madavison

“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)