Grads prepared to face changed world

For those of you graduating this quarter, it is hard to believe
your college career is almost concluded. What seemed such a big
part of your life just a few years ago is now completed so
quickly.

During this time, the world has changed significantly. Our
perceptions of the world, our nation, our state and even our
university have been altered by events and people.

The tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, shocked us into a realization
that not everyone subscribes to the common values the American
culture takes so much for granted. The people of California
recalled a second-term governor and elected a charismatic political
neophyte amid a major financial crisis. The perception of the
University of California’s role in the life of California has
changed from primarily an undergraduate educational institution to
an economic engine for the state.

During your college career, the human population of our planet
has exceeded 6 billion. That number presents a daunting challenge
to the availability of resources, both natural and synthetic. Being
a part of a population of this size, it is not unreasonable to
believe that an individual makes only a minute contribution.

For better or worse, this idea is simply untrue. The decisions
for the entire world are made by a tiny fraction of the
world’s population. That tiny fraction of decision makers are
overwhelmingly graduates of a small number of the best research
universities in the world.

You are among that tiny fraction who will make the decisions for
the world. This will be your responsibility whether you wish it or
not, and by your action (or inaction) you will make decisions for
the whole world.

While many of you will assume positions of responsibility and
consciously chart the paths the world will follow, virtually all of
you will be among the best-informed voters in the most powerful
nation on earth. That may seem like an awesome responsibility. It
is.

I have been privileged to have some of you in my classes. Either
I’m getting older or the students are getting smarter. I
suspect both are true. Assuming this year’s graduates are
similar to the students I have come to know over the past several
years, I am confident you are up to the challenges you face.

Along with the challenge of making decisions for the world, you
have some significant resources. Six billion people on the planet
means the level of human creativity is at an all-time high. This is
an incredible advantage.

If the resources of the planet are to effectively meet the needs
of the population, human ingenuity must become the most valuable
commodity. This, coupled with the instant and broad-based
communication you have available, provides the necessary tools to
meet the challenges facing you.

Few generations have faced such massive challenges, but no
generation has had the resources available to you. You are the
recipients of the old Chinese adage, “May you live in
interesting times.” Your times will be interesting,
challenging, exciting, frightening, rewarding and more. I am
confident you are more than equal to your times. In a real sense, I
am envious of your opportunities.

It has been a privilege to have you as students, and I hope the
knowledge we have shared with you serves you well.

Brunk was the 2003-2004 chair of the Academic
Senate.