The Places You Will Go

• Date: 05/11/2003
• Author: Dr. Luis M. Proenza (President, The University of Akron)
• Location: UA Commencement, E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall

• So, you are now poised to go out there, into the "real world," as they say;
  You are ready to go forth, to "commence".

  Indeed, that is what this ceremony is all about- by marking your passage from here to there.

  And for us here at The University of Akron, today is special in yet another way, because we are marking your commencement, you who make up the class of 2003, and also that of two very special colleagues who are moving on to new challenges.

  Many of you have come to know Dr. Terry Hickey, our Provost, and Dr. Marlesa Roney, our Vice President for Student Affairs.

  Like you who are graduating today, these two colleagues soon will commence new careers, respectively at the University of Central Florida and the University of Kansas.

  Marlesa, Terry, we are grateful for your service, happy for your success, and hopeful of your future.

  So to them and to you, the class of 2003, let me wish you ‘god speed' in the words of Dr. Seuss, specifically in words taken from his little volume titled
  "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

  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 here it goes. I quote:

  "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!"

  (Oh, the Places You'll Go!, by Seuss, Dr. Seuss, Random House Trade, January 1990)

   

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