements for you, comforting you, and cheering your
accomplishments. You are fulfilling their dreams as well as your own. Well
done.
We see represented in this room that purpose has both individual and
communal dimensions.
In add ition to balancing individual and communal roles in purposefulness,
we can consider also the balance between focus and openness in our sense of
purpose.
Graduating from college is an identifiable goal that is obvious both when
it is a dream and when it is accomplished. There’s a natural focus about it. I
wonder, though, if you also experienced moments when your focus shifted,
or turned in a new direction. It could be that you encountered something
unexpected and compelling – so compelling that it actually changed your plan.
Consider the image of the astronaut on the moon. This image is an example
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