News · W&M News · 2004 archive · Stackhouse’s commencement speech

Stackhouse challenged seniors to go forth and change the world while always coming home to William and Mary. Photo by Tim Jones.

Enjoy the big things about William and Mary, but never forget the small things, senior Adam Stackhouse told the class of 2004 during his commencement address. Following is a transcript of his speech. —Ed.

Thanks Jon for loosening up the crowd for me.

I’d like to start off with a couple of apologies I figure are in order. One, I’ve been coughing this morning, that’s all on that. Two, I ran off to the bathroom during the awards thinking they were going to go a bit quicker, and I ran into the women’s room, and the young lady that was at the mirror, I apologize for making you jump. And three, I understand that many of my peers have very high comedic expectations for what I am about to say. And to you I also apologize. I am under a contractual agreement not to outshine Mr. Stewart in any aspect of my speech. Sadly the best material I have prepared for you today will remain unsaid.

With that, let’s begin.

 

It is inevitable that on the most beautiful day of any given week in the spring, birds will be singing, the sun will be shining, and I’ll head out across campus, dodging a stray Frisbee, and jumping over that barefoot guy playing guitar, and I’ll end up down at the Crim Dell behind a giant tour group. All of whom are craning their heads to take a look at the Crim Dell, both the bridge and the alleged water beneath it. Provided I am already running late, the tour guide will stop me, ask me to address the crowd and question, “What’s your favorite part of going to William and Mary?”

It is at this moment that this beautiful day becomes perfect. It’s easy. My answer is always the same. I have it pre-packaged and I stand there like this, I look at the tour group, and I say, “It would have to be the college community. It’s small enough you can cross campus and you’re certain to see someone you know, but large enough that you can meet someone new everyday.” This response is usually met with nods, grins, more staring at the Crim Dell. I’ll often pause, forgetting where I was rushing to and stop to stare myself.

The William and Mary community is in spirit a rather large traditional family. Together we laugh, cry, eat, party. This beautiful campus is our house, brick pathways leading from one end to the other. Every day, William and Mary home life will never grow dull. Homecoming serves as our giant family reunion. We’re not quite sure yet how to classify Colonel Ebirt, nor is this the time we need to figure it out. Uncle Morton gets picked on a lot but it doesn’t seem to bother him. We’ve even developed our own currency—a flex point. I did some all night research, as of this morning, the current conversion rate for a single flex point is 0.847 Euro. I think they were invalid as of yesterday so that’s of no use to you.

We’ve also entertained unexpected guests. Aunt Isabel blew into town for a few weeks, leaving behind quite a mess, and provided an unexpected vacation. Wishing her a fond farewell, the William and Mary family pulled together to tidy up after her visit. For Christmas, we got tiny orange bikes. That’s all they are, is orange. And even more space to get lost in Swem Library. I actually heard Margaret Thatcher was planning on being here this morning, but is still lost on the third floor of Swem.

Yes, there’s been some fighting over who’s going to park where, but that’s expected when a thousand people are trying to fit into the driveway. Speaking of which, might I remind those graduating without cars to pick up your souvenir parking tickets when you get your diploma. Parking services didn’t want you to miss out on them.

Of course we have our pets too. Two squirrels for every student. Yep, three if you live on old campus. Our neighbors may herd sheep and wear tricornered hats, but they always have something new—something old—to share.

Large traditional families usually enjoy a passionate sense of unity and history. William and Mary is no different. Tribe Pride and tradition are undeniably accountable for the bonds that hold this family together. And we have no trouble showing them. There are some of us who sing the Alma Mater way too loud. It really shows on the middle verses when other people start humming because they don’t quite know all the words. It also shows because those of us who belt it out are usually very poor singers. The decent singers, you see, are in our a cappella groups, but as you all are aware, William and Mary needs another a cappella group like Williamsburg needs another pancake house.

Alright, I’m getting to the sentimental part, so if everyone could do me a favor and look under their seats, you’ll find a complimentary box of Kleenex, courtesy of the tissue-box corporation…No I got one person. Sorry that was a joke. I was hoping to get like 10 and I got one guy who was like, “Yes! Kleenex.”

The support and love of the Tribe has pushed us through many a day, good and bad. However, even in loss, we rise above, come together, and push on. Tribe Pride is support, it is love, it is mirth, it is community. Today Tribe Pride stays with us as we say good bye. During our time here we have been prepared for the adventures to come by our teachers, our friends, the entire community. We must take what we have learned, pack our bags and leave home. Before you leave, take a moment to stop anywhere on campus. Take that moment to pause, look and smile. The big things are easy to remember. Hurricane Isabel. Blowouts. Jon Stewarts. Hold for screams and applause. That wasn’t a prompt.

But it’s the small things we should wish never to forget. Tribe Pride thrives on the rich tradition of the College, but is born in the smallest of moments. As with those who’ve come before us and those yet to come, this campus will remain a home to us all. We will always be a part of the William and Mary family.

To those graduating today, my message is simple. Go forth. Write a book, become a surgeon, teach a child how to read, land on the moon. Let the love of this campus spread worldwide. But take time to remember the brick pathways that will always lead you home.

Thank you.