The rest is history

“You are today surrounded by hope: from proud family, friends and faculty.  We all hope you seize your opportunities, find joy in life and be filled with excitement in the journey ahead.  We need your intelligence, commitment, innovation, energy, ideas.  You choose the field. You choose the time. You choose the place. You choose the issue.  But make the choice.

“Your life will be full of opportunities and surprises — many good, some not.  But we have confidence in you, because we believe you will — in the words of the Athenian oath — transmit this country better, greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to you.”

--Lee H. Hamilton, Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and former congressman

“In terms of some words of wisdom for the graduating seniors, my advice would be to look for opportunities that provide growth both professionally and personally. Networking is a great way to learn about new opportunities, especially when connections are established with alumni, and one can learn from their successes.

"It is important to not get discouraged if the job search does not produce the results you would like immediately. Most of all, follow your dreams and never stop working towards your goals.” 

--Sandy Britton, Associate Director of International Student Life

“First, take a few moments before you leave Bloomington to soak in the sights, sounds and memories of your time on this beautiful campus, knowing that this place has a way of staying in your heart.

“Second, take time to thank those who made this day possible for you — parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, frends and maybe even that one special professor who went out of his or her way to help you along your path to graduation.

“Finally, as you enter the ‘real’ world, I will tell you what my dad told me once upon a time: Do what you love and the rest will follow. It’s a big, amazing world out there and know that IU has helped prepare you for a place in it. Embrace life after college, stretch your limits — not leaping is worse than jumping and falling a few times. Above all, treat those around you as you want to be treated.

“You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how giving people can be.”

--Mark Land, Associate Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations