I spoke at graduation. All I could figure out to do was tell the audience to be a tree and how much the graduates mean to me

It was well received.

I have been to over 50 graduation ceremonies, mostly on the platform party. I’ve heard many excellent graduation speeches and remember absolutely nothing from them. In May 2025, I spoke at our department ceremony. I am quite worried for future generations and didn’t really have practical advice to say in my remarks that would be meaningful.

So, as a forestry major with an unusual fondness of trees, I told them to be a tree in (it will make sense below) and sang a John Gorka song about being a tree; and a Bob Dylan song expressing my hopes and dreams for students that I care so much about.

You can watch and hear the delivery of these short remarks and the playing singing of two songs (only 11 minutes) by clicking the You Tube picture below (or you can save 70% of your time and just read the remarks below. The songs are good, though.

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• Thank you, Anaya for that amazing introduction.

• Thanks also to all my biology colleagues that are here today. The Biology department is a great to place work.

• And, thank you to all of the students, family members and friends for granting me ten minutes to talk and sing to you

• This morning I counted that I have been on the platform for over 50 graduation and commencement ceremonies. I walked in two ceremonies as a graduate, and watched my stepson graduate in two ceremonies. I even spoke at a couple of ceremonies.

• The zipper of my robe wore out today signaling my last time on the platform as I move to phased retirement.

• I love graduation ceremonies but they are an endurance test.

• I have heard a lot of graduation remarks. Some were given by famous people. Some were given by people who charge a lot of money. I thought most of the remarks were really good in the moment.

• But I only remember the name of one speaker, and I don't remember anything that any of them said

• So, I am hoping to do something different and provide you with some memories.

• So, let me start by disrobing…. Oh don’t worry, it is just easier to play the guitar without this robe.

• Before I start doing that, I have a few things to say.

• We tend to use graduation and commencement as interchangeable words. But, they are quite different.

• Graduation marks the end of a long journey. Commencement marks the beginning of a longer and more uncertain and anxiety-ridden new journey.

• My remarks, like too many class lectures, will be backwards. I will start with commencement and end with graduation

• You can set your attention span for 11 minutes.

• So, let's commence

• The standard commencement speech generally weaves personal experiences into a story that leads to several points of advice for graduates. In this crazy time, I am at loss of what useful advice I can give.

• I lost some sleep over this

• Then it hit me. I do have one piece of metaphorical advice based on having been a forestry major with an unusual fondness for trees.

• That advice is: Be a Tree!

• OK-- I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but hear me out

  • Trees are really well grounded and deeply rooted.

  • When trees are stressed by the environment, they can't run away. They have extraordinary mechanisms that allow them to survive and thrive under stress, meeting challenges head on.

  • Trees defy gravity. They move gallons of water daily from the soil hundreds of feet up the stem, without using an erg of energy.

  • Trees are strong and stout,

  • Trees also bend and lean in a storm

  • Trees provide oxygen, food, shelter, habitats, and shade for many other organisms. All while continuing to grow sometimes for hundreds of years- or in the case of clonal trees, thousands of years

  • Most importantly, in today’s context, trees always, always, always grow towards the light until they die

• So, be a tree

• Your program has the words to a song, Branching out by John Gorka. It is about wanting to be a tree.

• Please feel free to sign along in the chorus.

When I grow up, I'm gonna be a tree
Make my home with the Birds and the Bees
Squirrels they can count on me
When I grow up, I’m gonna be a tree

I’ll let my joints get stiff and put my feet in the ground
Take winters off and settle down
Keep my clothes till they turn brown
When I grow up I’m gonna settle down

I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
For the sky

I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
Until I know why

When Spring comes I’m gonna get really green
When dogs come by I’m gonna get real mean
On windy days, I'll bend and lean
When I grow up I’m gonna get real green.

If I should fall in storm or slumber
Please don’t turn me into lumber
I would rather be a Louisville Slugger
Swinging for the seats.

I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
For the sky

I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
I’m going to reach
Until I know why

• That concludes the first part.

• Now a song for graduation. It isn’t a celebratory song. It is more about my personal feelings about watching people I care about end a chapter of their life that included me…knowing I probably won’t be in future chapters.

• Those of you who took classes with me, or engaged with me, truly feel to me like members of my extended family, even if you hated my classes.

• I am in awe of so many of the students here today because I know the challenges they overcame to get to this point. As a group they are talented, resilient, humble and are great people. They inspire me everyday.

• So, congratulations graduates, you crossed an education milestone that only 38% of the US population and 7% of the world's population has crossed.

• And, you made it in one of the hardest majors. Be proud. And, please feel ridiculously fine!

• I am sad that you are leaving the proverbial nest, and I will always be happy if you contact me in the future.

• This song, Forever Young, by Nobel Prize winning poet, Bob Dylan, articulates what I hope for you.

• It does so better than anything I could ever say. Excuse me if I tear up

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and strong
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
Should the winds of change shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young

That's it. Congratulations!

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