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Good morning class of 2016. It is my honor and my pleasure
to speak with you. Today is
one of the most exciting and memorable days of your life-
the start of your college career. Some of you
have been dreaming about this day
since you were 5 years old.
And some of you might not want
to be here at all. However, college is what you make it
I could stand up here for hours laying out what college should be like,
but unfortunately
college is a unique experience
for us all. Although different for all of you,
please remember that you will never be alone.
You are joining one of the largest
and greatest communities imaginable.
In related recent events,
Penn State has become stronger
and has taught us all the importance of standing together.
These next few years are going to be amazing, tough, stressful,
crazy and unpredictable.
There will be many challenging choices to be made.
However you will never be alone.
Whether you turn to a family at home, a friend, a classmate or faculty member,
there is always someone there to help you.
You will discover who you really are by taking risks
and dreaming big.
Get involved on campus.
Join a club, a varsity sport or play intramurals with your friends. Take classes that interest you,
but also challenge
you to think. Do what you have to do
while you're here,
but also do what you want to do. College really is about learning
and some of the important things
you learn in college don't necessarily come all out of your textbooks.
The next four years you will build, shape
and define yourself as an adult, an individual
and a team player.
It does not matter what adult you become,
or what kind of team you play for.
It just has to happen. Look around you.
You aren't here for someone else.
You are here for yourself and that is what matters.
It is up to you to make this journey count.
The journey starts now.
Here is your blank slate.
What are you going to do with it? We are... Penn State.