"Social Responsibility: How Will You Use What You Learn?"

President's Convocation Speech
Beverley J. Pitts
August 27, 2009
Editor's Note: Introduced by Josh Elijah, president of Indianapolis Student Government

Thank you very much, Josh. Let me extend a warm welcome to all of you who are beginning your studies at UIndy. We are so glad you have chosen the University of Indianapolis as you move into this new phase of your lives.

If you’re like every student who has come before you, you’re excited and also a bit overwhelmed with all that’s happening in these first days of college.

This time of choosing a major, seeking out friends, and learning the ropes can be an overwhelming prospect, but let me encourage you to think of it as a thrilling one instead. Believe me: it gets easier. You’ll soon settle into a rhythm, and the blur that is the first week or two will be a dim memory. You are going to love this journey of discovery that’s ahead of you.

You may find yourself changing course along the way, and you may find a discipline that you fall in love with. I hope you have—or you will.

I know you’ve spent a significant portion of your high school career considering what you want to do with your life. Family and friends have been asking what you are going to major in and what you want to do when you graduate. It may seem that everyone in your life is focusing your attention on your future.

But remember: you’re not going to start living your life in four years. You’re living it right here, right now. And it’s as important to think about how you live every day as it is to think about what you will be doing in four years. The everyday choices you make can be every bit as important as those that are obvious to your future.

With this new freedom you now have, there can be some costly consequences for making what seems like a small decision. I urge you to consider the choices you are making, even when they seem spur of the moment.

Think about the students at Purdue just this week, who, in a quick moment of what they thought was fun or bravado, changed their own lives and the lives of the family of their lost friend forever.

I don’t want to lecture you, because I respect your maturity. I just want to say this. It takes a strong person to stop for a moment and make the right choice when everyone around may be making the wrong one. Be that strong person.

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I hope that, as you enjoy this tremendous privilege of higher education—and it is a privilege—you will consider the world beyond your studies, beyond life in the residence halls, the football games, and the late-night pizzas.

Last week, you heard Provost Balogh speak about the University’s emphasis on social responsibility, the idea that we have some obligations to those around us, to our community as well as to ourselves. We believe at UIndy that there should be a connection between your academic experience and the way you will use what you learn.

You’ve heard from a number of students today—students, remember, who not long ago were sitting where you are sitting, feeling the same apprehensions and the same excitement you are feeling. I hope their messages hit home.

They have taken advantage of opportunities to learn, beyond the books and the lectures, and to share their skills and their education with others.

As you will hear again and again, one value that we hold dear at UIndy is that we should all use our talents in service to others. Our motto is “Education for Service,” and we are committed to creating a learning environment that links learning and service. You will find that there are hundreds of ways you can be a part of that commitment to use your talent in productive and fulfilling ways.

You’ll soon discover, too, that there is no single area of study that has a corner on service. Spanish students volunteer their time as interpreters for new immigrants, and teach English as a second language. Physical therapy students conduct exercise classes for older adults. Education majors tutor inner-city school kids. Nursing students provide immunizations for residents of nearby Fountain Square or faraway South America. Graphic design majors launch a foundation to support West African education. International business majors travel to Belize to help with landscaping at a nursing home.

I hope you choose to be a part of that.

You’ve heard a lot about our values today. You’ve heard that we value learning through active engagement—engagement in class projects, in internships, and in service.

I hope you also know that we value personal attention and strong connections with students and faculty. You know we are a United Methodist institution. I’d like to mention two very important values that come from that affiliation.

First, we value and respect everyone. We not only have room for differences but we also celebrate them. We come from 32 states and 63 nations. We are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and many other faiths. We are from all races and cultural backgrounds. We learn from each other. We respect each other.

Secondly, this basic respect and appreciation for others lies behind our resolve to make the world a better place, to use our gifts in a way that improves the lot of others.

So what’s the bottom line? Here is the point: Everyone should have a commitment to do good with what they know.

I want to be sure that sinks in, because it is so very important: Do good with what you know. What that means is that there is a direct relationship between learning a discipline – learning how to be good at something – and learning how to use your skills and knowledge to make the world a better place.

At UIndy, we expect that connection to be made and we will help you make it. You’ve been given a gift. You have the ability to learn, and you have the good fortune to be able to attend college.

If you take advantage of these opportunities to learn, expand your horizons, and serve others, then when you leave here in four years, not only will you have all of the knowledge you’ve gained in your field of study, but also you will have learned how to use it wisely. That is our hope and our expectation for you.

I want to tell you about a tradition we have here at UIndy. Four years from now, at Commencement, we will send you into the world to do good with what you know.

As you walk out with your diploma in hand, the faculty will be lined up on either side of the walkway, cheering you on and showing their pride in you, clapping for you and celebrating your accomplishments.

We have a tradition to complement that one and it happens right now. We are going to play our “Alma Mater” as a show of respect for our school.

And as it plays and you leave the auditorium, faculty and staff will be lined up right outside on the walk to “bring your class in,” to welcome you to our community of scholars. It may surprise you to realize just how exciting a time this is for all of us. We are genuinely eager to get to know you personally, to grow with you, to learn and laugh with you.

The next time you walk through that row of faculty, you will be graduating, and we will be proud to congratulate you that day as we welcome you today.

Thank you, see you at the football game tonight, and have a great four years!

[Alma Mater begins]