First of all, thanks for coming here to GMC. We're glad you did all of us teachers, staff folks, engineering and the rest. We would not be here if not for you. Really, we exist as we do because of you. Without you we would be selling something, fixing something or waiting on something to happen that would make our lives more complete. Think about it. We are here because of you. So.why are you here? For some of you the answer might be.no where else to go. Unsure of yourself.looking for something.somebody told you to go here or there. Well, the bottom line is.this is your life. This is your one way ticket.the one thing in which you are completely in charge, the boss, the end all, be all do it all, make it or try something else all. The person that you are, that's sitting in that seat as you listen to me right now is all yours.your life. What you make of it or don't make of it is really all up to you.

And remember, you are special, each one of us is.I am also. Oh yes! I'm still special.just older and special but with years gone by that cannot be reclaimed. You are special with years ahead and still to be claimed. by you. You must claim the years given to you in your life as those of us who are older claimed our years. And those years will be for better, for worse or. for what might have been. I suppose one of the biggest mistakes one can make in life is the mistake of believing they cannot become.cannot achieve.cannot make a difference or. that they cannot do whatever they have the desire to do. If you are sitting in a seat in this classroom today, you can make a difference in the lives of your families, friends, people in need, and life in general. Part of the beauty of college.the privilege of college. is being given the time to find a way to make a difference in life for yourself and others. It cannot be just about the money. College cannot be just that. It must mean more to all of us. The teachers, staff folks, engineering and the rest. Look at each of us as people who are giving you a chance to make a difference. And when you think about why you are here, why you came, think that it was a good place to come, to learn, to find someway in which you could make a difference and use the one chance you have to become.something special. After all.this is YOUR life.