A Time for Bridge-Building Leadership

The National Hispanic University
Commencement Address by
Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D.
June 6, 2009

Good morning! Thank you, Mr. Alvarez, for that very generous introduction and for your stellar service in guiding this university as chairman of its Board of Trustees. President Lopez, Board of Trustees, distinguished faculty, proud parents, family, friends and The National Hispanic University graduating class of 2009, I am profoundly honored and deeply humbled to have been asked to share this day with you. I want to thank President Lopez for his outstanding leadership of this fine university as well as the leadership and passion that he brings to educational issues, from pre-kindergarten through doctoral studies, for all children both within California and across this nation. President Lopez, we are all truly privileged to have someone of your caliber and commitment in our community.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to recognize my beautiful wife, Dr. Jacqueline Copeland Carson, whose love and support over 14 years continues to sustain and inspire me.

When President Lopez called and so graciously asked me to be today’s commencement speaker, my first question, which I am sure that at least some of you also have asked, was “Why me?” After all, I can claim no Latino heritage and, despite my best efforts, I have made little headway learning to speak or read Spanish. His reply was refreshing: He told me he believed that my ongoing and unwavering commitment to social justice – creating a world where we all live in communities and countries where each and every one of us has the opportunity to achieve our full potential – was a message you should hear. He also asked that befitting a university of the caliber and stature of National Hispanic University that my message urge you to think in new and different ways about the leadership opportunities and challenges that will confront this graduating class. Graduates of 2009, I know that today is the result of long days and endless nights of hard study and sacrifice. I know that some of you are the first in your family to receive a college degree and others of you have had to overcome significant difficulties. All of you have earned this day and we are here to honor and celebrate your accomplishments.

As you look with anticipation to a future in which it is more likely than at any other point in history that the only limit to what you can achieve will be your drive and hard work coupled with a little good luck, I ask that at some point during the day you thank the mothers, fathers, family members and friends who supported you in achieving this dream. A kind word and a loving hug will tell all who helped you that you appreciate their financial and emotional support and that you are fully aware that you have been able to reach your goals because you stand on their shoulders.

Graduates, I am keenly aware that mine is the last lecture that you have to endure before receiving your degrees and so I will keep my remarks short and talk about only two things.

First, I want to talk about why National Hispanic University is more needed today than ever before. Second, I want to talk about the enormous leadership responsibilities that will fall to the Latino community in general and to the graduates of this university in particular. The Latino community will have an important role to play engaging in and helping to lead the critical discussions that must take place as we shape America’s future in uncertain times over the next century.