Dear Graduates,
Not long before your Commencement, I celebrated a personal milestone graduation as my elder daughter received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University. I thus come to you as both a professor, charged with aspects of your education, and as a parent to a Class of 2026 graduate – and it is from both of those perspectives that I address you now.
First, I want you to know how very proud we are of you! As an SB 1994 Course X alumna, I know first hand that MIT challenges you in ways both expected and surprising, and I know that your perseverance in the midst of those challenges have shaped the persons you have become. Remember that it is your hard work that has brought you to this moment of celebration, along with the relationships you have built along the way. As you move on from this place and this time, please also remember that your commitment and dedication to your professional development will take you far, but your life will be vastly enriched by the people you invite to join you in your adventures along the way. Never forget that you don’t have to go it alone, and that you have much to offer to others.
When we look around at all of the difficulties in our world, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, outmatched, and/or insufficient. But you give me hope. I know that these obstacles, hurdles, and barriers are going to take a lot of hard work to address – and we’ve already established that you have learned how to do that in your time at MIT! I have also seen your brilliance, creativity, compassion, humor, and artistic talents, as well as your refusal to quit. It will take all of that and more to tackle the tough problems that need solutions. You are up to the challenge. It’s your belief in a better world and your willingness to commit yourselves to making it so that gives me hope.
Please know that perfection is neither necessary nor expected. You will have setbacks and disappointments, and I trust that you will learn from these experiences as you continue to grow – just be sure to consider your “controls” and adjust your “experimental conditions” accordingly. Your resilience is an asset, cultivated during your time at MIT. Use it to your advantage, allowing yourselves to try new things and stretch beyond your comfort zones, always knowing that your foundation is strong, serving as an excellent springboard into the unknown.
You are joining a group of more than 150,000 alumni. Enter into community with them (okay, maybe not ALL of them!), forming connections with others who understand the special lingo of courses rather than majors and building numbers instead of names. You know what they are capable of because you know what you have accomplished. Together, you will be stronger and able to go further than you ever dreamed.
Lastly, please know that we, your faculty cheerleaders, will be here, always rooting for you, celebrating your achievements with a warm heart and a knowing smile. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
