To a Generation Leaving School

As each school year comes to a close, another generation of young people are appraised and promoted, graded and graduated. Many, of course, will return to continue their studies; some will go to higher halls of learning; but each year there are many who forever leave school doors behind⎯leave teachers, and campus, and cherished companions. And despite all outward exuberance and all expressions of relief, it is a sober time for youth, as they leave their days of preparation to go out into a world that expects performance. And as they go to assume their share of the world’s burdens and responsibilities, it is exceedingly important that they take with them much more than formal facts committed to memory. It is important that they take with them a reliable sense of values, the ability to sift the facts from the fallacies, the truths from the theories, the essentials from the non-essentials. We must in fairness be reminded that some things we have learned with great effort will soon be forgotten; that some of this year’s textbooks may next year become obsolete; that many theories will change; that added truth is constantly coming to light. But if we have learned to keep our minds open for all that the future may bring forth; if we have learned to value high qualities of character above mere intellectual acumen; if we have learned to avoid intolerant dogmatism, academic or otherwise, and have learned to guard against assuming that our education is complete, we shall be better prepared to meet the many adjustments that are sure to come. And now as to the future: It would be difficult to appraise the permanent prospects of any particular occupation or profession. But no matter what lies before us, character, faith, intelligence, loyalty, and reliability will always be held at high premium; and the future holds much promise for the well-trained young man or young woman so long as he is willing to work and so long as he has not lost the capacity to learn. But more tragic than he who thinks there are no more worlds to conquer is he who thinks he has finished his education. And more tragic than either, is he who supposes that there are no more truths to be discovered, that there are no further facts to come forth.