President Adams, distinguished faculty and staff, honored guests and friends and about-to-be graduates, it is indeed a great honor to celebrate this most significant of days with you.

However, I do recognize that I stand before you today much like a contestant on American Idol: with some experience, a lot of heart, and hoping that you won’t vote me off before I can finish my remarks! I am, of course, referring to the fact that speaking to this group of outstanding soon-to-be graduates today brings some added pressures. According to the student newspaper, my challenge is clearly to say something interesting enough just to keep you awake. They did, however, correctly assess that the half life of my remarks will probably be 15 minutes, at best.

So, I’ll strive to keep my comments brief and interesting enough that most of you will -- I hope --still be awake when I conclude! What I simply want to do is to give a few thanks and then note some challenges that you, as new graduates will face as you enter your chosen professions. Then, I will get out of here quickly!

So, with that agenda, congratulations first -- not to the honored guests, but to those who got our honored guests here … parents, spouses, friends, significant others, relatives, associates, mentors, professors, advisors, and on and on -- that whole panoply of intricate support relationships upon which so many of us depend today. To you I say well done and thanks. Wish these graduates well and challenge them to make you proud, to make us all proud, of their achievements and in all of their future endeavors and journeys.

Now, of course, I want to congratulate UGA’s graduating class of 2007 -- all 3,780 of you. In just a few short years -- admittedly longer for some than others -- you’ve undergone an evolution. Yesterday the administration called you a University of Georgia student. Today they will be calling you “valued” UGA alumni. And, if history is any guide, on Monday they’ll be calling you for contributions. But, now, at this moment, celebrate as you graduate and commence the next phases of your lives. You have completed what you set out to do.

Most of you have either adeptly prepared for your first professional position or for advancement in an already established career. For some, the process may have involved changing majors several times. For others it may have been an extraordinary effort to balance financial and personal issues with the ever-present priority of academic achievement. But, in any case, you are now ready for all kinds of bigger and better things.

There are not many absolutes in life, but I am certain of one thing: Each of you is an achiever … a survivor. And you will need those skills in the future. In fact, we all need real-life survival skills to exist in today’s world.

The world today is a world far, far different and, in many ways, more challenging and complex than the world your parents and I entered into.

It’s a world where: We are all crying out for politicians to discuss substantive issues, yet we tend to turn our backs on those that do.

A world where: We are willing to pay people more to take care of our cars than our children.
While, at the same time, we wonder why both are breaking down with increasing frequency.

A world where: People are paid not to grow crops, yet most of the world goes to bed hungry every night.

A world where: Some live in million-dollar homes and others live in subway stations.

We live in a country that is filled with irony and challenge. A country where technology is moving us ahead quickly … yet a place where many are just as quickly being left behind. A country where a surprising number of people in our workforces can’t read. A country where our children think Brazil is a European nation. A country known as a melting pot, yet a place where we still can’t seem to effectively mix.

I would mention our continuing struggle with drugs, teenage pregnancy and AIDS … but someone might say I’m a pessimist. And I’m not. I am, in fact, optimistic. I know that as our problems grow, our commitment to solving them is growing, as well. We, as Americans, are heirs to a pioneering spirit. We are a people of unbounded zeal and unlimited expectations. And, those unlimited expectations are for you -- my young friends -- to fulfill.

Just when you thought you had taken your last exam, just when you thought you could rest on your laurels, you now have the problems of your life and of our society to face and solve. Regardless of your degree field, your skin color or your gender, your education should now enable you to participate wisely in society as a competent professional and as a knowledgeable citizen.

You leave UGA with some unique and valuable skill sets. You possess many of the skills our society needs to keep moving forward. Your degrees give you that rare ability, the wherewithal to make yourself truly indispensable -- not irreplaceable, but indispensable. Use that ability wisely and use it well. And thank this great university for helping you develop it.

Now, the time has come for me to stop and for you to go forth and make the contributions that society will demand of you. I want to close, however, by dwelling on the true significance of this day. For today is a significant day. Not because you will party this evening -- or continue the one from last night. And not because it marks the end of a journey …but because it marks the beginning of your new or renewed professional career. After today, you are no longer just a hope. You are no longer just a potential. After today, you are also an investment -- an investment not only by your families, or by yourself, or in some cases by your banker. You are an investment of our society. You are our human capital …our intellectual capital. You are among our best and brightest …society is now looking for its dividends …its return on its investment in you. And, you must give back, if we are to continue to remain a prosperous society.

That is, indeed the true test of any society -- the degree to which its most fortunate invest of their time and talents back into the community on behalf of the less fortunate. I know many of you already have established a pattern of personal commitment to others. That will serve you well, throughout your life. And if you have not, this is a great day to make a commitment! Service to society is truly the greatest gift you can bestow. Don’t be shy about doing so! It will enrich the lives of all you touch -- including your own.

Today, I pointed out a few problems that we have to work together to solve. I know that sometimes they can seem overwhelming. And, when problems start to look unmanageable and awesome, remember the words of the great Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tzu, who reminded us that:” A 1,000-mile journey begins with a single step.”

So, today I urge you to take that first step …go forth …not so much to multiply, but to ADD. To add value to all that you do. May your years be filled with achievement. May your lives be filled with joy. May your acts reflect proudly upon this fine institution.

Congratulations. God speed and good luck to you all. Thank you.