I am sure most of our graduates have heard of Ball State's Virginia Ball Center for Creative Inquiry. Maybe you participated in a seminar there or know someone who did. Perhaps you have even been to the wonderful old home in which it is housed. The home was built for E. Fay Kitselman. The Kitselmans, like the Ball Brothers, were early Muncie industrialists, making their fortunes through their company, Indiana Steel and Wire.

The reason I mention this is because of a quote I read recently Fay Kitselman's oldest brother, Alva. I think his advice is fitting for this occasion. Alva Kitselman once said, "The words 'I am' are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you."

Those of you receiving degrees today can each rightly claim, "I am a graduate of Ball State University." That is an achievement of which you should be proud. For those of you who will leave here today with your next step in life already secured, you might say, "I am a graduate of Ball State University, and I am an architect," or perhaps you would add the description news reporter, nurse, actor, entrepreneur, teacher, chemist, graduate student or Peace Corps volunteer.

Ball State helps prepare men and women to pursue those professions, educational options, and service opportunities among hundreds of other choices because the possibilities for life truly are limitless, constrained only by your vision of what you are capable of accomplishing and your commitment to expending the time and energy necessary to achieve your goals.

With that in mind, I would encourage you to be open to adding the word "adaptive" to the words "I am." On average, Americans change careers three to five times and jobs seven to ten times during their lifetimes. The fact that we live in a mobile and global society, and one in which new economic realities, technological innovations, scientific advances, and the flow of information occur at breakneck speed necessitates that you adapt quickly to change and strive to remain productive, current, and relevant—whether that relevance is to an employer or to the customers you serve, should you be self-employed.

Outside of your work, consider what you will attach to the words "I am" when it comes to the things that are most important to you. Because humanity has conquered the heights of Everest, the depths of the sea, and the far reaches of space, it might seem that there are few opportunities remaining to become a pioneer, unless you pursue advances in science, technology, or society. But in reality, opportunities for innovation and new ways of thinking abound.

During a ceremony two months ago in Emens Auditorium, I presented President's Medals of Distinction to seven of the original Tuskegee Airmen and the widows of two of their comrades. The Airmen were indeed pioneers of their day—fighting with heroism and distinction in World War II as well as confronting an evil within American society and the military itself— racism—and their successes in battle helped speed the integration of the military. The Civil Rights Movement followed, and while our society became more integrated, even today—decades later—we have much to accomplish in regard to acceptance of people who differ from us.

You may be inclined to attach the word "activist" to "I am" in the name of a particular cause close to your heart, and the levels of your activism or action may vary. Maybe you will walk or run to raise money to fight a deadly disease, volunteer to address a community need or someone less fortunate, or contribute money to support an organization or to help someone attend college. Perhaps like today's recipient of the President's Medals of Distinction, Representative Larry Buell, you will seek political office in an effort to make a difference. Whether you become an activist, volunteer, philanthropist, or public servant, when people look back on your life, they are as likely to remember how you pursued your passions—hobbies, causes, or your family life—as they are the highs and lows of your career.

Finally, a word of caution. Just as A.I Kitselman said to be careful about what you attach to the words "I am," take just as much care when you add the word "not." As our distinguished guest Mr. Broder can no doubt attest, having covered national politics for more than 50 years, people may only have given a skeptical snicker to Bill Clinton's claim that he did not inhale when he smoked marijuana, but the legacy of Richard Nixon is most often characterized by his most famous quote, "I am not a crook."

In dissecting Kitselman's words, it is easy to limit his meaning to what career path you pursue. But I think more can be learned from his words if we relate them to a sense of values. The information you have learned in college may go out of date, but the values you have learned here should endure—respect for diversity, love of learning, appreciation for the arts, and understanding of fact-based inquiry. Incorporating these values into your everyday life will make the future more interesting, the challenges easier to overcome, the wonders of the world more fascinating, and the friendships and loves in your life more meaningful and intimate.

In assessing if you have lived each day to the fullest, attaching "honest" to "I am" provides an excellent moral compass for self evaluation. Being honest means that little can reach back and catch you, and it makes it easier for others to forgive the mistakes and transgressions you inevitably will make.

Consider the philosophy espoused by a character in a tale told by a Hoosier more famous than A.I. Kitselman. In the song "Minutes to Memories," John Mellencamp describes a conversation with an old man during a lengthy car ride. When the old man falls asleep with his head against the window, he says: "An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind."

On behalf of the Ball State University Alumni Association, I welcome each graduate to our alumni ranks. You are now one of more than 140,000 living Ball State alumni. I encourage you to use the alumni association to keep us informed about the changes and achievements in your lives. Over time, we hope life will lead you back to this place, Ball State—for a visit, to serve on a committee, to fulfill an educational need, or perhaps to embark on a new career. After all, in the anticipation of what you might be in life, this is the place where you began to identify the words you most wanted to attach to "I am."

I hope you enjoy the time you will spend today with your friends, fellow graduates, and families. And again, congratulations on reaching this special day in your lives.