Each year when President Bottomly talks, I feel more respect for her. She has deep thoughts and her speech was invigorating and insightful. She talked about the importance of liberal art education in this 21st century. It came down to the point that here in Wellesley, we still a love of learning to all our students and we do it well with quality. By welcoming the new members of our faculty, I felt that not all changes are negative. I was unhappy to see old faculty leaving Wellesley because they have made this place what it is today.
However, we always need fresh ideas, different perspective. The creativity and potential of the college and our learning will broaden. One part of the talk that stayed with me is the ending. A person who wants to make a ship must do it out of curiosity to explore the sea. This metaphor is important to remember as we try to balance the big ideals and daily practical compromises.
Our new college government president has the grace, she has that X factor to make you tick. I carried from her the knowledge that to come to Wellesley, we had our share of hardwork, luck and preparation. What is important now is to make good use of our time here. It is what we do that will matter at the end.
The convocation made me proud of Wellesley. Although they are some things about the college that I do not agree with, beauty of american education ( if not democracy) is the acceptance of difference and if possible, its celebration. As we take our roots and fly our wings, as we embark upon a new adventure, may the curiosity to learn more always lead us. May this year bring new awakening in our lives.
September 8th 2010
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