My Student Greeter Speech
Olin Commencement 2008
I remember a day, years ago when I was sitting in the cafeteria with my entire 7th grade class. We were all at different tables, eating lunch, probably talking about how cool the cool kids were and how lame those lame kids were. Standard stuff.
Anyway, during this particular lunch period, one of the teachers walked to the front of the room, and very angrily yelled for everyone to be quiet. I thought it was weird that he didn't give a reason, so naturally, I asked "why?"
I had never been to the principal's office before this, so I consider the incident to be a good learning experience. In response to my question, my teacher taught me a new word: "Insolence - contemptuously rude behavior or speech" And by taught I mean he yelled it at me, along with "go to the office."
Fast forward to today, and here I am with my entire senior class. We are under this big ol' tent, wearing these ridiculous gowns, getting ready to receive our ABET-approved engineering diplomas. Standard stuff. Except now I'm the one up front, making everyone else be quiet. So let me tell you why.
I guess I should talk about our journey together. The 4 years, 120 credits, and $200000 worth of free tuition that got us here today. Well I can sum up that experience in two words: it's over. I hope everyone had a good time, but on Monday, we all get kicked out, so you better be packed.
One of our professors, I can't remember his name*, taught us that pretty much everything is like a bathtub. So if we think of Olin as a bathtub, then the students would be like water, and the senior class is circling the drain. Once we graduate, we will be flowing out, down some dark pipe clogged with hair… Well this metaphor is sort of falling apart, but the point I am trying to make is that the future is uncertain, and sometimes that can be scary.
Alan Kay once said that the only way to predict the future is to invent it. Anything is possible, but most of the time we find comfort in trimming the wild tree of possibilities down to just a handful of choices. Should I go to grad school or get a job? Should I live on the east coast or the west coast? Sometimes these choices are easy to make, but what happens if you can't decide? What if both options are good? What if they both suck**?
When you find yourself unable to choose, don't forget that you can always step back and start asking questions. Why do I even need to make this choice? Aren't there other options?
At the very least you will become more informed, and you'll be able to make a better decision. But if people start telling you that "this is just the way it is," then you know you are right to question your options and invent your own choice.
Presidents don't have to be white men, cars don't have to run on gas, and engineering schools don't have to be big and boring. Question the status quo, and you might just make a better future.
So remember: On one hand you have chocolate, and on the other hand you have vanilla. I'm telling you: whoever invented "swirl" was a genius. No question about it.
* The professor is well known at Olin for not remembering students' names, so I took this opportunity to return the favor on behalf of the student body.
** My mom was disappointed that I "swore"