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Shriver Tells
Graduates "Pinpoint Your Passion"
Maria Shriver, award-winning journalist and NBC television
news corespondent, told the graduating class of 1998, that "laughter
and love will get you through this thing called life."
Shriver delivered the principal
address and received an honorary degree as Holy Cross graduated
614 seniors and conferred two other honorary degrees at its
152nd Commencement on May 22.
Others receiving honorary degrees
were Bob Cousy '50, athlete, author, broadcaster, coach,
and community service advocate; and the Rev. Gregory J. Boyle,
S.J., director of JOBS FOR A FUTURE, an employment center
for at-risk youth in Boyle Heights, Calif.
Nicholas A. Kenney, a history major
from Atlanta, Ga., delivered the valedictory. In his speech,
Kenney cited Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and human rights
leader. Kenney told the story of a student who went to Douglass
for advice as to what to do with his life. "Douglass looked
at his questioner," said Kenney, "thought for a moment, leaned
slightly forward and calmly but forcefully said three simple
words - 'A-GI-TATE! Agitate! Agitate!'" Kenney said that
the word could be interpreted as a call to agitate for "inner,
personal change."
"We should not accept ourselves
without pushing ourselves," Kenney said. "Today begins a
time when we will be gadflies, when we will test our own
boundaries and capabilities."
Shriver spoke of all the advice
she received regarding what to talk about in her speech.
In the end, she rejected all suggestions and opted instead
to share her "top-ten list of things I wish someone had told
me when I was sitting, like you, at my graduation."
After sharing anecdotes and advice
on career, marriage, and parenting, Shriver concluded by
saying, "There you have it - My report from the fighting
front of the graduate from a Catholic university out there
making it day-by-day in the real world. . . . As you step
out of Holy Cross and into the rest of your lives, I know
you're wondering whether that jittery feeling in your gut
is excitement or just plain fear of the future. Believe me,
it's probably fear. But I want you to remember what someone
wise just told me: Courage is walking through fear with faith.
I wish all of you the faith and courage to pinpoint your
passion, to get out there, be free, and achieve it. Congratulations."
Maria Shriver's Top-Ten List of Things She Wishes She Had
Been Told At Her Graduation:
* Pinpoint your passion.
* No job is beneath you.
* Who you work for and with
is as important as what you
do.
* Your behavior has
consequences.
* Be willing to fail.
* Superwoman is dead.
* Children do change your
career.
* Marriage is hard work.
* Don't expect anyone else to
support you financially.
* Laughter and a sense of
humor about yourself will
smooth the road before you.
C-SPAN will be airing Maria Shriver's Commencement address
during the July 4th holiday weekend. To find out the exact
time of the broadcast
call
C-SPAN at Viewer Services: (202) 626-7963.
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