Speeches & Statements
The Big Picture
- Date: 05/14/2006
- Author: Dr. Luis M. Proenza (President, The University of Akron)
- Location: UA Commencement, E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall
So, here you are now poised to go out there, into the "real world," as they say; you are ready to go forth, to "commence." After all, that is what this ceremony is all about - marking your passage from here to there.
And, in getting from here to there, you hopefully have learned that perspective is important; that you need to get the big picture; to see the forest from the trees; to gain the 40,000-foot view or better yet, the global view.
Indeed, I often use a satellite photo of Ohio taken at night to make a point about the emerging dynamics of our regional economy.
Now you may well ask: "What can be seen when taking a picture of the earth at night?" And that is a good question. But in effect, what we see is a pattern of light that defines the economic demography of our state. And that is very much a picture of a single, regional entity, where the boundaries between counties and cities become invisible.
Because what we see when we look at this satellite photo is all of Northeast Ohio as one great big luminous whole, broad along the lake and tapering down towards Akron and Canton - one large dynamic region, indeed the largest economic region in all of Ohio.
That satellite picture is featured in his year's "A Report to the Community" for The University of Akron, which was included along with the newspaper this morning. Be sure to look for it and let us know what you think.
So, let me leave you with yet another kind of big picture - a big picture for you the class of 2006 to carry forward.
And I can think of no better words than those written by Theodor Geisel. Now, most of us know him by his middle name: Seuss - Dr. Seuss, as he signed his books.When he died in 1991, his last book, Oh, the Places You'll Go, was still on the bestseller lists. It is a timeless classic that will always be as appropriate for a five-year-old as it is for this college graduating class.
So to you, the class of 2006, let me offer this tribute in the words of Dr. Seuss, specifically in words taken from that classic of his, Oh, The Places You'll Go.
So here it goes:
"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."You'll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, ‘I don't choose to go there.'"You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
"Out there things can happen
And frequently do
To people as brainy
And footsy as you."And when things start to happen,
Don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along
You'll start happening too.OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights."You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest."Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't."I'm sorry to say so
But, sadly, it's true
That Bang-ups
And Hang-ups
Can happen to you."And the chances are, then
That you'll be in a Slump."You're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
Is not easily done."You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?"And IF you go in, should you turn left or right. . .
Or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
For a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind."You can get so confused
That you'll start in to race.
Down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace,
And grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
Headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place. . .". . .for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
Or a bus to come, or a plane to go
Or the mail to come, or the rain to go
Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
Or waiting around for a Yes or a No
Everyone is just waiting."NO! That's not for you!
"Somehow you'll escape.
You'll find the bright places."OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
"There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games
to be won."I'm afraid that some times
You'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
‘cause you'll play against you."All Alone!
"Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
You'll be quite a lot."But on you will go
Though the weather be foul.
On you will go
Though your enemies prowl.
On you will go."Onward up many
A frightening creek,"On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
And face up to your problems
Whatever they are."You'll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
With many strange birds as you go."So be sure when you step,
Step with care and great tact.
And remember that Life's
A Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft."And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)"KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
"So. . .
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So. . .get on your way!"
(Geisel, Theodor Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go, Random House Trade, January 1990)- Filed in:
Recently Added
- Relevance, Connectivity and Productivity: New Strategies for Success in Higher Education 11/08/2009
Remarks Abstract:
"Seismic rumbles of change" are transforming traditional paradigms for research and higher education-to say nothing about the relationships between academia, industry, government and the public. The sources of cataclysmic pressure are many, including competition among universities, shifting demographics and their accompanying shifts in priorities, resource constraints, public/government scrutiny of productivity and accountability in universities, the evolution of a global economy and the innovation ecosystem, and, most recently, the worldwide economic downturn. Like many industries, higher education is on the threshold of major, complex changes that must be directed to optimal outcomes. The University of Akron is innovating through a continuous process that seeks to enhance its relevance, connectivity and productivity.
