May 17, 2026: Commencement 2026, Remarks by Ken Freeman '72

Good morning! 

Members of the Class of 2026, President Bravman, distinguished faculty and staff, families and friends … congratulations on this festive occasion. 

Graduates, many of you are wondering how you’ll make choices in front of you … Or you may just be wondering how long I will speak. Briefly, be assured. Or maybe, maybe, you’re asking something entirely different — like did I remember to delete those TikTok videos from last night? 

While preparing for today, I reached out for advice from a friend who has delivered several commencement addresses. She said “They won’t remember that you gave the commencement address, let alone highlights of your message. So, keep it light, keep it short, try to make it fun — and remember … all they want are their diplomas!” 

I can relate, having graduated from Bucknell 54 years ago. Preparing for today, I could not recall who our commencement speaker was, let alone the message. 

What I do remember, very clearly, is that I sat in the seat that you’re sitting in (in the vicinity of right there!) at my Class of 1972 Commencement ceremony, one of 566 graduates. 

Basking in the sun, I was thinking about my four years at Bucknell and wondering, wondering what the future might be like for me. 

I was about to get married to my high school sweetheart, who is still my sweetheart, was about to go to work at Corning Glass in upstate New York, and since it was the Vietnam War era, I was drafted and had a military obligation. 

Sitting where you are, I thought back to my freshman dorm … Trax Hall  — a double on the 4th floor with a beautiful view of the infirmary and power plant. We did have electricity and heat, but air conditioning was called “open the window.” 

What about communicating with the outside world? It was accomplished using a pay phone in Roberts Hall or sending letters via the U.S. Postal Service. There was one television set in the lounge of each dormitory, with five or six channels to choose from, newspapers and periodicals in the library, the weekly Bucknellian newspaper, and messages about campus events were posted on bulletin boards all across campus. That was it! 

And computing? We had access to one computer on campus  — a Xerox Sigma 7 mainframe in Dana Engineering for computer programming courses and faculty research, and we used punch cards for programming. Sounds like the Stone Age now, doesn’t it? 

Living conditions improved after my freshman year. Sophomore year took me to Schwartz Hall, and junior and senior years to New Dorm, the preferred residence hall on campus. You know it as Vedder Hall, recently renovated, 60 years after it was built. Men lived on the left side; women lived on the right side, and the women had nightly curfews and check-ins.  

During my senior year, a new building opened on campus — the University Center — now known as the Elaine Langone Center. Dining choices were very limited. One of our most memorable was what seemed like a weekly veal cutlet, which closely resembled a hockey puck in texture and appearance. 

Residences called the “Mods” were being completed across Route 15 near the Art Barn and animal research facility. The Mods were to be temporary, only for a few years — Ha! As you know, they finally disappeared and have been replaced by beautiful permanent student residences during your time here — more than 50 years later! 

Oh yes, and for those paying the bills? Annual tuition, room and board was $6,700. That’s the equivalent of $52,000 in today’s world. 

Sitting in your seat 54 years ago, I certainly loved and appreciated the people who cared for me — my parents — but I did not realize or appreciate how much I owed them.

My dad was a people person who came to America from Nova Scotia, Canada, as a teenager. He lived to the ripe old age of 101 and taught me the importance of honesty and integrity, and of treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. Engaging comfortably and respectfully with others, from all walks of life, became ingrained as part of my very being.

My mom? She was dedicated to my brother and me. She was my personal driver when pursuing musical interests from a very early age. She taught me the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. I benefited from her selflessness, and making a difference for others became my purpose. 

Like some of you, I’m a first-generation college graduate. Let’s hear it for the first-generation of graduates! I am most grateful that my parents instilled a passion for learning in me, which led me to Bucknell. That passion for learning, and for Bucknell, continues to this very day. 

Take a moment to think about the gifts you have received from your loved ones. You have your own unique stories to tell about how your families and friends have impacted your lives. They raised you, they’ve supported you. The person you have become and the talents you will share with the world are gifts you received, at least in part, from them, and built upon at Bucknell. 

When I sat in your seat, I did not appreciate the impact Bucknell would have on my life. I knew I’d received a tremendous education from outstanding faculty, had a great student experience with wonderful support from the staff, and established lifelong friendships with fellow students. That said, I sat where you are saying to myself, “Got my degree, it’s time to move on.” 

As the years went by, Bucknell’s impact on me became clear. Simply said, Bucknell changed my life for the better. 

How so, you might ask?

It was because of the people of Bucknell. Here are just two examples: 

I landed a job at the very last minute thanks to the generosity of a Bucknellian and trustee at the time, Campbell Rutledge, Class of 1934, a senior executive at Corning Glass. 

