Faculty News

Communications Program Director Welcomes New Students at Fall University Convocation

Scott Gratson, Director of the Communications Program and Director of SCT Undergraduate Studies, welcomed members of the Class of 2012 at the Fall 2008 Temple University Convocation.

Here are excerpts from his remarks:

“When I think of the wealth of my experiences at Temple, I ultimately find myself reflecting back on the journeys of you, the students. At Temple, we celebrate who and what we are through our unique origins.

“In some way, our journeys at Temple will take us across the globe. For example, at the beginning of each day, the sun rises at Temple University in Tokyo as a professor tells her class ‘kanishewa’. Further, a student raises a cup of midday cappuccino at the Piazza del Poppolo at Temple’s campus in the Eternal City of Rome. Further yet, at tea time at our program in London, students, your peers, discuss the never ending impact of Shakespeare, and the meaning of fish and chips and Austin Powers.

“Meanwhile back in the States, as the sun is setting over the gardens at Ambler and on the now dwarfed statue of William Penn, an avid sports fan of a student walks near our Center City campus, hoping — knowing — that the our university’s national title will be followed with the same from Philly’s sports teams.

“Our journeys will take us even further. We are with the Honors student on his bicycle trip of over one thousand miles across the rural South, done solely to better understand the needs of America’s farmers. Meanwhile, a group of students gathers around a table in the student center, discussing efforts to help families in the war torn areas of the Sudan or Darfur by building houses, believing that safety, homes and dignity are nonnegotiable human rights.

“At Temple University we celebrate who we are and what we are but what are we? We are the aborigine and the Asante, the Creole and the Cree, coming together in this great marketplace of ideas and expression. With the raising of each rainbow flag, the celebration of each Cinco de Mayo, the retelling of each Juneteenth, we rally in our shared history.

“We are all part of this community and here we say, yes, I will stand for my brother’s inclusion and yes, I will stand for my sister’s progress because here, in this community, I am their keeper.

“We are here due to sacrifices made by our families, our parents and relatives, our mothers and fathers, our spouses and partners. Those who woke up before dawn so our life will be in a better light with one instruction: Go and learn, so that your life may be better than my own. At Temple University, we will not disappoint them.

“We are those who hope to dream and know that there is nothing wrong with a dream except when it is a dream differed. And here that dream will not dry up or fester or run. Instead, here, it shall thrive.

“At Temple University we celebrate who and what we are but what are we? Students, staff and faculty, Provost and President, who are we?

“We are many -- for we are Temple. Welcome.”