New IW grads encouraged to ‘commence without completely commencing’

MT. PLEASANT — Dec. 8, Iowa Wesleyan University honored graduates as they charged them with lessons, challenges, and advice to carry on in their next adventures as IW alum.

Family, friends, and faculty joyfully gathered in University Chapel to celebrate the graduation of 31 undergraduate and nine graduate students on the dreary Thursday afternoon.

The Chadwick Teach of the Year, Jeff Martinek charged the graduating class with an entertaining address to, “commence without commencing.”

He spoke of his own commencement and elicited giggles from the audience.

“It was over 100 degrees that day with the blazing sun frying us like bacon on an AstroTurf skillet,” he described. ”I had nothing on beneath my robe that day, but my Chuck Taylor high-tops, Van Halen t-shirt, and a pair of daisy dukes.”

. He acknowledged the graduates anticipation of finally crossing the stage to receive their diplomas. He told of how he felt the same way when he sat in the same position.

“The truth is, someone I never heard of and couldn’t see talked for approximately six and a half hours about something I didn’t listen to and certainly don’t remember,” he said, “and now it’s your turn, and mine.”

“Why am I still here?” he presented the question to the graduates. “Why did I not do as I was most definitely instructed to do on my own commencement day? That is, to commence in a real life, with a real life, like a normal adult.”

“Why have I remained … on college campuses, in college classrooms, and among college students for the past 35 years and counting?” Martinek asked. “What do these questions have to do with you who are about to commence commencing out of here?”

“Why don’t I play with kids my own age?” he continued. “After all, the life of a college professor is dominated by interactions with people who keep on getting further and further away in age, attitude, and most importantly pop culture references.”

As he attributed thanks to Urbandictionary.com for helping him decode “such terms as ‘bussin,’ ‘drip,’ and ‘straight fire,’” unencumbered laughs erupted.

While remaining entertaining throughout, Martinek laid a charge before the graduating class.

“Do not commence, at least not fully,” he said. “That is, if commencing means closing your lips and closing your mind … knee-jerk resentment of the new and emergent and fear of the future as a dystopian nightmare where people like you will be replaced by strangers who will undo everything you once held sacred.”

“If all that is what commencement means, then I implore you, don’t do it,” Martinek said.

“ … helping you create your futures kept the young part of us alive with the hopes, questions, and dreams that not fully-formed selves present to their elders and mentors,” he continued. “For all of us, I want to thank you guys.”

“I also want to challenge you to find your own way of keeping that part of yourself alive,” Martinek said to the graduates. “To remain young not by clinging to your own youth but by appreciating and helping to cultivate the next generation. They need you, and alas, you will discover you will need them, too.”

“In short, I implore you to leave here today without really leaving, to commence without completely commencing,” he said.

The celebration was marked with “A Child is Born,” performed by IW Jazz Ensemble lead by Associate Professor of Music Michael Knight and “And so it Goes,” performed by IW’s Primae Voces directed by Director of Choral Activities Blair Buffington.

Following Provost Frazier’s presentation of the class and President Plunkett’s conferring of degrees, the graduating class crossed the stage one by one, as the enthusiastic crowd clapped, yelled, and held signs to express their wholehearted pride.

International students proudly wore the colors of their home countries around their necks as they accepted their diplomas.

Director for Alumni Engagement Diane Davis welcomed the freshly graduated class to the ranks of fellow IW Alumni.

“I am honored to be among the first to congratulate you on your achievements,” she said. “As an Iowa Wesleyan Graduate, remember the core values of learning and community, faith and service, discovery and action, courage and passion.”

“As you leave today, remember these lessons from the Bible,” Davis encouraged and quoted the following Bible verses:

“Work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord,” Ephesians 6:7.

“This is my command be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6 she quoted as her favorite.

With that, Davis invited the graduates to move their tassels from right to left to signify the completion of their journeys from students to alum of Iowa Wesleyan University.

The audience stood beaming with pride as the new alum exited the chapel to celebrate with their loved ones.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com