Remarks--W. Russell Ramsey

W. Russell Ramsey

GW Board of Trustees Chairman

GW Commencement on the National Mall

Washington, DC

May 18, 2008

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It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to be with you this morning.  I have to say, I don't know if anybody out there has goose bumps, but I don't do this every day.  Does anybody do this every day?  I'm really almost without words, looking out at the smiling faces and the amount of accomplishment that obviously has happened here and is being so honorably celebrated.

For 187 years, The George Washington University has sent graduates out into the world.  Indeed, one of the reasons The George Washington University is a great institution is that we have had 187 years of people who earn their degrees and then continue to care about their alma mater.

I'd like to talk to you for a moment, not only as chairman, but as a fellow graduate.  I earned my degree from The George Washington University in 1981. Twenty-seven years later, I'm still talking about the experience of being a student here.  I can honestly say the chance to go to GW changed my life, and my GW education helped bring me to where I am today.

As you know, graduation can be an occasion for reflection, so let me invite you to reflect today on a couple of things.  When I was sitting where you are 27 years ago, all I knew was that I had myself, my inner beliefs, and what I thought would give me a ticket to as good a life as possible.  The one message you have to know is that you must believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself I can assure you that you've had the benefit of one of the world's great cities, you've had the benefit of one of the world's great administrations, and you've had the caring of people throughout the University who really want to see you go out and make your mark in life. Wherever you go in that first job, in that first new school, in that first new home, make sure you know one thing:  Whatever you want to do, you can do.  If you're willing to outwork the competition and if you're willing to get there early to stay late, you can do whatever you want to do in life.

Look around here today and know that the GW community is thinking about you, we at the Board of Trustees care about you, and we hope to see you coming back for years with smiles on your faces and with accomplishments. We also hope to see many of you back here with sons and daughters and granddaughters.

I'd like to finally say that in your early life, in your mid-life, GW needs you.  We need you to give us your time.  Whatever city, whatever country you're in, we need you to stay connected. We are serious when we say GW, a lifelong community.  We truly are a lifelong community.