Relevance: Institutions of higher education generally are place-based, and this means that the competitive and comparative advantages of universities are inextricably linked to the vitality and sustainability of their surrounding communities. Thus, universities must act to optimize their impact upon the regions in which they reside, and would be wise to extend their efforts collaboratively into like regions internationally. The complexities of the 21st Century knowledge and conceptual economy require that every academic discipline be collaboratively engaged with the relevant questions of the day in concert with other disciplines and partners on and off campus. In other words, relevance requires the integrated application of all disciplinary knowledge for the public good.
Connectivity: Connectivity is an extension of relevance and refers to engagement with others by universities in the myriad forms represented by partnerships and collaboration that are not limited by institutional, sector, geographic or disciplinary boundaries. In other words, connectivity means relevant engagement among some combinations of other academic institutions, government, business and industry. This becomes essential as governments become a smaller and smaller financial partner, requiring universities increasingly to generate their own financial revenue opportunities.
Productivity: Finally, higher education must move from measuring "excellence" by exclusion and expense to a set of productivity-based metrics that reflect outcomes and achievements in solving "real-world" problems and in enabling student success.
Universities now are being called upon to explore opportunities that will create innovative educational processes and campus cultures congruent with new realities. This will require a close and deep collaboration between universities and other public- and private- sector organizations, along with a willingness to experiment with new models and new alliances. As we increasingly work with partners accustomed to aggressive delivery schedules and product mixes that rapidly change according to market demands, the core of academic processes will be challenged, and adaptability must become integrated into institutional culture.
Filed in: Speeches - Revisioning the University 10/28/2009
As part of his 10th State of the University address, University of Akron President Luis M. Proenza promised to send this letter to the university community to ask that faculty, staff and students to "engage in timely and necessary conversations to bring... about (a mission- and vision-based university organizational structure). He said, "I am sure many lively and constructive ideas will be brought forward, but we must approach this with a sense of urgency because, as I have said before, doing business as usual is not an option."
Filed in: Statements to the Community - 2009 State of the University Address 10/27/2009
University of Akron President Luis M. Proenza underscored the successes of the past year and set in motion the process of steering the university toward the future during his 10th State of the University Address. As promised during his 2008 address, Proenza provided a progress report on the formal 10-year strategic plan, which he said "will chart the course to our new destination." As he outlined these plans, Proenza encouraged the audience to think about the origin of the name "Akron," derived from the Greek "akros," meaning "high place," in setting and achieving those goals.
Proenza outlined five strategic goals that will guide the university through the next 10 years and beyond:
- Strengthen Akron's historical commitment to inclusive excellence to enhance student access, transformation and success.
- Create vibrant, healthy, and diverse campuses that are deeply engaged with their surrounding communities.
- Establish selected cross-disciplinary clusters of academic distinction that are recognized nationally and internationally.
- Achieve national recognition for a curriculum in which entrepreneurship and 21st century global competitiveness skills are comprehensively embedded.
- Be a primary driver of economic competitiveness in northern Ohio and a leading contributor in the state.
Proenza also said that, in addition to budget challenges, an increasingly competitive environment for higher education and universities can't continue to operate with an educational model that is more than 200-years-old. He said he believes that the university must try even harder to be to bring down academic silo walls and build connections--emphasizing UA's relevance, connectivity and productivity.
Filed in: Speeches Statements to the Community - Five Myths of Entrepreneurship (morning commencement address) 08/15/2009
Filed in: Commencement Addresses - Challenging Fear (afternoon commencement address) 08/15/2009
Filed in: Commencement Addresses - Universities and Their Regions: The Akron Model 06/03/2009
Filed in: Speeches - Quarterly Letter to the Community 05/19/2009
Filed in: Statements to the Community - Connecting the Dots (May 2009 Commencement Address #4, Sunday) 05/10/2009
Filed in: Commencement Addresses - Graduation Advice (May 2009 Commencement Address #2, Saturday Morning) 05/09/2009
Filed in: Commencement Addresses - The Six-word Story (May 2009 Commencement Address #3, Saturday Afternoon) 05/09/2009
Filed in: Commencement Addresses
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