How to Humble a Grad on Commencement Day
Imagine that you're a 2011 graduate of Hampshire College, a school popular with intellectual do-gooders. On May 21, the only things standing between you and your upcoming Peace Corps mission were a few commencement speeches that—you were willing to bet your Mexican raffia tote on this—were going to tell you to "dream big," embrace challenge" and "not be afraid of failure." You barely caught the introduction of the staff speaker, Roberta Tudryn, the beloved cashier who's worked in the school dining commons for 30 years. Then you tuned in to her words:
My being here so long has a lot to do with the students that pass by me every day. They say their hellos, tell their stories and their jokes, their problems and even their excuses. I feel like the mother away from home for some of you, and I love it. ... I have come to realize that what you bring is very important to my health and happy life. ... I have a special nickname I call Hampshire College. I call it 'Happy College' [here she smiled and clapped gleefully] because of all the happiness you bring to me.
previous post
Advertisement
about Life Lift
The Oprah blog is a place where you can find engaging news coverage, fresh inspiration, and the straight talk you've come to count on. A place that
provides the tools you need to make a change—if not in the world—then at
least in your little corner of it. It's a place that will raise your energy, lower your blood pressure and
occasionally make you laugh—in short, a place of possibility.
topics
Advertisement
Advertisement
contributors
archived posts
