You all participated in distance learning long before it was fashionable. UMUC has been in the forefront in developing innovative ways of making quality higher education available, convenient and affordable. Look for your alma mater to continue its leadership in the future. Many will attempt to imitate UMUC but I predict that few, if any, will be nearly as successful. But you already know that.
Graduation speeches are often timely and topical.
After all, people have graduated during wars, depressions, periods of societal unrest, international crises and other interesting backdrops. It used to be that most technological advances made life better in many ways. I daresay that many of you will build your careers around expanding the information age frontiers. Meet the shadowy future without fear and with a courageous heart. There is an old Chinese proverb that says May you live in interesting times.