"The Faces of Villanova"

Student Commencement Oration by
Justin Knabb VSB '05
Thank you.  It is simply awe-inspiring and humbling to be up here [on stage]. 

Today is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and with freedom of speech and freedom of microphone, I hope you don't mind if I offer just a few "shout-outs."  First, I'd like to say hello to the College of Commerce & Finance  (this was followed by rousing cheers from C&F graduates... then playful boo's from graduates from the other colleges).  Sorry about that guys... and of course, a shout-out to the entire Class of 2005 (fortunately this brought cheers from the whole crowd).  But I hope you allow me just one more.  I would like to thank my family and especially my mother, Carol Knabb.  I love you all so much and cannot thank you enough for sending me to this wonderful university... a place that has transformed my mind and heart forever.

President McAleese, we are honored to have you with us today.  And, Father Dobbin, Members of the Board of Trustees, administrators, honorary degree recipients, faculty, staff, parents, and friends … it is a privilege to stand before you.

But most importantly on this day, it is a profound privilege to represent my dear friends and peers in the graduating Class of 2005.  On your behalf, I was asked to offer a serious and meaningful reflection on all that is Villanova.  Before I try diving in, I’m curious. “How would you begin to describe Villanova?  How would you begin to explain this place; these years; the times spent with friends sitting to your left and to your right?”  These are not easy multiple-choice questions, of course.

While we have much in common, today—and our entire undergraduate careers—are really our own special, private experiences.  So, I ask that you reflect with me on the surreal reality of today: one look backward and a giant look forward—let’s picture our proud parents way up in that crowd, let’s picture our favorite professors in their wild robes, let’s picture our familiar classmates… now wearing caps and gowns.  On this extraordinary day, we are reminded that we didn’t get here alone.  We know that generations before us helped lay the path to where we sit today.  We know that so many of the people in this crowd helped us reach this point... and we thank them.“How would you describe Villanova?”  I would describe it by these very faces—the faces that define Villanova as a truly great place.  The faces of Villanova: the people that changed your life.  The faces of Villanova: the priests giving homilies; the men’s basketball team saluting the student section; and, of course, our friend Kathy, the omelet chef in the Pit… for several years, these faces made us feel at home here.

And, I’ll miss that feeling of home—that I mattered here, that my ideas meant something, that I was more than employee or student number 33,062.  Where else in the world will we be so accepted?  In our faces, Villanova University recognized our own thirst for human dignity and belonging, and offered us a gift.  Villanova certainly nourished that gift—providing us every opportunity under the sun.  But, more importantly, Villanova has inspired us to take this gift, to see the faces of the weak and the marginalized, and to nourish them also.

The faces of Villanova: they unite beyond the vicinity of Lancaster and Ithan Avenues.  Jesus of Nazareth and Augustine of Hippo urged us all to answer the cry of the poor—to mentor children in inner-city Philly, to participate in Habitat for Humanity, to volunteer in Third World nations… to restore dignity to the voiceless.  Villanova gave us a voice, and Villanova now challenges us to take these degrees, to make something great of ourselves—yes—but to be moved to mercy by the faces of those less fortunate… to be moved to work for peace and justice in this world!

The faces of Villanova: they once came to my  rescue too.  When my mother, Carol, died of cancer my junior year, many faces of Villanova and in this crowd became my clinging hope… my gift, my grace.  Many of us share in these deeply personal encounters of Villanova’s grace.  But, in community, we’ve also experienced this grace together.  As first-year students, we were lost and heartbroken after that difficult day of September 11.  But, as a community, we united in the Pavilion, found comfort in the light of those candles, the bread and the wine, and our own solidarity.  As a community, along with our departed brothers--David Reid and Brian Anderson--we’ve come full circle together... from the send-off at orientation to our send-off today.

We all officially leave this University in some capacity today.  Just like the much-loved story of Jesus and the Transfiguration, we’ve been enlightened and inspired during our time here.  Our scholarly and communal universe is much like the top of the mountain in that story.  Oftentimes life makes perfect sense here.  Yet, the challenge, just like that Biblical story, is to walk back down that mountain, to walk out these gates, and to never lose the magic… to never forget these faces.

Following the example from Jesus and Augustine, we should always be moved to see the very best in each other.  If in each others’ faces we, by instinct, consider mere physical traits, we must search deeper.  If in looking into each other’s eyes, we see a unique human story, a person who is loved, a person who has dreams for their life, a person we truly respect… we can call ourselves Villanovans.

And, the world needs Villanovans.  I believe we’re meant to project out of here like rockets!  Our dreams and our love are so great!  We might soon forget those old textbooks in our wake, but we’ll never forget those special professors who urged us to believe in ourselves.  At times our paths may stretch far from here, but we’ll soon remember the feeling of Villanova community—the standing-room only liturgies in the Church, the frenzy of homecoming and NovaFest.  At times our paths may seem tough, but we’ll never forget the perseverance of our Sweet 16 men’s basketball team.  We weren’t supposed to storm the court against UCLA our first year, nor were we supposed to make a run for the national championship either… but those players did, and they did it with class.

Our recently departed friend and classmate, Brian Anderson, is one of many who strived to be on this stage today.  Well, Brian, we believe you certainly are with us today.  Brian concluded his commencement address this way.  These are his exact words for us on this day, and I am honored to share them with you: “As we prepare to leave the comfort of the campus we’ve learned to call home for what seems like forever, yet has passed in the blink of an eye, there are many uncertainties that lay ahead.  One thing, however, is certain.  In the next few months, employers, grad schools, volunteer organizations, and communities across the country and in some cases, the world, are soon going to realize that there’s something special about this Villanova class; some inexpressible quality that sets us apart.  It is that quality that binds us together, and it is that quality that makes us proud to call ourselves the Villanova Class of 2005.”  Thank you, Brian.

Brian, Dave, and all these faces remind us of the communal, yet personal lessons we take from Villanova.  We reached this day together.  And, together, we march out these gates with our personal memories and our personal dreams.  But all roads lead back to Villanova… all roads can return to these faces—the faces that changed your life.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2005!!

Comments

[Tracy Johnson]

I love it. It brings all the emotions of that weekend rushing back. I cannot wait to read the rest of your posts :-)