2012 Commencement Address
_by Joel M. Caplan, on behalf of the faculty at Rutgers University, School of Criminal Justice
Congratulations graduates!
And, hello to all the families, friends, teachers, mentors, and other distinguished guests. This is an exciting day…for all of us! And, I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak to you, and to add slightly more delay to what you really want--getting your diplomas and celebrating.
A French Philosopher and Nobel Prize Laureate named Henri Bergson was quoted as saying “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” If that’s true (and some contemporary neuroscience research actually suggests that it is), then your Rutgers education has produced a whole new world for each of you. For some, your time at Rutgers was like what I intend this speech to be: short and sweet. For others, it was, perhaps, more like my class lectures: long and, well, let’s say eventful. But, everything you learned and experienced along the way has created a new capacity to see your surroundings, and to appreciate diverse audiences and individuals with whom you must interact in everyday life. Your friends, family, professors, and mentors at the School of Criminal Justice helped you build this new foundation upon which to experience the world. But, you did the heavy lifting. The diploma that you’re about to receive confirms that you had the curiosity (and courage) to ask difficult questions and challenge yourself to think just beyond your normal comfort zone to find the answers.
But, your job has only begun. There are many examples of successful policies and programs in the criminal justice system. There are also many chronic problems that affect a broad array of people and institutions. Police, courts, corrections, and other agencies do not exist in isolation. They affect, and are affected by, many other domains—including the economy and politics, and they are interconnected with the public and private sectors. Your education and ability to think critically gives you the potential to be expert problem solvers, civic leaders, and innovators of the policies and practices of criminal justice.
Don’t just list your degree on a résumé. Take advantage of your potential that the degree signifies. Apply your unique strengths and insights to make meaningful contributions to the criminal justice system. Don’t simply hang your degree on a wall; Demonstrate why it made you an even greater asset to your local community and civil society. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” You are the next level of thinkers that the criminal justice system needs.
Every job throughout the justice process has value, and requires thoughtful actors. Although each of you will assume different professional roles after graduation, you all share the responsibility of achieving your fullest potential as a Rutgers graduate. That is, turn your new knowledge into kinetic ideas and actions that make the criminal justice system better than it was when you entered as freshmen.
Your diploma is a credential that, according to the US Census Bureau, less than a-third of the population has. It symbolizes the confidence that you should have in your own ability to apply new knowledge and skills to the development of effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary social problems. Faculty at the School of Criminal Justice are very proud of you; And we have high expectations for your continued success. Be confident in your abilities. Be happy. And be proud to be a Rutgers Grad!
Congratulations, again!
And, hello to all the families, friends, teachers, mentors, and other distinguished guests. This is an exciting day…for all of us! And, I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak to you, and to add slightly more delay to what you really want--getting your diplomas and celebrating.
A French Philosopher and Nobel Prize Laureate named Henri Bergson was quoted as saying “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” If that’s true (and some contemporary neuroscience research actually suggests that it is), then your Rutgers education has produced a whole new world for each of you. For some, your time at Rutgers was like what I intend this speech to be: short and sweet. For others, it was, perhaps, more like my class lectures: long and, well, let’s say eventful. But, everything you learned and experienced along the way has created a new capacity to see your surroundings, and to appreciate diverse audiences and individuals with whom you must interact in everyday life. Your friends, family, professors, and mentors at the School of Criminal Justice helped you build this new foundation upon which to experience the world. But, you did the heavy lifting. The diploma that you’re about to receive confirms that you had the curiosity (and courage) to ask difficult questions and challenge yourself to think just beyond your normal comfort zone to find the answers.
But, your job has only begun. There are many examples of successful policies and programs in the criminal justice system. There are also many chronic problems that affect a broad array of people and institutions. Police, courts, corrections, and other agencies do not exist in isolation. They affect, and are affected by, many other domains—including the economy and politics, and they are interconnected with the public and private sectors. Your education and ability to think critically gives you the potential to be expert problem solvers, civic leaders, and innovators of the policies and practices of criminal justice.
Don’t just list your degree on a résumé. Take advantage of your potential that the degree signifies. Apply your unique strengths and insights to make meaningful contributions to the criminal justice system. Don’t simply hang your degree on a wall; Demonstrate why it made you an even greater asset to your local community and civil society. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” You are the next level of thinkers that the criminal justice system needs.
Every job throughout the justice process has value, and requires thoughtful actors. Although each of you will assume different professional roles after graduation, you all share the responsibility of achieving your fullest potential as a Rutgers graduate. That is, turn your new knowledge into kinetic ideas and actions that make the criminal justice system better than it was when you entered as freshmen.
Your diploma is a credential that, according to the US Census Bureau, less than a-third of the population has. It symbolizes the confidence that you should have in your own ability to apply new knowledge and skills to the development of effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary social problems. Faculty at the School of Criminal Justice are very proud of you; And we have high expectations for your continued success. Be confident in your abilities. Be happy. And be proud to be a Rutgers Grad!
Congratulations, again!