This is the speech I gave at my Graduation.
Good evening, brothers and sisters, I would like to start by reading something that I predict many of us will find difficult to forget:
After much prayer, discernment, and deliberation,
it is with great sadness that I tell you the Board of Directors today
has voted to suspend operations of the University after this semester.
This is a line from the letter which was read to the students on Wednesday, November 8th. For most of us, these words will be forever burned into our minds. That Wednesday afternoon is a moment I know I will never forget. For many of us that day meant that a big part of our lives was coming to a close. This news was very hard to hear and I’m sure it was even harder to give. These past few weeks following the announcement have included a great deal of stress, sorrow, and worry. However, they also have been filled with much peace, happiness, and joy! For us students, we are forced to find the answer to several questions. The most obvious being, “where should I finish my education?” And for Employees, “how will I provide for my family now?” Another way of looking at these important questions is, “how will WE begin anew?” These questions can be answered through much faith and prayer, because we know Christ renews all things, and can bring good out of everything, even these hard times.
I have never felt so close to the people here as much as have the last 3 weeks. Times like these can either tear people apart or bring them closer together. It is in times like these when the true character of a person is revealed. The community of St. Gregory’s has used this time to come together more than ever. This experience is something I hope none of us will ever forget!
Thank you! Thank you to my fellow students! Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your president and thank you for serving each other in a lot of what you do. Thank you for finally learning how to pick up your trash, thank you for staying up late and studying all night. Thank you for dancing, acting, singing, and cheering. Thank you for playing your sport and for playing it well! Thank you for all that you have done. Hopefully, your experience at St. Gregory’s will inspire you with the desire to serve others to the best of your ability, no matter where you end up.
I would also like to thank our wonderful staff. Whether you worked in the registrar, financial aid, student life, facilities, the library, or the mail room, I would like to thank you. No matter what your job was here, you have helped us students. Thank you all for demonstrating the qualities of a true servant, in the spirit of Christ. Thank you for inspiring us to give 100% in all that we do.
Thank you Monastic Community for founding, leading, and accompanying St. Gregory’s all these years.
I now, want to recognize the wonderful faculty of St. Gregory’s University. Though I did not personally have each of you in a class, I am grateful to each member of the faculty. I do not think it is possible to find the words to properly thank each of you, but I will certainly try. Thank you for your passion and continual drive. People teach because they have a love for the students, the school, and their vocation. This has been profoundly evident in my experience at St. Gregory’s. Thank you for making classes both enjoyable and fruitful. I never thought that I could laugh so hard while learning as much as I did. Thank you for caring for us, students. You not only helped prepare us for the next 10 years, but you have encouraged us to prepare for the rest of our lives. Thank you for all the wisdom you have given us! Thank you for all that you did. You have all impacted the lives of us in ways that we may not even understand yet. You all will truly be missed! Finally, thank you to anyone I have missed, everything you did is greatly appreciated.
Now, I would like to talk about the next 10,000 years, let me explain: My first class here was Sacred Scripture with Dr. Fugikawa. When I met him, I thought that he was super weird and it turns out he is, but in a good way! Dr. Fugikawa asked the class about our 10,000 year plan. “What about our next life? How are we living in this one? Are we living it in such a way that we can get to the next one?” This is something that I will never forget. It was at this moment when I finally understood the value of a liberal arts education. For a professor to care enough about his students to ask questions that go beyond education and refer to the state of their souls, was mind blowing. What is the point of this life if not to prepare us for something greater? You know that instant gratification that we get when doing things we think will make us happy? It doesn’t last. We do it because we are still searching for the highest good, which is what we were made for! We were made to be united with Jesus Christ in Heaven, our true home.
In my short time at St. Gregory’s, I have gained the knowledge to not only grow in my career but also grow in my faith. Mother Theresa once said, “God does not require that we be successful only that we be faithful.” St. Gregory’s has taught me that I can be successful in this world by choosing to do good. It is my greatest hope that everyone else here at St. Gregory’s has gained this knowledge as well. Hold on to your faith, it is more valuable than you think.
If someone had told me a year and half ago that this was how my time here was going to end, I wouldn’t change it. I would willingly relive these last few weeks, if that was the cost of my time here. St. Gregory’s has become a family to me, especially in these past three weeks. I was moved by the fact that I couldn’t ask someone how they were doing, without seeing they first focused on someone else’s wellbeing. I am truly going to miss you all.
Although this unknown may seem scary, it is important that we look to the future with open arms. Saint John Paul the Great said, “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that God is with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.” Face the unknown in complete faith and confidence! Have no fear! This is what we all must do. I don’t believe that this is the end for St. Gregory’s, it may or may not re-open one day. But until then, all of us, as faculty, staff, and students, are St. Gregory’s. It is our duty to take this community with us wherever we go and remember that once a Cavalier, always a Cavalier.
Go With God
Duncan
