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The Daily OrangeBiden calls for optimism, change in address to alma mater
By Bethany Bump and Shayna Meliker
Posted: 5/10/09, 3:35 PM EST Section: News
"That was the history, that up to that point had been written for us, not by us," Biden said. "But in spite of it all, as I walked across this stage like you, I never doubted for one instance that we can change that history, that we can rewrite the outcome that we were careening toward, and we did."
Back in that time, Syracuse University saw protests of its own. In 1970, a group of students entered then-Chancellor John Corbally's office and chained the door shut, demanding the university remove its ROTC program.
"Throughout the span of history, only a handful of us have belonged in a time when we can actually shape the course of history," Biden said. "Few people, few generations, get to put their hands on the steering wheel at that moment."
Though Biden got political at times mentioning the downturn of the country in the last 10 to 15 years, he focused more on what graduates could do and imagine, than actions taken in the past. He said his optimism, and the graduates' chance to make more than "incremental change" was a reason why he and Barack Obama ran for office.
In John Lennon fashion, Biden asked students to imagine what they could do. To imagine a country with renewable energy, with affordable college and healthcare, a diminished carbon footprint, and a country "not torn apart by petty ideologies" where every American has "a fighting chance."
"That's what you demanded of us in this last election. That's what the president and I are seeking to accomplish," Biden said. "They tell us we're dreamers, they tell us we're doing too much, they tell us that this is beyond our scope.
For Patrick Kimani, who received his doctorate in math education, Sunday had a global and generational significance. He traveled from California to study at SU, and his mother made the 17-hour trip from Kenya, so she could be here to see him graduate.
He said he sees the current challenges and problems, but said he hopes this generation can improve the world for the future, especially that of his daughter, 19-month-old Mwende.
Back in that time, Syracuse University saw protests of its own. In 1970, a group of students entered then-Chancellor John Corbally's office and chained the door shut, demanding the university remove its ROTC program.
"Throughout the span of history, only a handful of us have belonged in a time when we can actually shape the course of history," Biden said. "Few people, few generations, get to put their hands on the steering wheel at that moment."
Though Biden got political at times mentioning the downturn of the country in the last 10 to 15 years, he focused more on what graduates could do and imagine, than actions taken in the past. He said his optimism, and the graduates' chance to make more than "incremental change" was a reason why he and Barack Obama ran for office.
In John Lennon fashion, Biden asked students to imagine what they could do. To imagine a country with renewable energy, with affordable college and healthcare, a diminished carbon footprint, and a country "not torn apart by petty ideologies" where every American has "a fighting chance."
"That's what you demanded of us in this last election. That's what the president and I are seeking to accomplish," Biden said. "They tell us we're dreamers, they tell us we're doing too much, they tell us that this is beyond our scope.
For Patrick Kimani, who received his doctorate in math education, Sunday had a global and generational significance. He traveled from California to study at SU, and his mother made the 17-hour trip from Kenya, so she could be here to see him graduate.
He said he sees the current challenges and problems, but said he hopes this generation can improve the world for the future, especially that of his daughter, 19-month-old Mwende.
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