It Was, You And I Aren't, Great

I am referring, of course, to  America. America was great, by and large, but for what I am no longer sure. Whatever it is now, it isn't what it was and will soon be far less. This loss of "greatness" is due primarily to the fact that too many of us think we are great because the nation was. We think we are somehow responsible for our own heritage, bringing new definition to the term "backwards." The moment we forgot to earn our greatness on a daily basis was the moment ignorance and sloth overcame ingenuity and industry. Few folks work much harder than I, or have served their country much more assiduously (with startling exceptions however). Speaking for them and for myself, I believe most of us would contend that the debt we owe is never paid. The work, the sacrifice, and opportunity costs purchase the trivial things that center so prominently in other's esteem. The minute our displaced identities turn to sports, guns, alcohol, drugs, gossip, pornography, patriotism, and politics for primary sustenance, we chip away at the foundation of our inheritance. When we close our eyes to the collateral damage our obsessions wreak on the rest of the world, we cheapen the very things we praise in our history. We are feeding off of a long dead carcass. You are not great. I am not great. A nation that maintains itself and betters the world around it is. Imagine a country that isn't full of second-hand greatness. Imagine a presidential campaign therein. Imagine a country endeavoring to be great again, but not through the convoluted revisionist notions of selfish people. Instead, though the eyes of a people longing to create a country and a world that is great for all, and something that their children can be proud of. 

GED Graduation - My Favorite Night of the Year

Good Evening

My name is Michael Morsches and I am the Dean of Learning Enrichment and College Readiness. I am just now finishing my first year here, and I am as excited to be here with you tonight as I was last year at my first GED graduation!

I would have to say that tonight is my favorite night of the year – we (students, staff, faculty) plod along all year long doing the day to day work that makes tonight possible. Finally, a night to sit back, smile, relax, and take stock of things.

I find myself grateful for four things tonight, forty years after watching my mother earn her GED – those points of gratitude are our country, this school, the families of our students, and our students themselves. I would like to share a few thoughts about each:

Our Country – I am so grateful that we live in the most forgiving educational system in the world. No matter where and when we stumble, we can always come back to our path. The system here forgives us when we falter and it forgives itself when it fails us. It places no limitations on our dreams, and waits patiently for that time when we can exploit it. I am very proud to be part of this process.

This School – In many places in America, GED programs are housed in HS, community centers, or libraries. MV recognizes its role as a true Community College and has made a substantial commitment to our GED students. The dignitaries on the stage behind me are a strong example of this commitment. There are also literally hundreds of staff and faculty here who make this journey possible for our students. I would ask that the staff and faculty in attendance please rise so that we can show you our appreciation, thank you. Once again, I couldn’t be prouder to be in the company of these wonderful professionals.

The Families – That is you J This day would be woefully incomplete without your presence here. Families too are forgiving, we forgive each other and ourselves and keep fighting to stay together and to support one another. Along with my traditional duties as Dean, I have spent the past year teaching GED math courses and I have come to know many students and their friends and families. Sometimes these networks are complex and even a bit crazy, but the love behind it all amazes me. You should be very proud of what you have made possible here tonight. I am.

Our Students – Finally, the reason we are all here tonight. In this day and age, it is amazing to see sixty adults sitting together that have made such major alterations to their lives. Disrupting our routines, reallocating our time, rearranging our commitments are not things we typically like to do as we get older. Our students on stage have done these things and so much more – they have changed their lives for the positive, and most are only just beginning. Tonight is an important watershed in their lives, but just one of many to come. There are future nurses, business owners, engineers, teachers, and leaders sitting before you tonight, taking one night off to celebrate with you. Tomorrow, they will be back chasing those careers and all of us will continue to be here for them. We are so proud of you ! So for the class of 2013 – I wish you all the best, revel in your accomplishment tonight, and sometime later fall asleep knowing you have faithfully purchased your next set of dreams.

Thank you.