I am the commencement speaker for my graduation!

[john]

I was chosen to be the commencement speaker for graduation!  I am walking on air!  They said it was inspirational and moving.  I don't know what to say other than it is such an honor!  The hardest part is trying not to be too emotional.  

So there ya go people.  Thanks for all the well wishes!  :kiss:

You can read my speech here: http://www.gstwins.com/college/commence.doc  
This is almost the finished product.  I cleaned up a couple parts since this posting but it's damn close.

[The Buddha]

See you can teach an old dog new tricks... Good to know,  Cos I am 35 and I might be going back for a masters sometime. Just need to figure out what to study...
Cool.
Srinath.

[cozy]

Great speech! Makes me wanna graduate!
It's nice to read one that's not about WMD for a change.
Havin' a graduation party with your GStiwn buds?

[Laura]

Nice job. Proud yet humble, short and sweet.

[spotswood_suzuki]

Very nice speech John.....Congrats

Wayne

[john]

Great speech! Makes me wanna graduate!
It's nice to read one that's not about WMD for a change.
Havin' a graduation party with your GStiwn buds?

Nope.  In the humble tradition I choose not to have a party.  

As far as short and sweet.   Is there any other kind of speech?

[dmp221]

OK here's an honest response.  First let me say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who, as an adult, returns to academic life and achieves success.  Furthermore, being given the honor of commencement speaker is extraordinary.
The speech, to be perfectly candid, sounded like very other boiler-plate graduation speech I've ever heard.  It was very nice, and I'm sure sincere,  but a yawn nonetheless.  
In my humble opinion, an opportunity to say something  of significance or real meaning was missed, and this is often the case in such situations.  It is so much easier, and much more comfortable to do the safe thing and go with tradition, as opposed to doing something really original and creative.
Anyway, I'm sure my honest observation will elicit some anger, and I certainly don't mean to incite.  You absolutely deserve a huge pat on the back for what you have achieved...I'm only critiquing the speech, not you personally and I hope this is received in the spirit in which I offer it.
Best of luck.

[gsJack]

Congratulations, John.

[richard]

on the contrary, I felt that it offered some interesting and unusual insights that most college (or other) gradutation speeches lack.  this is supposed to be a momentous event, and a time to look to the future and reflect on the past.  John has some interesting experiences that most of the students have not experienced, and I think that many of the things he said in his speech were quite a bit different and a break from the usual "we made it go us yay!" speeches you hear.  Sure, there is a little of that, but it was much deeper as well.

anyway, just my $.02.  It's a moot point, since he can't change it now!

good luck, John!