Graduation ‘Happiest day of year at EOU’

DICK MASON/The Observer Members of EOU’s class of 2010 enter Community Stadium Saturday morning at the start of commencement.

The Class of 2010 also learned that a timely haircut never hurts.

All this during a late morning ceremony jump-started by EOU President Bob Davies under picturesque skies.

Davies told the graduates they will forever be an integral part of EOU. He also said they will leave a lasting mark on society.

“I know that each of you will make an impact on the lives of others and I know that it will be positive,’’ the first-year EOU president said.

Paul Kelly, president of the State Board of Higher Education, urged the graduates assembled at Community Stadium to become actively involved in their communities, local governments and to take on leadership roles.

“Our collective future depends on that,’’ said Kelly, who lives in the Portland area.

Kelly next asked for the graduates indulgence and added a sobering note to a day of celebration, recounting the immense problems facing the United States. Issues ranging from the deficit to the poor economy, the growing oil spill off the coast of Louisiana and the wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan. Kelly asked the graduates to reflect on the dark clouds posed by each.

“You can give a shrug of discouragement or resolve to do what you can to change this picture,’’ Kelly said.

EOU President’s Scholar Tanner Denne also spoke Saturday, urging his fellow graduates to disdain materialism and reach out to the world, for they might find happiness in the process. Denne cited a study published in the June 2008 edition of the Journal of Legal Studies to make his point. The journal article refers to statistics revealing a decrease in American happiness since the 1970s.

“What this means to me, is that despite the social permeation of advertisements, and a market based on mass material production and consumption — we have not become happier. This shows us that materialism cannot provide true pleasure and satisfaction,’’ Denne said.

The search for emotional satisfaction and comfort must be taken on another road, the graduating senior said.

“Perhaps it is a road inward, a road that makes us look into the soul and psyche of our self. Perhaps it is in service to others, whether that may be teaching, accounting or protecting our environment. Regardless of your path, we must search and find where true happiness and satisfaction rests within us. Do not rely on material items to provide your sense of fulfillment,’’ Denne said.

The President’s Scholar stressed he was not saying to stop driving your car or not to a buy a new one or to cancel plans to buy a set of golf clubs.

“I am simply challenging and wishing that each of you finds true enjoyment, happiness and peace in whatever you do. Not only will you be benefiting yourself but all those around you.’’

Denne recounted his remarkable range of experiences at EOU, ones he never anticipated when he enrolled as a freshman from Baker City in 2006. They included a tour of China with the EOU Chamber Choir in 2007, conducting the choir at the First Christian Church on Sunday mornings for almost three years, making volunteer teaching trips to Jamaica, singing and dancing like a frog for a local elementary school, performing as a pirate in an EOU musical and more.

Denne, who earned a 3.96 grade point average, had shoulder-length hair during most of his four years at EOU.

“All too often I heard the words, cut, hair and hippie in the same sentence,’’ he said.

Denne was named EOU’s 2010 President’s Scholar not long after he had his hair cut. He does not think this was a coincidence.

“But perhaps the most expected twist of this journey (at EOU) is to find out that if you cut your hair they award you the President’s Scholar,’’ said a smiling Denne, who received degrees in music and anthropology-sociology.

The near straight-A student said his many surprising experiences at Eastern enriched his life immensely.

“So this is my testament to the limitless potential Eastern Oregon University offers. And I am sure that my fellow graduates have similar lists of the ‘unexpected.’”

He said all of Saturday’s graduates owe Eastern much gratitude.

“We are each indebted to this university, for all it has, and will continue to offer.’’

It is a debt he urged his classmates never to forget. Denne then quoted one of Jamaica’s best known singers and songwriters

“So in the words of (the late) Bob Marley I say to you, ‘In this bright future we can’t forget the past.’’’

About 430 EOU graduates received diplomas Saturday. They were among 640 who graduated from Eastern in the 2009-10 academic year.