[Japanese]

Michelle.D.Taylor

Undergraduate Orator

President Rudinstein, Vice President Gore, graduate friends and family. Especially my family who did not know I was going to do this. Today I am overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed because I am graduating from college when kindergarten seemed like yesterday. I’m overwhelmed because I’ve finally reached the stage in my life that I am about to begin my career. I am overwhelmed because I have met so many fascinating people here, learned so many things, completed so many problem sets, labs, papers, exams and even survived the absolutely delectable cuisine offered here at Harvard and Radclift.

I am sure that this time is as amazing for you as it is for me, not only for the reasons I have mentioned but also because we are received the priceless gift of a higher education. I’m sure you know that your higher education is a treasure that does not lose its value. It will create opportunities for you that many people can only dream of. With your education you can change the world and make it a better place. The saying “Ipsa Sapientia Potentia est” is one of the few things that I remember from high school Latin. It means knowledge itself is power. This is true, but the knowledge we have gained here is only as valuable as our courage to apply it.

As graduates you will have to decide if you will share in the gift that you have received. Sitting beside you are people who can, and I hope one day will make great changes in our world. Some of us will be in Washington someday passing legislation that will make higher education more accessible to more people in this country. Some of us will be teachers and give our students the support, teachers who will give our students the support that we received so we could be here. Some of us will be physicians, physicians who will care for the sick, including those who cannot afford care. And some of us will be lawyers, lawyers who may even take on cases pro bono so that, take on cases pro bono so that justice and not merely the law shall be served. Whether you are a big sibling, a little league coach, a Sunday school teacher, an adviser or the voice for someone who normally goes unheard, I encourage you to do something , be something.

My freshman year I volunteered in a public service program that served a needy area in Boston. The kids in this program had to contend with drug pushers, violence, murder and poverty daily while their families tried to create a safer positive environment for them to grow up in. one day a seven years old named Luis came up to me and said, “Michelle, when I grow up, I want to go to Harvard just like you.” I believed that Louis can attend Harvard one day, and realize that the hard environment that he now lives in does not have to be permanent if he receives the support from people like us, people who will share in the gift of their education.

Some of you may be wondering why I call their college education a gift considering that you, your friends and your family have spent so much money, time and perhaps blood, toil, tears and sweat trying to get it. But many of you should remember the Honor society motto, “Hold high the torch of truth and knowledge. You did not light its glow, it was given to you by others, but it is your responsibility to keep it burning bright. Indeed the educational process is not an independent endeavor.

I’d like you to reflect for a moment on all the people that helped to bring you to the place where you are now. The sister who taught you how to spell, the brother who helped you with your sciense homework, the next door neighbor who helped to teach you how to ride a bike. Years later when you were in college, these people were still there for you, providing you with a prayer, a care package, a surprise phone call just to say hello, and constant reminders to eat your vegetables. These people brought you to this place, they helped you to survive it, and they will contribute to your future.

Now think about the lessons that you learned here, the friendships with your classmates, writing home and realizing what a distinct environment we have here. Your relations with the Harvard community and its large array of socioeconomic classes, cultures and attitudes. All of these, whether or not it is clear to you, have profited us and have contributed to this great gift. I am sure that you share in my sentiment when I say, to all these people and the lessons that they taught me, including some lessons that I did not want to learn, I am eternally grateful.

You may have noticed that I have not made any direct suggestions as to haw you can use your gift of higher education to make this world a better place. You must make that decision. I hope you realize that the task before you won’t be easy. As a great person once said, well I don’t know who originally said it, so I’ll give the credit to my mom, that which is easy is seldom great. I hope that all of you share in your wealth. This may cause a lot of personal conflict in a seemingly selfish world. Nonetheless I ask you to do it. Your attention in time can be more valuable than you realize and can inspire someone like Louis to reach for the stars. Realize that your efforts may not have immediate affects, but as with any gift your job is to give and not expect return, just hope that they will happen. Thank everyone that has brought you to this place, given you this gift, continue to give the gift of education to someone else, be something, do something.

Congratulations everyone.