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| Kindergarten graduation a long long long time ago |
© 2016 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. “People
in school today can expect a lifetime in which knowledge itself will radically
change, not only in its details but in its structures; so that the mark of a
truly educated person will no longer be how much or even how variously he
knows, but how quickly and how completely he can continually learn.” Richard
Kostelanetz, 1986
At my high school graduation in 1968
the speaker told us that we were the leaders of tomorrow so we must go out and
take charge of the world. The next day I was hunting a job and was not selected
to take charge of anything. The big liar.
It was also mentioned that the older
generation watching us graduate in 1968 were ready for us to take over the
management of the world. Nope, that would be thirty years later. But it sounded
good that night and we felt great as they called our names and we got our
diploma.
I
was thinking of graduations past because it is graduation time at New Mexico
State University and the University of New Mexico. I am an alum of both
institutions and have also worked for both. At the graduation ceremony there
will be that long wait and then the short walk across the stage.
Almost
twenty years ago I got a Ph.D. That graduation they did the advanced degrees
last. So Swickard is late in the alphabet. There was only one person behind me
when the people noticed that the ceremony was coming to an end.
My
name was called and the entire audience yelled and clapped. My Aunt Shirley
later remarked I had lots of friends. No, I assured her, it was just the
ceremony had gone on a couple hours and they were glad it was over. But I
digress. What I want to talk to this graduating class about is the never-ending
learning they must do.
As
the quotation by Richard Kostelanetz in 1986 points out: these graduates will
have a lifetime in which knowledge will radically change, not only in its
detail but in its structures; so that the mark of a truly educated person will
no longer be how much they know but how completely they can continually learn.
Often
we paint a picture of graduates as wise men or women come down from the ivory
towers to take their places in the work-a-day world. Most of us in college spent
long hours on subjects which have little relevance to the world, but in doing
so we have learned to learn, and that is a great thing.
The
employers will some of these graduates. Quickly though, it is what they can
learn to do on the job which will impress people. It can be called, “Just in
Time Learning.” Very quickly graduation will cease to be mentioned, the focus
will be on what they learned that week.
The
college graduates are celebrated now for an achievement called graduation. The
real celebration is for their ability to learn. So I have two messages for the
graduates, congratulations on getting this far, and, more importantly, keep on
learning!
But there is more. Some will learn
to build wealth; some will always be in debt. Some will find a partner in life
and face the world with someone by their side while others will not. The most
satisfied and successful people will be well-rounded and will learn how to live
life well.
None of this happens by accident. You
must take charge of your life and understand the financial side of life so that
in your 50s you can retire if you so desire. With a secure wealth, not flashy
money to throw around but debts erased and money socked away you can try your
hand at other things rather than work until you drop.
You can be free of the debt chains if
you are disciplined financially.
Email: drswickard@comcast.net - Swickard’s new
novel about New Mexico, Hideaway Hills,is now available at Amazon.com
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