Graduation full of memories

Social reformer Susan B. Anthony said: \"Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory."\nThat may sound like an odd message to cite at a time when so many people on our campuses are looking forward to reaching a great milestone in their lives. They will receive their degrees from IU. It is a tremendous achievement.\nBut in the hectic time leading up to Commencement, I would urge you to take a quiet moment and let some of those other milestones come to the door of memory. The lasting friendships made, the academic challenges accepted and conquered, the great times that you shared -- all are indispensable parts of the journey from being a slightly overwhelmed freshman to a confident college graduate.\nThe poet e.e. cummings wrote; \"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.\" People come to a college campus to do exactly that. Here, they find faculty and staff who have helped generations of students on that same quest. Here, they are surrounded by bright ambitious peers who are also trying to become who they really are -- as soon as they figure out who that person might be, of course.\nThose journeys seldom go in a straight line. In fact, the most fulfilling ones are often the most circuitous. A major research university such as IU offers plenty of opportunity for academic exploration. It also creates a community where you can get to know a diverse group of people from everywhere. In a small college town in southern Indiana, the larger world is never far away.\nThat certainly was the case on Sept. 11, when our university reeled along with the nation in the wake of the terrorist attacks. We all will remember exactly where we were when we heard the news. I will remember something else as well, how those tragic events united us. There was confusion, sadness and anger, but there was also a sense of shared purpose.\nCampus forums brought together people from the campus and the surrounding community to share their opinions and to discuss the religious and geopolitical issues with experts. Together, we reasserted the power of knowledge and understanding in the face of violence and hatred. \nAlthough that momentous tragedy will always mark this academic year, there were also plenty of times of pride, happiness and celebration. Each individual student can supply his or her personal examples of important milestones. In looking at the university as a whole, I will cite but two. \nThe designation by Time magazine of IUB as its College of the Year was a ringing affirmation of the efforts of our faculty, staff and students to build a strong and welcoming learning community. I was proud of what the honor said about our campus.\nAnd, of course, there was the march by the men\'s basketball Hoosiers to the NCAA championship game. That, too, was a great symbol of what makes our university special. The determination, effort and teamwork displayed by the Hoosiers and the joyous enthusiasm shown by our fans made a dynamic and winning combination.\nAs this memorable academic year ends, I offer three wishes for those IU graduates who will soon leave our campus clutching hard-earned diplomas. I hope that happy recollections of your time at IU often come knocking at your door of memory. I hope that you will continue to show the courage to become who you really are. (It\'s a lifelong job.) And I hope you stay in touch.