CHARGE TO THE WHITTIER COLLEGE CLASS OF 2015
May 15, 2015
President Sharon Herzberger
Congratulations, Poets!
I can’t begin to estimate the number of times you walked through the Campus Center during your time here on campus – whether to grab a snack, meet friends, get your résumé in order, or just check your mailbox. I hope, as you went about your tasks, you at least once in a while glanced at the lines of poetry engraved in that space.
You would find poetry in many languages, representing the breadth of education you have received here. Of course, there is a famous line from our namesake, John Greenleaf Whittier.
But one of my favorites comes from the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept & I dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted, and behold, service was joy.”
The Quakers teach us to “let our lives speak” and, students, we have worked hard to pass along that lesson to you. From what I can see, we have succeeded and so will you.
You have learned to respect people of all backgrounds and to work together to find common ground. You have learned to lead others with integrity and dedication. And you have served this community in so many ways – through mentoring others, heading clubs and organizations, producing original scholarship, creating art, entertaining us through theater and song, and giving your all on the playing fields – and I hope you already have found much joy in letting your lives speak in this way.
As you leave this place, I charge you to remember the values you have assimilated at this venerable college. You were privileged to attend Whittier, and we certainly have been privileged to know you. Never forget those who started you on your way.
I congratulate you – the graduates of the Class of 2015.
