Published May 13, 2005 in East Valley Opinions of the Arizona Republic as “Good fortune from bad? Maybe.”
Six thousand eight hundred students graduate from Arizona State University this week. Tomorrow more than 300 of them will receive degrees from the School of Interdisciplinary Studies where I teach, but one student scheduled to graduate will be missing.For many students graduation is the culmination of persevering through the challenges of independence combined with working while attending college. As much as students sometimes fall short of my expectations (they’ll tell you too high expectations), I’m always proud of them as they move on. Commencement stands for a beginning, not an ending. As faculty we hope our seeds of critical thought, questioning, responsible citizenship, and respect for others find fertile ground and germinate as our students move forward with their lives. That, after all, is the true test of a college education. But when I look out tomorrow amid the maroon gowns and mortar boards for the familiar faces of my students as they receive diplomas in front of me, I will have an empty space in my heart for our missing graduate. What is his commencement? Read the rest of this entry »