And Professor Sidney L. Miller, a demanding business strategy expert, urged me to have confidence in myself, to take the risk and aim high as I explored furthering my education in graduate school and pursuing different career paths. 

These two Bucknellians — one a graduate and the other a professor — changed my outlook, my prospects and my future, and represent the best of Bucknell. 

Only with the passage of time did I fully realize and appreciate Bucknell’s impact on me. 

Now let’s turn to each of you, members of the Class of 2026. 

Bucknell has changed your lives too … and sitting in the bright sunshine today, you may not realize it yet. 

What will be your Bucknell story? 

Like the Class of ’72, you received a great education from amazing faculty dedicated to your learning, and amazing staff dedicated to supporting your experience here. 

Like the Class of ’72, you established lifelong friendships and some of you have even found your lifelong partner here.

Like the Class of ’72, you endured the gray and cold and sometimes snowy days of winter, and relished the beauty of fall and spring. 

And like the Class of ’72, on this day, graduation day, you do not know what is next. 

Graduates, be assured. Bucknell prepared you to bring your intelligence, your energy and your hope to a world facing many challenges. Be proud of what you’ve done here. Use what you’ve learned here to meet challenges that you encounter and take advantage of opportunities that come your way, be curious, and always keep learning. 

Keep the faith … the Class of ’72 has persevered and made it in a complex world, and so will you. 

What’s the bottom line? Your Bucknell experience set the stage by creating a solid foundation for what is to come for each of you. 

The most anyone can remember from a talk is three things … and memory is fleeting. 

So, here are three ideas, or suggestions, based on personal experience… If you embrace them as part of your own tool kit, you’ll make a difference in the world, you’ll enjoy your life personally and professionally, and you’ll do so with a smile.

First, decide the type of human being you want to be. 

You are in charge of your own life. Take the time to define your purpose and your personal values — who you are and what you stand for.

Life’s a series of choices. By living your values and pursuing your purpose in all that you do, you’ll have the courage to take risks, to endure potential false starts, stumbles and disappointments, and to celebrate all that is good in life. 

Unlike artificial intelligence, you have a heart and soul. Be a bridge builder. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Find ways to engage and build relationships beyond narrow social groups and work. And, please, get off your phones — establish genuine and lasting human relationships. Perhaps I should say that again. And, please, get off your phones — establish genuine and lasting human relationships — person to person, face to face. There’s much more to life than just making connections on your screens. You have a lot to give, human to human — be part of something bigger than you alone. 

Second, believe in yourself. Each of you have earned the right to be self-confident … you have a lot going for you as you enter the world. Have confidence, have courage and aim high, grounded in your purpose and values.

However, for those of you with a high degree of self-confidence, beware of taking your well-earned self-confidence to the next level and appearing to be arrogant in the eyes of others. Arrogance is a silent destroyer — it destroys relationships, it destroys businesses and communities — and it will negatively impact your reputation. No one likes a self-important “know-it-all,” absolutely no one. 

There’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Arrogance is about being full of yourself, whereas confidence is about being full of information and knowledge, and being open to new ideas. 

Make certain you’re believable and genuine, compassionate and caring — earn the right to be trusted — remember, arrogance kills. 

If, on the other hand, self-confidence is elusive for you, and you have a healthy dose of self-doubt and fear of failure, please don’t give up. Believe in yourself. Persevere, have courage and maintain a positive attitude. Perfection should not be your objective.

We are all tested in life. That’s how we grow. By deciding what we stand for and where we want to go in life, and having confidence in yourself, but not too much and not too little, you will be able to make a difference in the world. 

Third, my final message is to keep the two most important words in the forefront today and every day. What are those two words? Those two words are… ’ray Bucknell! … I got carried away for a moment. Those two words are “thank you.”

When someone says “thank you” to you, do you appreciate it? Of course you do! Do you know anyone that doesn’t appreciate receiving a heartfelt “thank you” for their efforts? The recipient will be gratified, and so will you.

As you celebrate this tremendous milestone, take the time to say “thank you” to the people that have made and are making a difference in your life … professors, staff members, family and friends. You will be glad you did, and so will they.

There you have it — three ideas: decide the type of person you want to be through values and purpose; be confident, not arrogant or reluctant, as you pursue your life journey; and remember the power of “thank you.”

This brings me to the end of our conversation … and the opportunity to offer three heartfelt thank-yous: 

First, thank you to Bucknell’s faculty and staff for continuing to build on a remarkable 176-year tradition of celebrating excellence in higher education. 

Second, thank you to the loved ones, families and friends in attendance for your support of today’s graduates. 

And finally, Class of 2026, this is your day, the conclusion of your time on campus as students, and the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Bucknell University as alumni. 

Congratulations and thank you to the remarkable Class of 2026!