Welcome, Class of 2029! It is awesome to be here, even though I got home around 4 a.m. this morning after our football game at Penn State. Let me give shoutouts to the mighty Oregon football team, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s golf and tennis, women’s volleyball and women’s soccer. Duck sports are off to a great fall.
I want everyone here to be off to a great fall as well. Having a great fall, and indeed, having a great Oregon experience, prompts me to reflect on three essential concepts:
Achievement, curiosity, and impact.
Let me start with achievement. You have achieved scholastically your whole lives. Your hard work and accomplishments have led to you being here – one of the great public research universities in the country. And please be clear—the University of Oregon is a great public research university. There are more than 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the country, and we are ranked among the top 5 percent nationwide.
You earned your place here at the UO. We do not admit anyone who we do not believe will be successful. And we are grateful you are here.
I am a father of three daughters, all of whom my wife, Melissa, and I accompanied as they went off to college. I’ll be honest, as a parent, it was rough. I cried at each drop off. At the same time, I knew our daughters were embarking on a period of tremendous intellectual and personal growth.
I don’t care how awesome your high school was—you will be exposed to all sorts of new ideas, new people and new experiences at the U of O. You will grow tremendously, and your loved ones will be both in your corner and very, very proud of you.
Connecting with your fellow classmates, your resident advisors, your professors and your roommates will help you find your place here.
If you do find yourself behind, don’t wait to get help. Every professor here wants you to succeed. Every advisor, counselor and resident advisor wants you to flourish. Seek out resources that are here to help you out. There’s a university here to support you.
And let’s get real. There will be times college is hard. It’s almost guaranteed. It may come in a class that isn’t going well. A problem with a friend. Loneliness. Not knowing what’s ahead. This is normal. Some of the most profound learning occurs when you are honest with friends, or instructors, or advisors or others. It takes courage to reach out when things aren’t going so well. But take that step. Be authentic. Don’t pose. And don’t believe what others are saying on social media!
For our first-year students, we want you to graduate from the UO in four years! Doing so will save you time and money. I can’t wait to see you in Autzen, in June 2029. That requires you to take at least 45 credits per year, 15 credits each term! Just do it!
I next want to talk about curiosity.
Many of you came to Oregon to study a particular subject. Knowing what you want to specialize or major in is great. But if you don’t, that’s okay as well. One of the values of the many varied courses you’ll be required to take is it will help you discover and refine your interests, as well as prepare you well beyond your first job.
You are also here to learn about people different from you and places different from where you come from. This is part of your preparation to become leaders and successful members of society. We are all part of a world community, and the diversity of our community enriches both your education and your perspectives.
We want you to flourish here. That means being attentive to wellbeing, giving yourself opportunities to grow, being resilient, building community, and discovering your sense of purpose.
But let me warn you: this is hard work. We must engage constructively, for example, with disagreement. Over the next four years we will have speakers on campus that some find reprehensible. There will be people who express ideas you might feel are profoundly misguided. But we are a setting where ideas are protected. We will do everything we can to debate ideas, particularly those we think are misguided, with logic, debate and possibly protest. But we will not censor.
At the same time, universities have rules that need to be followed and enforced. On a flourishing campus, we much look out for each other and treat each other with respect and caring. Challenges are out there: alcohol, drugs, sexual violence and harassment. Know that we have resources, such as our Division of Student Life, to help yourself or a friend. Ducks take care of each other.
Finally, let’s talk about the final essential piece to your college career: impact.
On your four-year journey at the University of Oregon, you can make an incredible impact. You are part of a community of scholars at an outstanding research university. This means you will be taking courses from people who are creating knowledge, making discoveries, and producing art, music and design.
The professors here are focused on providing a world-class education to you, create enriching experiences, and guiding you on your journeys to make a good living and lead a good life. Go to office hours—they are offered for a reason!
We strive for excellence, supporting curiosity-driven research, and catalyzing impact and solutions to help our communities and world.
You can also make an impact by working to make the world a better place. Be involved, make your mark, speak up, dig deep and participate in a vibrant world of opportunity here at the University of Oregon.
Before I close, I want to say a word to the parents and families out there, because I know you’re there, if you were like me, lurking about before saying goodbye:
Thank you for all that you have done to help your student get to this amazing milestone!
Encourage your students to connect with others and take advantage of resources. They are listening, even if it may not always seem like it. Finally, be there for your loved one—but let go!
Ok. Back to our new Ducks! School is starting soon. So let me give you your first test. Don’t worry, this one may be the easiest test you’ll have. I too had to pass it when I arrived.
You must show me you know how to throw you O!
So, let’s practice. Make an O like this. It isn’t a triangle.
Let me see your Os!
At the same time, you have to yell – Go Ducks.
Ok – let’s try that all together.
GO DUCKS! You’ve passed your first test with flying colors.
We are so excited you are here. You will achieve, you will be curious, and you will make an impact during your time here.
The next time we will all meet all together will be in Autzen Stadium, in June 2029. I’ll be dressed in similar attire, and you too will be wearing robes. You will be ready to enter the world — ready to make your impact and ready to “throw your O” far and wide.
Have a wonderful first day of college. And GO DUCKS!