Commencement speaker emulates GCC values
By Eli Wick · Contributing Writer
When we analyze the ethos of a commencement speaker, especially one in a position to impact a large number of graduates, there are three facets to consider. First among them is whether the speaker aligns with Grove City College’s values and virtues.
If you know me, you likely know how much I love the political world and the amazing things people have done to change this country and the world. Upon hearing of this year’s commencement speaker, I was enlightened to how little I truly know about politics.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul came from a relatively political family, regarding his father, former congressman Ron Paul. But he didn’t initially follow in his father’s footsteps.
“Before entering public office, Paul practiced medicine as an ophthalmologist after earning his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. He founded the Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic to provide eye care to underserved patients and has performed numerous pro bono surgeries in Kentucky and abroad. A devout Christian, Paul remains active in his local church,” the Grove City College press release announcing Paul’s selection noted.
This particular passage directly emulates at least three of the college’s five core virtues: community, independence and stewardship.
Paul’s accomplishments in lowering wasteful spending and consolidating Kentucky’s tourism industry directly reflect Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Paul’s consistent commitment to his constituents leads to a pattern of stewardship of God’s creation, specifically in loving his neighbors and pursuing independent thought before approaching a public position.
The second facet when considering a speaker’s ethos is whether he will have a significant impact on the student body as a whole.
Grove City College students tend to have a large pull either towards or away from politics, and Paul appears to have potential to be either polarizing or uniting for the student body. His consistent conservative approach, though aligning with the core doctrine of the college, may alienate some students.
However, should he bend his speech away from his traditional political rhetoric and instead use his experience in public life to give backbone to his speech, I have no doubt that student body unification remains possible despite his current occupation.
The final facet of a speaker’s ethos is whether he will have a significant impact on the specific class graduating from Grove City.
This past senior class has been defined by a series of major events, displaying athletic prowess and academic enrichment in a journey that will conclude with their graduation.
Is it possible to summarize four years in forty minutes? Paul has the opportunity, and, I think, the ability, to do so.
Paul’s broad background lends itself to expertise not in law, medicine or politics (though I mean not to devalue his success in those fields), but rather in people. His vision of people as a lawmaker from a 40,000 foot view coupled with his face to face interaction with patients gives Paul a vision that might easily lead to one of the most memorable commencement speeches in the 21st century.
