Deborah Bial
MS. BIAL: Thank you so much President Crutcher, the Trustees, many of whom I know well, and all of you for letting me share this wonderful day.
I am all nervous right now. Can you tell?
I get to say one short thing. I think what I want to address is the great need we have for leaders in this country. When you look at your neighbor and you look at the people sitting in front of you or behind you, you are those leaders. And I'm not saying it lightly. I am not saying it lightly. And Posse is about leadership.
At this moment, which you should enjoy with all your hearts -- celebrate it, pay attention to it, don't get distracted by the photographer over there or thinking about which party you are going to go to later -- enjoy this moment right now because it's the only time you are ever going to graduate from Wheaton College as a senior, and it's so special.
We need you in every arena you could possibly think of. As lawyers and doctors and teachers and politicians, we need you. And we need you in a world that is changing radically.
The demography of the United States is already very, very different than it was 20 years ago. And I want President Crutcher and this Board to be very proud that Wheaton College is better reflecting the true demographics of the United States than many other institutions. And I hope Posse played a small part in that.
I would also like to congratulate just one special person on this stage with me. It's not very often that I would get an honorary doctorate, much less get one at the same time that my husband is getting one. So, Bob [Bob Herbert], congratulations.
Congratulations to every one of you, every one of you graduating today, it is wonderful. I congratulate you. And a special congratulations to the Posse scholars. I love you and I am proud of you. And thank you.