December Graduates' Recognition Celebration
Saturday, December 15, 2007

Remarks: John M. Hughes, Senior Vice President and Provost

Good morning. I am pleased to welcome you today, and honored to offer my sincerest congratulations to our graduates. You have persevered, and accomplished much, and now you are prepared to go forth from the University of Vermont.

A little over one year ago I stood before you for the first time as I spoke at the convocation marking the opening of your Junior year at our University. In that message I spoke of the remarkable privilege afforded to all of you who attend an institution of higher education in the United States, a privilege that places you among the top 1/100th of 1% among citizens of the world. It is a remarkable privilege, and one that comes with the responsibility to act upon the privilege.

I also spoke of the charge that my generation leaves you. There are so many issues facing the world that we tried to address, and in some we succeeded and in many we failed. I ask that you take up the banner and continue, with the same fervor displayed by my generation, to make the world a much better, safer, and cleaner place for all its citizens. You may not start on a global scale, but your efforts will indeed make a difference. You begin your task by being among the 99.99th percentile in education among the citizens of the world; please cherish that remarkable gift. It is now time to use it… and use it wisely.

I offer my heartfelt best wishes as you leave the University of Vermont.

Last modified February 07 2008 03:27 PM