Good morning, graduates, ladies and gentlemen! I am delighted and honored to be with you today and I want to thank Chancellor Henry Yang and Dean John Woolley for this opportunity.
I want to begin by commending all of you for your accomplishments and dedication in pursuing your academic dreams for what I'm sure will be a fulfilling and inspired professional career.
Today's ever-changing world makes a broad education more important than ever, and your presence here today guarantees that you have laid a foundation for successful global interaction, which will continue to serve you, and society, well into the future.
Globalization is paramount in every sector of today's society, higher education included. As such, students need a practical understanding of a world that includes many diverse cultures, and economic and political systems.
Your degrees today represent this diversity, and I would like to take a minute to acknowledge all your areas of study:
- Asian American studies
- Black studies
- Chicano studies
- Communication
- Global studies
- Law and society
- Political science
- Sociology; and
- Women studies
Your academic experience has undoubtedly taught you new ways of understanding the world and those around you, an attribute that will enable you to work and communicate in what is considered to be a truly global arena.
Seeing you here today, I cannot help but reflect back on my own commencement ceremony, standing as you are at the brink of my own future. I received my B.A. in history from CSU Fullerton, then earned my secondary teaching credential from CSU Long Beach. From there, I returned to my high school alma mater to teach for several years, later serving on the Santa Barbara County School Board.
Education has always been a central tenet of my personal and professional endeavors, the nucleus of all my aspirations and convictions. And as a product of public education, I am always mindful of the advantages afforded to me by having attended and graduated from the finest public higher education system in the land.
Now as you join the ranks of the millions who came before you, it's important to note that this accomplishment comes with responsibility. In a sense, the taxpayers of this state have invested in you and now they will be looking for return on their investment. You can repay them in a myriad of ways. By being a good citizen; a good spouse; father or mother. By working hard at your job and getting involved in your community.
And I would add a special plea that as a graduate of public education you prioritize our future generations. Our schools are only as good as your community makes them; I have never seen as well supported school that hasn't excelled academically.
So as you embark on your diverse careers , I ask that you stay in touch with your local schools. There are so many ways to help. You can volunteer, mentor a child, donate money or time, run for school board, or join the PTA — just to name a few.
And as our state's top education official, I will commit to you that I will continue to make education in California my number one priority, focusing on accountability, access and opportunity. My guiding principles will continue to stem from the belief that all students can learn; and,
- All students deserve an equitable opportunity to succeed.
- All students require a safe and healthy environment for learning.
- All students need physical, emotional, and intellectual support from their schools, families, and communities to succeed.
As I share in your commencement ceremony today, I am empowered and prepared to meet the fiscal challenges we now face in California, with the ultimate goal of offering continued world-class education opportunities to all future students.
Working together, we will create this dynamic, world-class education system, equipping all students with the knowledge and skills to not only excel in college and careers, but to excel as parents and citizens as well.
Remember, your journey is not ending here today, rather it continues, toward the discovery of your life's work. Emerson once said, "every person has their own vocation, and talent is the call."
Thank you, and congratulations 2003 UCSB graduates!
