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Valedictorian Address by Roger Olson - Class of 2008
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all my fellow graduates for having the commitment and perseverance
that has brought us all safely to this distant shore. I would also like to express gratitude to the professors that attempted
to throw us a life ring or two along the way.
In preparing my speech I looked at all the graduation speeches I could
find on the internet. They poked fun at the older generation and said how they were going to do things different than those
old fogies. One look in the mirror told me that wasn't going to work for me.
Tonight is a significant milestone for
all of us graduates. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those people in my life that have supported me in reaching
this goal. I was helped by an understanding wife, Terri and by my sons, Ryan and Alex, who encouraged and facilitated my efforts.
I was guided by understanding professors, I was also assisted by my fellow students. And I was kept in good spirits by my
study partners Matt and Dave.
All of us owe a debt of gratitude to the founders of this law school. PCU is a venerable
institution and we have all benefited from its philosophy of providing a gateway into the legal profession for those who would
not otherwise have had that opportunity. The longevity of PCU as an institution speaks for itself.
But, as a graduate
of PCU I recognize that the prestige of a degree from PCU does not come from the status of the institution but from the achievements
and reputation of its students and alumni, whose accomplishments are as varied as they are illustrious. PCU graduates include
successful attorneys, judges, politicians, entrepreneurs, as well as leaders from many other fields. These accomplishments
reflect the nature and character of the people themselves as well as the motivations they had for attending law school. Many
PCU graduates already had successful careers in a variety of other fields. This diversity is what sets PCU graduates apart
from graduates of other law schools.
We have all devoted countless hours, put forth extraordinary efforts and invested
4 years of our lives to get to his point. This achievement deserves no small measure of respect. But the measure of respect
that will be accorded our degree is based in no small part on the success of our fellow graduates. Your achievements, of passing
the bar, practicing law, being elected to public office, being appointed to the bench, or achieving success in your chosen
field, reflect on us all.
It is your achievements, and the achievements of past and future graduates of PCU, that
will validate our attendance of PCU. It is your accomplishments that will lend prestige to our degrees. This is the nature
of PCU.
Because of this, I look to you, my fellow graduates, to validate my accomplishment while at the same time
I must accept responsibility for validating your accomplishment.
I hope that as we go forth into the great unknown
that we will take every opportunity to encourage and foster the success of our fellow PCU graduates in their endeavors. We
must recognize that by supporting each other individually we are enhancing the public perception of PCU as well as creating
a legacy for both ourselves and future PCU graduates.
Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Good luck and
bon voyage."
(Animation courtesy of Animation Library.)
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