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- Doug Dangler, Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing
Doug Dangler, associate director of the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing - Julia Watson, professor of comparative studies
Julia Watson is associate dean for admissions and undergraduate affairs in arts and humanities and professor of comparative studies
- Doug Dangler, Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing
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John Glenn asks graduates to ask questions
Posted on | June 18, 2009 | 1,086 views |
John Glenn addresses the 8,000+ graduates during Ohio State’s spring commencement, held June 14 at the ‘Shoe. Photo by Kevin Fitzsimons.
By Adam King
Astronaut and former Sen. John Glenn, who delivered the Spring Commencement speech to a record 8,162 Ohio State graduates June 14 at Ohio Stadium, said he hopes the class of 2009 becomes the greatest “Why Not?” class of all time.
“What do I mean by ‘Why Not?’” Glenn asked. “It was expressed well by Nobel Laureate George Bernard Shaw. He wrote: ‘Some men see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and ask, ‘Why Not?’
“To me, ‘Why Not?’ describes an attitude of curiosity which inspires you to look into the unknown in whatever field your interest may lie,” Glenn said. “This attitude of curiosity can move you ahead as an individual and all of us ahead as a nation.”
No one knows the power of “Why Not?” more than Glenn himself. More than 70 years ago he was a teen in New Concord cranking a phone to connect to an operator in order to talk to his sweetheart and future wife, Annie, who lived a half-mile away. Fast-forward to just a few months ago, when Glenn’s cell phone rang and former crewmate Scott Parazynski said hello from the Space Shuttle 250 miles above the Earth.
“Think of the thousands, yes millions, of ‘Why Not?’ decisions that came together, bit by bit, to make Scott’s call from space possible,” Glenn said.
As much as curiosity leads to a satisfying life, the other element of that is happiness, Glenn said. And the greatest happiness can be found in being part of a bigger picture.
The “us” perspective is a key element of his Glenn School of Public Affairs, and he said that perspective can take many shapes: From civic to military to public service — or just helping out wherever need can be found.
Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware received the Glenn School’s Excellence in Public Service award this year, and Glenn said a student asked Carper what was the greatest factor in happiness for him.
“He answered the letter with only two words written in the center of the page,” Glenn said. “‘Serve others.’”
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From WOSU Newsroom- OSU Athletics News
July 30th, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Ms/Sir: Have you available either Glenn’s Commencement 2009 remarks in writing or CD, and if so, can the person named above secure a copy? To the e-mail address try 155 White Oak Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15237.My stimulus package is 412/487/3634.Gordon Gee’s exhortation,if available, would also be appreciated. I was in the stadium, with my hearing loss in full swing,enjoted the pomp and ceremony but missed the “gist” of the occasion.
Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
Jim Hosey