Chancellor Robert Khayat, distinguished platform guests, faculty, students and friends, Thank you for the special honor of addressing this historically significant Commencement exercise.

Almost one hundred fifty years ago, in July, 1849, this University had a four day long celebration of banquets and speeches at the conclusion of its first academic year, even though there were no graduates.

Here is the way David Sansing described it in his sesquicentennial history of the University of Mississippi: "Every public room in Oxford was filled, nearly every family had guests, and throngs of people swelled the little village, which was one mile distant from the state university."

Dr. Sansing quoted one speaker as saying: "The great gala day in country, village, and town -- the day when all business is suspended, and the whole people turn out to catch and enjoy the prevailing spirit of the occasion -- is the day of . . . the college commencement."

Eight students were selected to speak, along with United States Senator, Henry S. Foote. The acting president of the University chose to speak on the topic, "If Human Nature Be Really Fallen." In his speech he criticized students who had shown "genius in freaks of mischief and scenes of dissipation." Aren't we glad things like that don't happen here now.

This day is historically significant as well because at this 150th commencement of the University we are celebrating the successful beginning on this campus of a new era of excellence in education, research and service to the State of Mississippi and our nation under the superb leadership of Chancellor Robert Khayat.

I congratulate the Chancellor for looking back into the history of Ole Miss for the inspiration and example of Chancellor Frederick Barnard who, more than a hundred years ago, said to the trustees that his goal was to place the University of Mississippi in "the front ranks of American collegiate institutions." The Civil War interrupted and, in effect, ended the ambitions of the University faculty and administration of that generation to achieve the level of greatness that had seemed to be within reach. Here we are again at a moment in history when being among the best seems not only possible but likely because of the talent, vision and commitment of our Chancellor, his faculty and staff, an outstanding student body and generous alumni.

Ole Miss is becoming a truly outstanding place to learn and to teach, and through research to discover things previously unknown that will make our lives healthier, safer and richer than ever before imagined. From international studies to leadership training, and from acoustics and natural products research to biological field studies, new dimensions in higher education are being explored here. From strict adherence to tradition and the mores of the last century to an appreciation of the benefits of diversity, and from satisfaction with the way things were to a realization of the way things ought to be, new dimensions in social and political awareness are being observed here.

From a home for Mississippi writers, to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, a blues archive and a launching pad for chairmanship of the National Endowment for the Humanities, new dimensions of national leadership are being attained here.

The conspicuous achievements of Ole Miss graduates and faculty in law and government, business, the arts and literature, the sciences and athletics have to inspire the members of this graduating class to have confidence in the possibilities for their future.

I remember when my parents were about to drive away after dropping me off at Lester dormitory to begin my freshman year, my mother said: "Now remember, Thad, you can be anything you want to be."

Well, I had begun to have my doubts when my aptitude tests showed I did much better in English and vocabulary and things like that than I did in math and science. I thought I wanted to be a chemical engineer and when that first semester I made an A in English and a D in chemistry, I knew my plans had to change.

There is some advice in this story. Don't be afraid to change your mind about what you want to do. There is so much opportunity in our society and within the University curriculum, you can find a pathway to fulfillment. Just don't give up. That was Winston Churchill's admonition. Remember? He said "never, never, never, give up."

While a degree from Ole Miss doesn't guarantee that you will be a great success, the quality of your educational experiences here and the reputation earned by thousands of previous graduates guarantee that you will be given a chance to achieve the goals you set for yourself, to satisfy your own ambitions, to be what you decide you realistically want to be.

In preparing for this address, I looked at some speeches others had given, and I saw where a few years ago Bob Hope had told a graduating class in California, "I have only two words of advice for you," he said, "‘Don't go'." Well, your parents and family are going to insist that you go do something else, for a while at least. But, don't forget to write, or call, or send an e-mail to thank whoever helped you get to this point in your very promising life.

Good luck! Hotty Toddy!!