Heard Around Campus

Spring 2013 saw a host of events and speakers …

. . . J U S T I C E

“Judges have an important responsibility to inform voters about the workings of the legal system. The rule of law is one of the great assets we have as a nation. People come to this country to do business for various reasons … our great educational system is one of those. But more than that, they come here because of the rule of law, the system that allows fair and impartial settlement of disputes in court. We cannot afford in this tremendously competitive global environment to let this advantage slip away.”

– The Honorable Tom Phillips, Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, 2013 Kenneth Street Law Symposium

. . . I M P AC T

“When you touch the lives of Austin College students, you touch the lives of everyone they touch. Consider that Mike taught someone like (trustee and 1975 alumnus) Don Gibson, a heart surgeon, and think about the hundreds of lives Don has saved. … We know Mike Imhoff’s fingerprints are all over those individuals.”

– Marjorie Hass in tribute to Mike Imhoff at the May 2013 Board of Trustees dinner

. . . S E R V I C E

“You might wonder if one person can make a difference in the world and I’m here to tell you it can. … Relationships are the most important thing in life. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, to see life through their eyes, is one of the most important skills you can have in this interconnected world. … If you let the call to service inhabit your mind for the rest of your life, it will serve you well.”

– Carolyn Hessler-Radelet, Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, Class of 2013 Commencement address, May 19, 2013

. . . E N C O U R A G E M E N T

“As you begin the second act of your life, don’t be distracted by the carnival barkers, selling their wares, promising life, health, and beauty. Don’t be discouraged by global warming, or terrorist threats, or economic uncertainty. I encourage you to persevere in your future by making a difference through personal integrity, and community service wherever you live. Those who have gone before us have passed on to us their faith in God, doing justice, and community service. We would not believe if it were not for them, and a future generation will believe because we keep the faith, because we bear witness, because we follow God.”

– Dr. Fred Morgan ’67, Pastor Emeritus, Hope Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas, delivering the Class of 2013 Baccalaureate sermon

. . . H O P E

“Sitting next to you in the same polyester gown, are the movers and shakers of our generation. Under these cardboard hats are the people who are going to make a difference and change our world; they are the people who can inspire you and give you hope for a brighter future. My hope is that you never forget your strength; you fearlessly pursue your passion; you learn from your failures; you question norms; and you never overlook life’s small joys while searching for the big ones. My hope is that you may always remain infected with hope and the knowledge that you are truly incredible and can accomplish anything.”

– Catherine Stodola, Class of 2013 Senior Speaker, May 19, 2013

. . . A S P I R A T I O N

“You have to find your own center. It is our unique human trait to aim for ascension … break through to the other side, if you will.”

– James Surls, discussing his art form and the return of his sculpture “From the Center” to campus

. . . H U M I L I T Y

“I’m suggesting you can do whatever you want. I’m saying human beings can do anything they want and have confidence in that. Have confidence in what you can do, but when it comes to manipulating other people, that is when I’m appealing to you to be humble.”

– Will Cain, news analyst and Sherman native, 2013 Will Mann Richardson Lecturer

. . . F A I T H

“As a church-related institution, we approach all students with humility, hospitality, and honesty. We don’t tell students how God wants them to be. We make room for them to be who they are. We also don’t apologize that there is a cross on top of the steeple in the middle of campus.”

– Chaplain John Williams ’84, May 2013 Presbyterian Today magazine

. . . L E A D E R S H I P

“We now live in a time where a small group like us can touch the whole world … Completely rethinking education—that could be a very powerful thing. … Now we have the tools to personalize education. For every Albert Einstein, there are maybe 10 or so others who’ve squandered their chances. If we can reach, say a beggar in Calcutta, who knows what he or she can become? … Now we can give orphans in Mongolia the exact same educational experience as Bill Gates’ kids.”

– Sal Khan, 2013 Austin College Posey Leadership Award Recipient and Founder of Khan Academy, which seeks to provide basic education to everyone around the world