Commencement 2021: ‘Be the leaders who light the path ahead’
Every challenge the Class of 2021 will face presents an opportunity to lead, President Armacost tells graduates
The following is UND President Andy Armacost’s Commencement Address, as he delivered it on May 15 to the Class of 2021.
To the University of North Dakota class of 2021, to all your family and friends, and to all those who have supported you throughout the journey to your degree, I welcome and thank you for being here to celebrate your success and your accomplishments.
Looking back on all that’s happened over the last four years or so, I think we can agree it’s been a wild and chaotic ride at times. But the important thing is that we’re here today to recognize an achievement that can lead you to a better future – as long as you make use of your education and continue to build on it. Always remember that your desire for knowledge, your hopes, and your dreams are what brought you to UND. Keeping this spirit alive will serve you well as you begin a new chapter in your life.
At UND, we talk about creating leaders who excel at work worth doing. These aren’t just marketing slogans. Finding solutions to problems, identifying what needs to be done, and getting people to pull in the same direction toward a workable solution is critical part of every positive human endeavor.
In fact, we have just witnessed what will likely be recorded as one of the most significant accomplishments in history. In early 2020, we were trying to determine how concerned we should be about the coronavirus. It didn’t take long to decide that it was a very serious global threat to human health. But what should we do about it? That was the question to which there was no clear answer.
Conventional wisdom said that based on experience, it would take too long to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. However, this didn’t deter researchers who rose to the challenge and developed vaccines in less than a year. These vaccines are now showing us a way out of the pandemic and toward a return to normalcy. The term “historic” is used a lot these days, but this was truly an historic event.
None of it could have happened without leaders who believed in themselves, who believed in their abilities, and believed in the skills of their colleagues to develop, test, and distribute effective vaccines. However, you don’t need to head a national research lab, be the CEO of a major corporation, or even a general in the military to be an effective leader who makes a difference.
We all know there are problems – big and small – in everyday life in search of solutions. Whether that’s becoming more efficient in doing our daily tasks or figuring out how to fly a drone on Mars, each of these challenges present opportunities to lead.
Having spent more than 30 years in the military, I believe there’s a misconception that displaying a take-charge attitude is what effective leadership is all about. It’s far more than that. Allow me to share with you some of what I’ve learned.
First, it helps to be optimistic because this translates into organizational optimism, which improves the chances for teamwork. Second, knowing your teammates, believing in their talents, and showing them your trust is crucial to getting good results. Let them see that you, too, wrestle with the same problems they face. Know that how you communicate is important to the team’s performance and success.
Finally, you must leave room in your work for creativity, which will arise from the broad experiences you’ve had at UND and your continued learning throughout your life.
As I mentioned earlier, a commitment to lifelong learning will always serve you well. Have the humility to understand that nobody knows everything. Above all, never forget to show gratitude to those who help and support you. This is expressed in UND’s school song, “Alma Mater,” which encourages us to raise our grateful song while passing the torch from hand to hand.
Today, as we celebrate the passing of the torch once again, I encourage each of you to use the education you’ve received at UND to teach and enlighten others. You have been given the tools to change the world and help improve it through your chosen field.
Remember the University’s motto, Lux et Lex – light and law. Be the leaders who light the path ahead. Be fair while seeking to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others as you work to help build a just society. And please take some time to celebrate your achievements and accomplishments at the University of North Dakota with those closest to you. You’ve earned it.
