To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chancellor Richard Herman" <chancellor@illinois.edu>

Reply-To: chancellor@illinois.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Congratulations Class of 2009

Dear Campus Community: 

As we approach the 138th Commencement in Illinois' history this seems an
excellent opportunity to reflect on where this great university is at this
moment. 

First, let us pause momentarily from the ongoing Sturm und Drang of the
global and domestic recession and celebrate Commencement. Consider this
instead: On May 17, thousands of young women and men that we have inspired,
provoked, and taught, will receive their college diplomas. We are confident
that they will go on to accomplish great things and have productive,
successful lives that will contribute to solving the great challenges of
our times. 

We are a public, research university and, as such, students get to
experience the special nature of that noble mission here at Illinois. This
is what we do so well. This is why we work so hard. And this remains our
greatest gift to society.

Commencement is Illinois unplugged! The occasion is this institution at its
roots, without the usual politics and posturing. This is a time when we can
say without adornment that we have fulfilled that great promise of the
Morrill Act of 1862 to educate this state's bright and motivated young
people and that we have ignited their curiosity and passions, and channeled
their boundless idealism for the betterment of the world. 

I believe this moment is always worth celebrating as if it were the very
first Commencement in our long and rich history. Commencement also allows
us an opportunity to recommit once again to an even better future for
Illinois. 

There are so many wonderful snapshots when I look back on this academic
year and sift through the countless meetings and speeches, the casual talks
with faculty, staff, and students, the investitures and lectures. Or the
pleasure of just walking across the Quad as students rush between classes.
Those moments confirm to me how vibrant this university is and how engaged
its people are in the issues that concern our nation. 

One snapshot in particular was the morning I sat at the Krannert Center for
the Performing Arts with two of my grandchildren listening to Aaron
Copeland's "Lincoln Portrait." I thought back to my earliest memory of that
piece - listening to it on the Mall in DC and hearing Adlai Stevenson
recite the wonderful words that included the phrase "the occasion is piled
high with difficulty."

It struck me that those words are being used with increased frequency and
decibels lately as we as a nation struggle with the recession, two wars,
and, lately, even the swine flu.  

But I would also add that the occasion - this singular moment in time at
Illinois - is rife with opportunity.

The reason that Illinois is such a great institution with limitless
opportunity, and will remain as such long past our short tenure here, is
its people (all of you reading this especially) and our broad, diverse
offerings - our palette of arts and culture, science and technology -
Krannert to NCSA, if you will. Commencement is a time to remind ourselves
of our greatness.

Commencement should also make all of us proud to be stewards of Illinois.
As such we must continue to be mindful that in all that we undertake
excellence must be our ordinary and only standard, whether in teaching, in
research, or in service.  That is one of our most precious core values, a
value, by the way, controlled more by motivation than by resources. 

Last fall when the recession hit its downward stride I said that my only
fear was that in responding to the crisis that we would turn away from our
bold ambitions and retreat into the hard shell of average; that the
exigencies of the near term would keep us from engaging and formulating the
unpredictable and serendipitous - the cornerstones of this university. 

In fact, the opposite happened. You continue to amaze. You continue to
follow the creative path of extraordinary. You chose to move forward toward
a future less bound by the present and the past, while, at the same time,
adhering to the bold values which have defined this great university. 

Our reward comes on May 17 at Assembly Hall when the first graduates of the
Class of 2009 receive their diplomas. This day, too, will be rife with
opportunity. 

Thank you for another great year and thank you for all you do for Illinois.

With gratitude,

Richard Herman
ChancellorThis mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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