Purdue News

August 6, 2000 Beering tells grads to tolerate imperfection, strive for excellence WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue President Steven C. Beering told new graduates today (Sunday, 8/6) during his final commencement speech that they need to be tolerant of imperfections, but always strive for excellence. Approximately 1,070 Purdue University students were eligible to receive degrees during commencement ceremonies in the Elliott Hall of Music. Beering told the new graduates that a recent speech by a Stanford University professor opened his mind to idea that the success of Western civilization is in part an acceptance of imperfection. "When you examines these words, our tolerance of a society that is less than perfect is at the very heart of the American way of life," Beering said. "Now, this does not mean that we should discourage excellence or foster mediocrity. On the contrary, today we are here to celebrate excellence and the fulfillment of human potential. You students who will receive new Purdue degrees in a few minutes have worked very hard to make yourselves the best you can be, just as this institution strives to reach new levels of achievement every day." Beering noted that plurality and diversity are the cornerstones of our society. "The genius of the American way of life is that it recognizes that there are many answers, not just one. Instead of consolidating power at the center, we strive to release that power, the initiative, the creativity and the productivity of our people. This has produced over the years the most prosperous and successful society in the world's history. "It also has produced a means of governing ourselves that with all its imperfections is at once strong, effective and flexible. The preamble to our Constitution -- one of my favorite pieces of American literature -- contains one of the most eloquent statements of a plan of action ever written. Listen to these simple words: 'The goal is to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty.' "That's it. The Preamble and the rest of the Constitution say nothing about making America a world power, giving us prosperity or material benefits, addressing the concerns of special interest groups or even uplifting us morally. We leave those things to individual initiative and creativity within the law. The concept is so simple and so effective that it has endured and grown stronger over more than two centuries. It has survived not only war and economic catastrophe, but even ineptitude, immorality, and corruption at the highest levels. "It is a system that works better than any other governmental system ever has worked. I believe the secret is that you and I are being given choices and opportunities, instead of mandates and guarantees. "This graduating class, like every Purdue class for the past 125 years is here because you made some important choices. Because you made mostly smart choices, you will leave here today with a Purdue degree that is going to give you a great many options for the rest of your life. "You also will have choices about how to set priorities. Will you decide to climb the career ladder as fast and as high as possible or will you make service to others one of your goals throughout your life? Will you consider wealth or time with your family more valuable? Will you become a leader or a follower in your community? "Only you can answer these and similar questions. And you can answer them any way you choose, because you have empowered yourself through education." Beering also added a piece of advice to the new Purdue graduates. "It is to simply keep those learning muscles you have developed at Purdue flexed at all times. This degree should be the beginning of a lifetime of learning. The fast-track world you will live and work in will demand that you constantly acquire new knowledge. But more importantly, you will be happier, healthier, more productive people if you discipline yourselves to keep learning on throughout your entire lives. If you do that, you will always have multiple options, and you will recognize that every day is full of gifts." After Beering completed his remarks, Timothy McGinley, president of the Purdue Board of Trustees thanked the outgoing president for his 17 years of service to the university. This was the 181st commencement ceremony at Purdue. The university has been recognizing summer graduates at the West Lafayette campus every year since 1984. CONTACTS: Beering, (765) 494-9708 To the Purdue News and Photos Page