Graduation Speeches Hit the Press

Every year, around this time, I enjoy reading excerpts from college graduation speeches. I like to see what politicians, comedians, journalists, and athletes have to say about the World, and how their views differ.

Today was the day when The New York Times brought out the speech excerpts, and to my surprise, the President of our very own Amherst College was quoted in the article.

The issue of Iraq and United States foreign policy pervaded this year's graduation speeches, with Amherst President Tony Marx's speech a chief example.

Here is an excerpt from the article, written by Alan Finder:

Some speakers offered a critical view of the war and its consequences. Anthony W. Marx, the president of Amherst College, spoke at Amherst’s commencement of the lessons of the Roman empire, which he said declined when leaders turned away from civic action toward private pursuits, abdicating civil authority to the military.

“Always, our political reach, our cultural persuasion, our economic integration and our military might are bounded,” Dr. Marx said, drawing analogies between Rome’s decline and the present. “At those boundaries, smugness is challenged. If we fail to heed that challenge, if we do not learn from the limits of our victories, we risk the fate of Rome.”

Here's a link to the entire article: "Iraq is Backdrop for Many Graduation Speakers."
Also, to view a video of Marx's speech click here.

Finally, I wanted to share my favorite quote from this year's batch of graduation speeches. I read it in the June 4 issue of Sports Illustrated. It was recited by Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick at Johns Hopkins University:

In a Bacon-and-egg breakfast the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed. Be that pig.