Part of the rebuilding effort over the years was to start admitting women, who now make up the vast majority of graduates. Your sitting here is evidence that the school has not only survived but also flourished. Deirdra, your salutatorian, hopes to make her mark in the international business arena, and you just have to listen to her speak to know she will make her mark. One of the lessons I learned is that the world is bettered by collective action, but it always comes down to the efforts of individuals taking individual responsibility. Seize the day.
Carpe diem .
Let this graduation be a stepping stone into the world so that you can make a difference in the world. Seriously, today is certainly a time to recall the lessons learned in the past and to celebrate being here together in the present. Well, as we all know, that answer will unfold one step at a time for each and every one of us. But remember that much of what you learned right here at Assumption will act as a roadmap to guide those steps. As you pack up your dorm rooms, you might forget to pack something, but it's actually impossible to leave that roadmap behind.