Before I
I would like to make
begin,
a
dedication. I wish to dedi
URl students who died this them and to their parents and
cate this commencement to the seven
academic year. I dedicate to friends. Three of these studcnls
to
were
with
graduate
this
us
afternoon. And, if I could, I would like to add a close friend of mine who passed away this week in an auto accident and wanted be here
to
happy
and
today. I say this joyous occasion,
how fortunate
we
bring us down on this very perhaps, only lo acknowledge today.
not to
but
be here
are to
We have learned the value of total education that the party, friends, and our social life can be as effective teachers as the classroom.
our
And
have learned that when the
we
However,
learned
we
a
bit
lo speak before my fellow classmates, might be one of the toughest assignments I've had during my stay at URl. There are many topics to touch upon, and I would enjoy discussing
them all.
The education students will
However, 1 have narrowed my theme lo three fundamental ques tions, which i hope will make us think aboul our college educa tion and
I propose to you today the questions: Who is the class of 1977'? What could we have learned? And where are we going? Who are
our
political
our
education.
science students will have learned how
our
govern
works and doesn'l work.
ment
the
as
The
history student
pitfalls
the merits
graduate realizing
as
of the American educational system.
well
will become
great, yet, sometimes
future.
our
legislature decreases
in turn, decreases
of
more.
The
Now,
state
the University budget, the university, personal budget, by increasing the cost
of
more aware
disheartening
American
our
sometimes
history.
The business student may become more attuned lo the pros well as the cons of our capitalist free market system.
as
we? The
Well, statistically, one
third of
most
us come
of
us
are
Rhode Islanders, and about
from outside the state.
nursing student will have learned the importance of hu patient care, but acknowledge the inability of many hospitals and agencies lo deliver that care. manistic
The
basically a young group of people. However, our class touch of distinction. There are many faces out there today that include veterans of the Vietnam War, people whose educa We
arc
has
a
was put off after graduating from high school. There are others that voluntarily worked for several years before beginning
tion
a
college education. And, there are still others among completed their degree on a part-time basis.
us
who
Also, this graduating class, might students,
those who have been
or
lo
can
to
continue.
My point is
that
we
be critical thinkers while at URI that
discriminate rather than
If this is true than
wc
to
have
hopefully
have learned
wc
accept.
have learned that education is
a
creative
process, that it is participatory and that it involves both ihe teacher and the student. John Dewey once wrote, "F.ducation is
social process, education is growth. Education is not prepara tion for life, bul rather education is life iLself.
a
have
be marked
list
learned
by minority culturally disadvantaged or more
impoverished. a diverse cross section. Many of us may be generation graduates, and others may be second, third or even fourth generation. No matter what the situation, this, my fellow students, is indeed a compliment to ourselves and lo our parents. For together, it has been our hard labors and hard earned incomes which has afforded many of us the opportunity to be here today. We, and especially our parents should be proud.
The class of '77 has
It is these aspects of the educational process that we will carry forth with us. 1 hope wc have learned that the manner in which we deal with education and our future is more important than the
degree
or
piece
of paper
we
receive
today.
first
If I have answered, in a say we have learned
we
We have
certainly
For instance,
wc
been
way who URl?
general at
we
are,
then what
and the person is not."
can
If you are accu.sed of accusation to take
taught
a
to
carry that
If
we
to
its
one
great deal.
have learned what il is lo wait in line,
on
Gregory puts it, "If you have to depend upon education lo gain respect, something is radically wrong. The really important lesson lo learn in life is that it is in the person who should be respected nol one's education. A person has gained nothing in life if his/her education is respected
an
matter what the occasion
We have learned that
As humanistic Dick
from the
registrar's
weekends URI
packs
to
the
no
pub.
owning
have learned that the solution lo
acknowledgement,
own
then
a
conflict is
possibly
we
a
are
tantamount
moving
one
step further toward a more socially responsible and ethical society, a society that has the potential to evolve through our
up and goes home.
We have learned that there can be an extra cost in car at URl, that of ticketing and towing.
being a critical thinker, this is certainly pride in. Yet. hopefully we have learned step further. Hopefully we have learned to act.
own
individual
thoughts
and actions.
a
In essence, our thoughts and actions will exist as a moral force, that can be called our own. Yes, I will be the first to admit
one
(and yes, perhaps like mom's home cooking.
We have learned,
hall food is
282
nol
the hard
way,)
that
dining
that these whether
are
or
idealistic words but their
nol we
keep
in mind
.
.
.
reality
will
depend
upon