an honor.

I can’t remember being so honored by an invitation as this one: to give the commencement address to the graduating class at my undergraduate Alma mater, Guilford College, on the 30th anniversary of my having graduated from there.

What a glorious opportunity to say things the students will likely not hear nor remember, but I will. And maybe their parents will. I’ve decided to wear the t-shirt from our 1982 Serendipity Weekend at Guilford (a nonstop weekend of partying that has since been tamed a tad?) under my clothing or robe or whatever one wears to graduations. I just found it in the attic.

Of course to wear it, I will have to lose approximately half my body weight. But given that I’ll run (by “run,” I mean “walk”) a half-marathon the day after this graduation ceremony, I should be able to lose at least some portion of that in training between now and then.

That’s all deflection from the real message: I’m honored beyond words. Guilford College was an extraordinary gift in my life and now–30 years later–I can see the depth and breadth of that gift so clearly.