December 18, 2005

Purdue president encourages graduates to continue learning

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University President Martin C. Jischke today (Sunday, Dec. 18) told new graduates to make the most of their education by reaching their potential and using their skills to enrich the world.

Jischke spoke to 1,695 graduates and their families and friends at two commencement ceremonies in the Elliott Hall of Music. This was the university's 197th commencement.

Jischke told graduates that hard labor, solid work ethics and entrepreneurship helped make the United States strong, but education remains at the heart of America's limitless potential for greatness. In the 18th century, however, higher education was reserved mainly for wealthy and elite men.

In the mid-1800s, Justin Morrill, a Vermont congressman, led a movement to make higher education a right for all people.

"It was a turning point in history when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862," Jischke said. "That act provided the means for states to create new universities dedicated to learning, discovery and engagement – all for the public good."

Within eight years, 37 states had established institutions of higher learning, and Purdue was among them, Jischke said. Today, there are 105 land-grant universities, and they were among the first to advance educational opportunities for women and minorities.

"If Justin Morrill returned today, he would be justifiably proud of not only the land-grant higher education system that he created, but the impact it has had on our nation and, indeed, the world," he said.

The three missions of land-grant universities – learning, discovery and engagement – apply to people as well as institutions, Jischke said.

"We must all be learners, all our lives," he said. "Your education does not end with this commencement ceremony."

Jischke spoke of the artist Michelangelo, who continued to work until the very end of his life, just weeks short of his 89th birthday. In his last years, Michelangelo told those around him, "I still learn."

Along with learning, Jischke told graduates he hopes they pursue opportunities for discovery.

"Some discoveries are personal in nature. They are life-changing," he said. "Some discoveries open whole new possibilities. They are world-changing."

Engagement, or playing an active role in the community, is the final mission of land-grant institutions, and also should be a mission for the graduates, Jischke said.

"If you want to find real happiness in your lives, help someone else find happiness in theirs," he said. "As graduates of a great land-grant university, today you are reaching out to fulfill the same missions in your lives that have been the hallmark of Purdue for 136 years."

The morning commencement ceremony was for students in agriculture; engineering; liberal arts; and pharmacy, nursing and health sciences. Degrees in consumer and family sciences, education, management, science, technology, and veterinary medicine were awarded in the afternoon ceremony.

Jennifer Lindsey Dayton of Indianapolis, who received a bachelor's degree in audiology and speech science and a bachelor's degree in psychology, provided the student response during the morning ceremony. Young Kyu Lee of South Brunswick, N.J., who received a bachelor's degree from the School of Management, provided the student response during the afternoon ceremony.

DVDs of the commencement ceremonies are available for purchase by contacting the Elliott Hall of Music Box Office at (765) 494-3933. The DVDs cost $30 and need to be ordered within two weeks following the ceremony.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Martin Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Abby Bryant, assistant registrar for academic programs, commencement and departmental projects, (765) 494-8219, bryantah@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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