[The following a copy of my welcome for the SLIS Hooding Ceremony]
Welcome all. Graduation represents a moment in time. It is a moment of gratitude. Graduates, I ask you to take a moment to recognize those who helped you get to this point, be they in the audience or on this stage.
One person I know I am grateful is my predecessor Dr. Sam Hastings who has sent the following message:
Dear Graduates,
I am so sorry to miss this great event but wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and sending buckets of congratulations! We are very proud of you and know that you will do great things in your lives. Of course, we expect you to protect everyone’s right to read and get the information they need to be free and productive. Your degree puts you in the elite group of Americans with master’s degrees. 16 % of our population. So go forth, remember that you will always have a home with us and as our alumni, you have earned the right to be a little “Cocky!” I hope you and your families enjoy today.
All the best,
Dr. Sam
This is also a moment for us to express our gratitude for you. You are entering professions with skills that span from storytime and the preservation of our history to the support of mankind’s exploration of the universe. What’s more you do this at a time of great change and great need. And for that we are grateful, for indeed at this time our society needs you more than ever.