Bracketed by the horrors of 9/11 and the disaster of a tsunami, these past four years have been exceptional in so many ways.  No graduating class in recent years has seen so much change during its four years of study.

The U.S. held its 55^th national election and Iraq held its first.  Regimes were toppled and the U.S.entered a war that was broadcast live along with images of the rescue of Pennsylvaniaminers and CEOs doing the “perp walk.”
 
Taxes were cut and genetic codes were cracked. Bostonwon the World Series, no one won the Stanley Cup, and the U.S.declared that it is going back to the moon. And all of the news was covered by bloggers.
 
Our world has been turned on its head by tragic events both human and natural in cause, but students have lived within the protected boundaries of the college campus. In spite of this, they have chosen to engage issues instead of ignore them and have come together to do the work and make this world and your communities better, healthier places.
 
Just days after the Class of 2005 arrived on campuses across this nation, the defining events of 9/11 occurred. Students supported one another, grieved together, and helped each other through that difficult time. And they reached out.
 
They held benefit concerts, started scholarship funds, and volunteered. They attended lectures and asked good questions as you worked to understand the unimaginable. And four years later, they did it again.
 
Students again heeded the call to service, this time from halfway around the globe, and rallied to help those who lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones ­ still guided by that “do something” spirit.
 
Stories abound of college students getting on planes headed to Sri Lankato assist those affected by the tsunami as they rebuild their communities and their lives.
 
All of this volunteering, fundraising, and service was done in the context of higher learning. The Class of 2005 balanced civic engagement with in-class accomplishment. They have been honored with the most prestigious of scholarly awards. They are Rhodes Scholars, Watson Fellows, and USA Academic All-Stars. Many are going on to graduate programs in medicine, law, physics, and architecture ­ still more are landing great jobs with top companies, or are pursuing dreams to teach, do community service, and travel.
 
The Class of 2005 has found ways to unite and to support each other as the world has changed and presented new challenges. I hope that they will continue to engage the world as they become leaders in their professions, communities, and families. Their years in college have provided them with the knowledge and the skills to do something and affect positive change in these uncertain times.
 
At commencement this weekend, I urged the graduates of 2005, armed with the finest education this world has to offer, to do what is right. Love the world. Do something to make this world a better place.  Carry forward the spirit that is the Class of 2005.