Class of 2020! Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Our undergraduates, our Medical School students,
our Master's students and our Doctoral students.
I hope you are celebrating with your friends
and family today, and I hope you recognize
what a huge accomplishment this is.
I'm sure you're feeling like this is the most
bizarre set of circumstances because,
well, because it is...
Now that doesn't diminish the pride and joy that the
entire Brown community has for your achievements.
You are truly extraordinary
and the entire Brown community is behind you.
You have worked so hard
to accomplish this amazing feat
throughout some extremely difficult times
these last couple months.
Your resilience, your determination,
you made it possible for us
with your grit and spirit.
But I wanted to remind you that this ceremony,
this graduation ceremony, is nothing more
than a really nice formality.
It was really just designed to have you walk
across the stage, grab a piece of paper,
and give you a moment to let it all wash over you,
all that you have accomplished,
all the successes that you have completed,
but those are already done!
You have those forever.
You leave College Hill at a truly, truly historic time,
with historic challenges
and historic, commensurate opportunities.
Opportunities to be useful, to change the world.
Now more than ever, the world will need your fight,
passion, and your willingness
to challenge the status quo.
We need your ideas, we need your desire
we need your compassion,
your intellect, your curiosity, your creativity,
your passion, your human empathy.
The world desperately needs your compassion,
conviction and humor, now more than ever.
The world is asking you to be something
you never thought of.
And be it. You can and you will.
You have all of the parts and all the preparation
and all the talent and energy and drive
to be successful.
Go forward and tackle these challenges
with confidence and courage.
There are two types of people in this world,
those that build sandcastles and
those that smush them.
My best advice to you
is be the builder, not the smusher.
Work hard, stay true to yourselves,
love your friends, call your parents,
keep the big picture in mind and never give up.
But as far as present reality goes, remain oblivious.
It works, I promise you.
Thirty years from now when you look back,
all you'll remember are the good times.
Thank you for your contributions that you've
made while you've been here at Brown and that
have helped shape and strengthen this University.
Brown is a stronger institution and a better institution
than it was before you came.
The University is judged based on the
quality of the graduates that it produces.
So if Brown is to remain one of
the world's great universities,
it will turn on what you go on to accomplish
in advancing civilization in the broadest sense,
addressing the many challenges
that the world faces today,
and pursuing the boundless opportunities
that it offers.
So as much as it stinks to not have this day
and not have this ceremony,
you have achieved nonetheless,
you have succeeded nonetheless.
Nothing can take away from the education
you've earned, the relationships you form,
and the experiences you had at Brown.
And please always remember: "Ever true to Brown."
I look forward to celebrating with you next year and
formally welcoming you into the alumni community.
You now join the over one hundred thousand other alumni
around the world as members of
the Brown Alumni Association.
Brown will always be there rooting for you.
And we all look forward to joyfully celebrating your
achievements together back on campus next spring,
and to cheer even louder when
you walk through the Van Wickle Gates.
Stay safe and stay strong!
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
We're very proud of all that you've accomplished.
Class of 2020, congratulations!
I want to wish you guys the very best of luck in
the coming years. And go Bears!
Good luck and keep in touch.
You've done an incredible job
under extraordinary duress.
I salute you, I honor you and I say, congratulations!
Yay!
We wish you health. We wish you joy.
We wish you love and fulfillment and peace,
and the ability to always celebrate amidst
whatever life hands you.
Congratulations, felicidades, mabrouk, mazel tov!
[ululates]
We will celebrate together next spring
but in the meantime, stay safe and stay strong.
You are going to be fantastic.
I'm so excited for you.
Congratulations!
you