Commencement Exercises Attendees Outside of SVU Main Hall. Photo credit: svu.edu
Over 1,800 people attended Southern Virginia University’s commencement exercises on Saturday, many to see the 125 seniors graduate, many for a chance to see the speaker.
Former Governor Mitt Romney choose to give his second public speech since the 2012 presidential elections at the small liberal arts school in Buena Vista, Virginia.
On the lawn of the university’s historic Main Hall, the former presidential candidate incorporated many thoughts and ideas from the faith that he shares with the students into his speech. Southern Virginia University is the only liberal arts college in the United States that requires students to live by the standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Romney drew from a Bible story found Luke for the thesis of his address. In the story, Jesus counsels Peter and the other fishermen to return to their boats after failing to catch any fish, and “launch out into the deep and cast your nets.”
Romney advised the students to go beyond the shallow waters of life. “Everyone one of you here today as a graduate can live an abundant life… you will not all be rich, famous, or powerful. But everyone one of you can live a rich abundant life.” He told them that the secret to abundant living, is to launch out into the deep, and let down your nets. “Grasp every ennobling experience available to you. Embrace every dimension of living that challenges you, educates you, elevates you. Live for purposes greater than yourself. Lose yourself in the service of others. Reach beyond the shallowness of selfishness, of complacency, of mindless conformity, and of indulgence… This is the promise: launch out into the deep, and your nets will be filled.”
Romney encouraged graduates to launch their lives into the deep by marrying, starting families, finding God, pursuing careers and serving others. He called marriage richly rewarding. He quoted scripture, reminding students “to cleave” to spouses. He called the Bible a pearl of wisdom. And said having children is a way of “launching into the deep.”
“An occupation is part of abundant living… The Creator gave us work for our benefit… Your job will expand your skills… Dive into your profession with passion and heart. Go beyond what is expected and required and by doing so you will learn the secret to advancement: doing your job well.” He also added, “I don’t think God cares if you get rich. He doesn’t care if your business makes a large profit.”
“We learn from our successes and our failures.”
“Your worldly success will partly be a function of your choices and capabilities, but will also be subject to the vagaries of life and chance. Fortunately our relationship with God depends on none of that. It is entirely at our control. For He is always at the door and knocks for us. Our worldly success cannot be guaranteed, but our ability to achieve spiritual success is entirely up to us, thanks to the Grace of God.”
“The best advice I know is to give those worldly things your best, but never your all. Reserving the ultimate hope for the only One who can grant it.”
While encouraging students to “launch into the deep” by serving others and volunteering, he said, “Quite literally hundreds from this campus gave up vacation time to help a presidential candidate for which I owe you deeply. Thank you so much.”
“You are about to write new chapters of your life story. Give yourself a lot to write about. You only live one life, don’t spend it in safe, shallow waters. Launch out into the deep. If you meet someone you love, get married, and have a quiver full of kids if you can.”
President Paul Sybrowsky and Provosot Madison Sowell Present Romney with Honorary Doctorate Photo Credit: svu.edu
Prior to his remarks, Southern Virginia University President Paul K. Sybrowsky and Provost Madison U. Sowell presented Romney with an honorary doctorate in humane letters crediting Romney’s family, church, academic, business and public service achievements. The crowd responded with a long standing ovation.
Many state and local government leaders also attended Saturday’s commencement exercises, including Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.
Erin Ann McBride is a single writer in Roanoke, Virginia. She is the author of “You Heard It Here First” (just $1 on Kindle) and the sequel, “This Just In!” She is the associate editor of Meridian Magazine, and regularly blogs about the stock market for The Motley Fool. She enjoys politics, pop culture, all things 80s, and watching canceled science fiction TV series.
McBride recently launched a new website to help self-published and commercially published LDS authors reach their audiences directly. Check out www.mormonbooksandauthors.com to find the latest books from your favorite writers!
Kathleen FulmerMay 1, 2013
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just to hear his voice again with sage counsel, did my heart good. Unfortunately it also reminded me of what we could have had, but he will continue to do good in other ways.
m facerApril 30, 2013
Mitt Romney is a great man. I appreciated his comments and think they are applicable to new graduates, as well as people 30 years out...and more. My day is better because I was able to hear this address. Bravo, indeed.