Graduates encouraged to live a life of audacity

-- Margaret Pribel

Carpe diem, Latin for “seize the day,” was the theme of the 2004 commencement ceremony held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on the evening of Dec.16. Families and friends of approximately 750 graduates filled the auditorium in support of the new graduates.

The number of infants and small children in attendance made obvious the sacrifice and work many graduates endured. At some universities, the effort required to return to a school after five, 10, 20 or more years is sometimes overlooked, as is the inability to fit in with traditional 18- to 22-year-old students. At Metropolitan State University, the diverse, non-traditional student population lends a rich stock to its academic stew.

President Dr. Wilson Bradshaw officiated the event. Dr. William Lowe, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs welcomed the audience. Dr. Manuel Lopez, associate vice chancellor for Continuous Improvement, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and Diana Lewis, chair of the Metropolitan State Foundation, all spoke briefly, congratulated graduates and encouraged continued education and financial support of their alma mater.

Dr. Becky Omdahl, president of the Faculty Association, recognized the stress many graduates endured while juggling family, jobs and coursework by saying, “Be proud of your success, you got degrees while working and raising families.”

The keynote speaker, St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington, gave a lively but brief speech, alluding to former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer’s ability to amuse and move a crowd—all within seven minutes. Harrington spoke of his yearly resolution, “to live a life of audacity.” He defined living audaciously as having chutzpah, nerve, and guts.

As a peace officer, Chief Harrington said he’s been “shot at, beat up, and cursed in languages I didn’t know of.” He explained that he and other police officers prepare for their work, “hoping for the best and planning for the worst.”

Harrington stressed persistence to the graduates, saying “We must never, never give up.” The chief recalled drinking from the wrong water fountain in high school—a fountain only for whites. For this innocent mistake, another young man clubbed him on the head. To Harrington, audacity was to keep going to school, day after day, with the guy who hit him. Eventually the two young men became friends and their friendship was forged because of Harrington’s audacity.

Another audacious choice was to attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire without ever visiting the campus first. And he was audacious when he decided to study Chinese although he had never taken a second language before. And he is still audacious. At the time of his speech, he reported that he would soon play as goalie for the Minnesota Wild hockey team.

Taking a moment to credit graduates’ loved ones in the audience, Harrington gave special acknowledgement to those who took up the slack so their spouses, significant others, partners, friends, parents, children, and grandchildren could obtain degrees. His final encouragement to the graduates was, “Relish the exhilaration of your accomplishments, there is a promise of greatness before you. Carpe diem.”

A part of Metropolitan State University since 1984, Chief Harrington is now a part of the community faculty. In closing, Harrington, without pause, showed some more of his audacity as he stepped forward and shook the hands of all the graduates from the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. This touching gesture spoke volumes to the graduates, according to Susan Amos Palmer, director of publicity and news services. He concluded with a handshake with a student who was clearly “seizing the day”—Kathleen A. Wuorinen, the recipient of the Outstanding Student award in the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice school.

Lisa Middag, College of Arts and Sciences, Harold Chromy, College of Management graduate program, Susan Kay Listerud, College of Management undergraduate program, Lesli Blair, College of Professional Studies, and Teckla Jebiwot Kemboi-Ngotie, School of Nursing, also received Outstanding Student awards. A. Paul Monteen, recipient of the First College Outstanding Student award also had the opportunity to speak at the commencement ceremony and he shared the attractions and assets of the First College program.

After the ceremony, the large hall outside the auditorium filled with graduates and families and friends. Many were searching out loved ones while smiling and hugging. Screams of joy and picture taking were prevalent. Congratulations graduates, and carpe diem!

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