Good evening. I want to thank you all for the honor of speaking here tonight and I want to thank Prof. Stevenson for his introduction. However, there is more that I need to thank him for. You see, when I was in high school and first came to visit Calvin, he was one of the professors that I had the chance to meet with. He told me about the wonderful political science department and all the other things that Calvin had to offer. We found we both competed in track and field. We also talked about political philosophy for a good amount of time as well. Needless to say, it was a very memorable conversation for an eighteen year-old kid from Bloomington, Minnesota. For me, this conversation was a fundamental part of my decision to come to Calvin College, but I couldn’t really expect that it was particularly noteworthy for a professor whom I’m sure meets dozens of students a year. Yet, shortly after arriving here my freshman year, I ran into Prof. Stevenson. Not only did he remember that we had met, but he could remember exactly what we had talked about months earlier. That immediately quelled any doubts I had about Calvin being the right decision for me. I do not mean to say that Prof. Stevenson’s prodigious memory should be the foundation for Calvin recruitment, but rather that the genuine interest and concern he had for me, a prospective student, that put my mind at ease.

            Looking back at the past three years, I can see now that it was a good thing I was at peace with that decision, because my time at Calvin has been exhausting, demanding, and challenging… I could not be happier. I am currently working on my honors thesis which examines the role of state identity in U.S.-Chinese relations. I have spent months researching the subject, developing an outline, and now, finally, writing the paper. Without the guidance of my thesis advisor, Prof. Westra, I would be hopelessly lost. Yet, when it is all said and done, this paper will represent everything I have worked for at Calvin College. Normally that would put a lot of pressure on me to succeed, which it has, but because I have had the blessing of working with some truly great professors I can say with confidence that I am not worried.         

            What is even more significant, I feel, is that every one of us here has a story like mine. We all have people that have greatly impacted our lives. Whether it is the unconditional love (and financial support) of parents, the guidance of a coach, the inspiration and challenge presented by professors, or even that friend you can always count on to bring you coffee, we all have someone we feel grateful for tonight.

            This gratitude directed towards others in no way diminishes the achievements you yourselves have accomplished. Whether you have made the Dean’s List for the first time or every time, or if you are going to graduate with honors, tonight’s ceremony is meant to be a celebration. Congratulations, you have all done something truly noteworthy. It was more than just keeping your G.P.A. high, or writing an extra long paper or two. You have gone a step beyond what was required of you. That is the achievement, and it is that kind of achievement that indicates you will be doing great things in the future. There will always be ceremonies, banquets, and accolades showered upon you. It will be very easy at those moments to lose sight of those that helped you along the way. I urge you to never forget those that were there in the beginning; keep them in your hearts and minds when you succeed so that you have someone to share it with.

            You see, not only is it more enjoyable to have someone close by to share these times with, but it is in others that we can see the impact of our accomplishments. I have never found much meaning in success if I only defined it in terms of myself. Not only does it seem unbearably arrogant, but also the scope is far too small to appreciate what has actually occurred. Everything we do affects more than ourselves, and it is precisely because our actions have ramifications that are so far-reaching that I think we need achieve the potential God has given us. I believe this is the implicit message behind the often used adage of Calvin College, that we should be “agents of renewal”. We are called to act in this world not solely for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others and for the glory of God. We are meant to be the tools through which Christ’s redeeming love can spread through the world.

  I learned this lesson from my track and field coach here at Calvin College, Coach Jong-il Kim. He has always told us that God has given us different amounts of talent. On our track team, we have some very gifted athletes, and I fortunately get to see them as they run past me on the track. Others, like me, are not as talented. But we all have a place on the team. We all need to work hard and train hard so the team can be the best it can be. Similarly, in this life, we have all been given different gifts and of different levels, but we all must use them to their full potential so we can be the best we can be because we represent more than just ourselves. Because you are here tonight, you are already working to fulfill your full potential. You have shown that you will not settle for anything less. This, truly, is a great thing and something to be celebrated. I congratulate you all.

            Thank you.