This is a generation that really is starting to change things.
Purposes become so much more important in your lives,
in the lives of people like you. Your generation.
And I'm very excited about that.
You've got to find partners in business and work. I've only been as good in my lifetime
as the people who have surrounded me.
Finally, find your plans - try to describe to yourself what's gonna happen
in your work life the next 30 to 50 years. Try to find an environment -
a wave, a cycle, theme, that you can get on board.
Try to find something where the wind is slightly at your back,
will make the journey little bit easier.
Each of you will find your way in life. You'll find it on your own terms.
You are as well prepared for life's challenges as
any class we have ever graduated. You've learned the value of the most important gifts we can provide.
Critical thinking, perseverance, the value of working with others -
your personal commitment to Meliora.
You will succeed because of your talents, your education, your work ethic.
Congratulations! We made it!
It's been four years in the making,
but our journey to this day is finally complete. And it's one that we'll remember forever.
Our time at U of R has been filled with so many good memories,
and it really has been one of the greatest privileges of my life
to be here amongst all of you.
In the days and months and years to come, whenever I look back on the last four years,
I know that it'll bring a huge smile to my face.
To know that I'm part of this big yellow jacket family.
Today does not mark the end of our adventure together.
It just marks a milestone to celebrate.
Rochester will always be our beloved home beside the Genesee.
So tomorrow even if we're all spread out,
across separate corners of the world, we'll always be
Yellow Jackets to our core. Here's to the adventure that lies ahead.
Not just one jacket, we're the whole hive.
Feel the Sting of 21-5.
It's a gorgeous day, it's an honor to be here. I get to graduate with you guys,
and you look really good. Have you taken a picture yet?
I mean, have you taken a selfie?
Well, I think it would be kinda cool if, right this minute, you could take a selfie.
I mean, you're graduating, you're sitting there in that chair,
and I just think it would be good idea to have a picture.
And you know what?
I'm gonna do it too. Come on Joel.
We did it!
I feel like we're living in a time, that's very, it's all about self-obsession.
We have an opportunity out there to,
what they call, "promote your own brand".
The truth is that we're not brands. Or at least we shouldn't be.
And we use that word way too much, throwing it around like it's the way we should define everything, even ourselves.
Somehow we think that's setting ourselves apart,
it's gonna make us or break us, and we've become so used to this idea,
that we're adopting big business sales tactics to promote ourselves.
But is the image or persona that you put out there really who you are?
I actually love selfies. And I think it's great that we know how to take them from an angle that makes us look good,
but I hope you all remember that it's just as important to get good at being the real you.
Put that person out there into the world.
Practice that. We've got to be mindful about how we represent ourselves.
Not just for the sake of our own personal integrity.
But for the dignity of our society.
Sometimes it's easy to create a facade. We can hide our fault in the shadows,
we can cheat just a little, lie just a little,
misrepresent ourselves just a little.
We can selectively present who we want to be
even if it doesn't feel like who we really are.
But I say take a risk. Be your real self.
I'm guessing it's pretty good. The rewards are great.
We win relationships, we win respect, we win love.
We win by living in a world we can touch and see and feel and believe. A world that is real.
So take the risk. Help create a society where we can trust what we hear.
And if the instances of truth outnumber the lies,
we all win.
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