Davison's Doodle

Commencement Words

“Don’t throw your hat at the end of graduation.  If you don’t bring your hat back you cannot receive your diploma.”  Those are the words I remember from my high school graduation.  The school rented the caps and gowns.  You had to return what was signed out to you to receive your diploma.  I somewhat remember walking across the stage to get my diploma from the principal and school superintendent.  I remember my parent’s faces as I passed them in the procession and recession.  I’m sure someone spoke, student representatives, as is the norm, but I don’t remember anything that was said.

“You were educated to know how to ask questions, to think, and to recognize that you need more than one or two sources of news and information.  Keep reading.”  I know Chancellor Tucker said many other words at my graduation at Texas Christian University, but it is those I remember.   “This is for you.” I said to Chancellor Tucker, tipping him a dollar when I picked up my diploma with the customary grab with the left and shake with the right.  I also remember standing with Rev. Dr. Ambrose Edens, my advisor and a mentor, just prior to the procession of graduates.  “You made it.  Never doubted you would, but we both know Mr. Davison that there were moments you could have been better.  Do better in seminary.”  He looked around. “This will be about 3 hours in and out.  Do your best to remember some part of it other than getting your diploma.”  Dr. Edens had taught at TCU for 35 years at that point so he had been through a few graduations.  I later learned it was his habit to walk the graduation line seeking out a few religion majors and minors to drop words of wisdom upon.  Dr. Edens offered words about the “Golden Apples” of ministry at my ordination into Christian Ministry a few years later.

I remember being ‘hooded” at my graduation from Brite Divinity School, but don’t recall hearing any words other than Dr. Toni Craven whisper, “Congratulations Michael” as she placed the Master of Divinity hood on me as I knelt in Robert Carr Chapel.  The words from my days at Brite that have stuck with me are those shared with others preparing for ministry around the pool at Princeton House, and in Professor’s offices discussing theology, education, and exegesis.  One of the theology professors, Dr. Glenn Routt, once asked me, “Are you an iconoclast?  Is that your role in ministry?”   The words that stay with me from a formal setting at Brite are those of the Dean, Rev. Dr. M. Jack Suggs, who during my first opening convocation offered what I paraphrase, “There will be times in ministry when it seems like all you do is turn the crank that births the babe of Bethlehem and stands at the empty tomb of Christ each year.  There is much more to do, but sometimes that may well be all you can do.  Strive to do more.”

Many have or will sit through the commencement speech again this year.  I spend some time listening to or reading commencement addresses.  Part of what I do in ministry is about words.  I was taught, and continue to believe, that words have power: written and spoken.  It is a good place to pause and note that I don’t like reading for the pleasure of reading.  Being somewhat dyslexic, yes, you can be dyslexic somewhat, reading something that interests me is tiring.   Back in 2014, NPR put together a list of what their panel considers “The Best Commencement Speeches, Ever.”  Some are video.  Some are written. They include great quotes.

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.”
(Alan Alda, Connecticut College, 1980)

“I’m a huge fan of America,…you know the [fans] that read the CD notes and follow you into bathrooms and ask you all kinds of annoying questions about why you didn’t live up to that.”
(Bono, University of Pennsylvania, 2004)

“You cannot authentically live anyone’s life but your own. That is the deal life offers us.”
(Gabrielle Giffords, Scripps College, 2009)

“Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.”
(Theodor ‘Dr. Seuss’ Geisel, Lake Forest College, 1977)

There are many more ‘commencement exercises’ to come this season, but these are some of my favorites so far for 2016 that you can access via the web.

Sheryl Sandberg, (UC Berkley, Ma7 16, 2016)

President Barack Obama, (Rutgers University, May 15, 2016)

Lin-Manuel Miranda, (University of Pennsylvania, May 16, 2016)

Michael Smerconish, (Widener University, May 21, 2016)

David Axelrod, (Eureka College, May 14, 2016)

Tyler Perry, (Tuskegee University, May 7, 2016)

Connections

It is called ‘social media.’  Really, it is letters and phone calls woven into the fabric of every day life that only requires an internet connection.  Once upon a time, a person had to be intentional about keeping connections with persons from their past, now it’s as easy as searching Facebook, Twitter, or your favorite ‘social media’ platform.

There was a time in life when people would come and go through school, youth group, or jobs and I would most likely loose touch with the persons that I shared significant experiences.  It’s part of growing up and defining identity after graduation, or a job change, or when people move away to another community, political or religious place.  I often wonder what kind of men the boys of my Boy Scout troop became.  For three years the eight of us that made up the Eagle patrol explored the woods of East Texas, learned to cook in a dutch oven, got lost, fought snakes, and helped our Scout Master read a map.  This was long before GPS.  Our Scout Master often got the troop lost on the way to a weekend camp-out so we became proficient setting up tents by the glow of flashlights.  I wrote short stories back then based on those experiences.  After we moved from Paris, TX to Beaumont, TX, those hand written stories about boyhood adventures, like the lives of those close friends, are part of distant memories stirred by the smell of a campfire or seeing current Boy Scouts struggle to learn knots.

Here in the 21st century, staying connected is much easier and can happen with less intentionality. People from the past pop up in my newsfeed on Facebook and Twitter alerts me to new members and followers.  It is easy to hit the code created “follow” button and observe, or lurk, or troll people.  Are we more connected than ever?  Yes.  Are we more disconnected, more misunderstood, more isolated in opinion, economic status, politic and religion than ever?  Yes.  It’s easier for the pugilists in our context.

What I like about ‘social media’ is that I get to observe what kind of adults the youth that have been a part of a mission trip, study trip, church camp, leadership team, or youth group have become or are becoming. I also stay connected to the adults that gave their time, life experience, and faith experience in all of those settings.  There are many I could cite dating back to 1985.  A current example is Colton.  He just graduated from Eureka College and is heading to seminary this fall.  Colton returned to his home congregation here in Oklahoma after attending our International Affairs Seminar when he was in high school.  The study topic for the trip was faith and economics.  Colton’s congregation asked him to give the sermon and talk about what he learned on the trip and his experience.  He sent me a copy of his words. An eighteen year old stood in the pulpit of his congregation and began, “I’m a 21st century slave owner and so are all of you.”  Here are Colton’s thoughts on “Learning to Love” published on [D]mergent.

Learning to Love
Colton Lott | July 3, 2015

I know first-hand that it takes everyone of all backgrounds to be the change we wish to see in the world; I was taught to love all of God’s children by my grandmother, who began campaigning in me back in 2004.  Click here to read more.