Remarks to Excellence in Education 2009 Celebration
May 5, 2009
Northern Michigan University

Dr. Leslie E. Wong
President

I want to thank Marquette General Health Systems and the Upper Peninsula Medical Center for their support of “Excellence in Education”. Both have been excellent partners with Northern Michigan University and NMU is very blessed to have such good neighbors.

My congratulations to the students from Marquette Area Public Schools, Father Marquette Schools, Powell Township Schools and the North Start Academy. All of you represent excellence in academic achievement. NMU waits eagerly for you to become a Wildcat. But if you don’t choose NMU, this country will benefit because wherever you go, you will do well and you will contribute to the welfare of the United States.

You are also fortunate to be living in interesting times. There are clear challenges ahead for all of us. But none of them are catastrophic by any means. Imagine living in Indonesia and SE ASIA and having a tsunami wipe out 10% of the population and over 60% of the housing. By comparison, things can be worse. The challenge ahead is one that will depend on your education and in that regard I’d like to offer three thoughts.

First, the solutions to the problems ahead will require brain power. Not brawn, not muscle, not size. And for guys my size, this is a good thing. Universities after all, are talent shops. We want good people, willing to learn, willing to engage dangerous and provocative thoughts. More importantly, we need students and future citizens who are willing to think first and then act. Either one alone does us no good. So if you can’t think critically, analyze data and trends and be open to new, good ideas, there will be little for you to do. The age of finding lifelong, sustainable employment based on physical ability alone is rapidly declining if not soon gone. So going to school, hopefully at NMU, is your insurance for tomorrow. Remember, brain power, is the engine of tomorrow’s culture.

Second, brainpower must be complemented by a commitment to the communities in which you live. If you are not contributing to your community through activities like volunteer service, being a part of community service project or civic duty like city or county government, then your brainpower is neutralized. Technology has made the world smaller and if you can’t get along or choose not to get along with your neighbors in your community, then you will learn that an outcast offers no value. So while you hone your academic schools, get involved in community and school activities outside the classroom. At Northern, we expect that of every student and it’s no surprise that our students are finding jobs and careers in a very tough environment.

Third, and perhaps the hardest idea I could share with you, read, read, read. Your brain must be the best utility infielder you can make it. The era of being a specialist and knowing only one thing real well is also dying quickly. There are doctors who are also computer specialists, car designers who know about green energy technologies, economists who are lawyers and lawyers who are counselors. A good example: I spent a number of years in North Dakota. 75% of the wheat and thus 75% of all pasta and bread products in the U.S. come from North Dakota. My university found out that the single largest users of wireless broadband technology were farmers who were using laptop computers in their combines checking the weather, using the math functions to plot fertilizer applications per acre depending on hourly weather reports. Should I mention monitoring, in real time, weather reports? It was not unusual to see farmers logged on for at least a 1/3 of the time they were working in the fields. Guess what: many of the farmers had no college degree but most of them had taken computer courses during the off season. But if they didn’t read, they couldn’t see how technology would boost harvest and ultimately help them make a living. Another small example, if your specialty is music, it is not uncommon for music programs to require courses in business.

The world has become interdisciplinary. You must be able to read and comprehend many kinds of documents, books and articles across different but related subjects and concepts. And yet, nearly 20% of the U.S. population cannot read nor write in English OR in their native tongue. Yes, being able to read is a key skill. Wanting to read a lot is an advantage. It’s hard to imagine that that many people in the U.S. cannot read the daily newspaper (and this does not include illegal or legal recent immigrants). Read, read, read.

Enough sermonizing. I want you to enjoy the attention you’re receiving today. You’ve earned it through hard work and perseverance. Keep up the terrific work you are doing. And one last favor: thank your parents when you get a chance. You have not done this good work alone. I would have asked you to hug your siblings, but that would be stretching it! Congratulations and continue to feel proud of your academic achievement.

Thank you.

Dr. Les Wong
President
Northern Michigan University