Kyle Robert Newman '11, Residential Graduate

Hi and hello from us, the graduation class of 2011

Greetings to our guests, and to all... you family & friends, teachers & lovers

you who have given us, for the small price of our attention, so many lifetimes worth of experience

Thank you

Until this moment I only saw the journey in bits and pieces, a camp Eckerd montage

From Autumn term starry-eyed freshmen, to learning by serving, barefoot, in the Amazon, returning to the classroom sharing informed debate on the science of life. Then suddenly I'm in the swings at Kappa Karnival coming down from my last spin. Quickly now, and we're buying our graduation regalia, then studying for finals. Yesterday reunited with my family, and packing my belongs, my life
We have arrived at the present,

Take time to reflect from this peak perspective

To remember the past, embrace the future and Welcome the unknown

Look at this - minds, pregnant with ideas, about to be set free upon the breeze

Travel you will, every breath filling the sails of your dreams, dutifully carrying that Promethian spark to dark places, to ignite curiosity and fan the fires of creativity wherever you go.

Remember, you do not wander alone. In fact we share this blue-green oasis with 6.7 billion other humans. Keep Your eyes and ears are open to the suffering in this world, so you may wonder why & imagine how to live purposefully In the face of social samsara; war, poverty, and waste

Greet the rising suns challenge with a smile, with confidence

As Eckerd graduates we will Act the global citizen, independent from the governance of ignorance and fear,

Always searching for those divine moments in truth, the great mystery

From the noble Hopi people comes this advice, never more poignant and timely.

"All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we have been waiting for."

Thank you and good luck