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Chairman Dan Cooper Delivers Commencement Address at Clemson University
Chairman Dan Cooper Delivers Commencement Address at Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
May 9, 2008 CHAIRMAN COOPER: Chairman Hendrix and the Board of Trustees, President Barker, faculty and administration, graduates, esteemed guests, and last but certainly not least my family: thank you for everything that you have done to get me to this day. If it wasn't for your guidance, commitment, and love, I would not be the man I am today. I am truly humbled and unbelievably proud today to be here with all of you receiving such a tremendous honor. A moment ago when I mentioned my family, I was not just referring to my wife, children, sister, brothers, in-laws and parents who are here today, but I also mean each and every one of you. Clemson University is not just a place to get an education, but also a place to gain a “family” of other people who will help and support you along the way. There is one thing that we, as members of the Clemson family all do here, and that is bleed orange, and the first thing I must do on this day is congratulate you, the Clemson University graduating class of 2008. For the last few months when I found out I would be getting this doctorial degree, I was trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to say. Do I make this speech funny, serious, stern, or do I just speak from the heart. In the end I knew that speaking straight from the heart is the way I must go today. There is one thing I have always known about Clemson. This place, these hills, and our students, they are the heart of this area and our State. Clemson has a unique spirit, a spirit that is impossible to put into words for an outsider to understand what this place means to each and every one of us. You can point out Tillman Hall and explain to them the history behind it, but that can't express the experience of hearing its bells chime in the early afternoon. You can walk with them under the trees that line the paths behind John C. Calhoun's house, but they'll never know the destinations where each path leads quite like you do. Whether it's reading a book or throwing a Frisbee on Bowman field, gazing at the statues in honor of past graduates scattered throughout campus, or seeing a bunch of guys rubbing a rock and running down a hill, everything takes on a higher meaning to a Clemson student, a Clemson alum, and to every member in the Clemson family. From the moment I took my first step onto campus and before my first class ever convened in the fall of 1980, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. As a native upstate South Carolinian, Clemson University was a familiar site. I didn't start my education here --I began about twenty miles down the road at Anderson College, but my heart has always been here. Thankfully in 1980 the University in its “infinite wisdom” took me in as a transfer student. Those first couple of years I'm sure were much like those you experienced. I would get up as late as I could and rush to class, played a lot of basketball at Fike, and spent way too much time not studying. You could say that I red shirted my freshman year and went to a five year graduation plan. In fact I enjoyed my classes so much I ended up taking an extra 30 hours as an undergrad. However, and I'm guessing some of you have come to realize, the professors here were not going to let me fall through the cracks. One professor in particular, Dr. Ed McLean, saw something in me and made sure my potential was realized. Thankfully “Captain Ed” as I called him believed in me and mentored me along the way. I owe him a lot, and under his direction I was able to get back on track. I did so well actually that when someone asks I can honestly tell him or her that I graduated fourth in my class. It wasn't because of my G.P.A., but by virtue of the order of graduation I was fourth in line that day. If I'm being completely honest, I probably had a little too much fun during my tenure as a Clemson student, but things turned out great in the end and I would not have changed a thing. At this point I need to change gears just a bit and do my best with the inspirational stuff and try not to make it sound too corny. I want to talk about something I learned a long time ago and goes along with my theme of family. I'm sure many of you either from your time here or just from growing up you have heard of the organization 4-H. Those four H's stand for head, heart, health, and hands. But I want to talk to you a little about what I have heard some call 2-H. These H's stand for Hard Work and Humility and I believe these two qualities are imperative to leading a very successful life. While you may not be the wealthiest person in terms of dollars and cents, these qualities can guarantee you will be rich in life. If you take one thing from what you hear me say today it is this: there is no substitute for hard work, and for all of you the hard work has only just begun. Earning a Clemson degree is a great privilege and an accomplishment that you should all take great pride in; I know I do. The vast majority of people your age will never see their names on a program or have diplomas hanging on their walls. The diploma will signal the end of your student tenure at this University, but in reality, this is just the beginning. For some of you, today you will leave Clemson to chart your course and embark upon your career. In whatever job you do put forth 100% effort -- it will shape your character and your destiny. The second H I alluded to earlier is Humility, and by Humility I mean the ability to recognize and accept your own strengths and weaknesses. You need to look at yourself honestly, understand your passions, and know what your strengths and weaknesses are in all facets of your life. No matter how much potential you have, a little humility will serve you well and help you focus on doing your best in whatever job you have. Now, this doesn't mean that you should not attempt everything that you possibly can, but understand that one item that might be your weakness could very well be something that one of your fellow graduates excels in. That is the great thing about Clemson. We may not be able to accomplish everything on our own, but as a family we can do anything. If you don't find yourself in your dream job right after graduation, and I venture to say that most of you won't, make the most of each opportunity to grow and learn. One of the first jobs I had when I graduated was selling life insurance door to door. I wouldn't say it was my dream job but I did it, and I didn't complain... much. Along the way, I learned a lot of invaluable information that helped prepare me for the bigger jobs around the corner like being the partner in my own company, writing the $7 billion state budget, and being a husband and a father, which most of you will realize is the toughest and most rewarding job of all. I have been blessed that at this point in my life I can say that I have achieved some major accomplishments and the support of Clemson and my Clemson family has been a guiding force each step of the way. The natural outcome of hard work and humility is often the desire to give back and I really encourage all of you to look for ways to invest in the lives of others. Service is far better than selfishness and it pays much greater dividends. In particular, look for ways to give back to the ones who have believed in you and invested in you such as your family, your Clemson family, your community, state, and country. Whenever I have made the choice to help others, whether through my church, or with my son as a Cub Scout leader, coaching my daughter's soccer team (a game which I know almost nothing about,) or in the local Lions Club I have never regretted it. I get to spend time with my friends and family. I get to make new friends along the way and maybe, in some small way, help out those who are in need. In fact, my desire to give back is what led me into a career in state government. I love being a civil servant, just like my father was, and I love making a difference in the lives of citizens every day. I see my Dad sitting over here today, he survived the depression, and WWII, and with my Mom they raised four children and ran a business. I want to thank them for instilling in me the virtues that I have been so honored to speak about today. I thank God that he and my mother could be here today to see this and see the man I have become, and being able to address all of you, my extended family. Make sure today when you leave this floor that you hug everyone who helped you along the way. I know I said I would try not to be too corny. A hug though, while it might be the simplest of gestures, can go a long way towards showing your appreciation. Don't forget the sacrifices your family has made, don't forget about that professor like Dr. McLean who encouraged you when he or she saw the potential that you didn't see in yourself, and don't forget the fellow graduates sitting next to you. One of you may be a future senator, governor, or even the U.S. president. But equally important you may own a small business, which is the lifeblood of our state, or work for an engineering firm developing the next carbon fiber break-thru or possibly even coming back here to Clemson to teach the next generation of students. Wherever your life takes you, you can make a positive difference in your community and in the lives of others. Actively look for ways that you can live a life of service. In particular, look for ways to give back to the ones who have believed in you. I've rambled on long enough and want to leave you with this one final thought: In life, you will fail at something at least once. We don't want to think about it, but it is inevitable. What makes you get back up and start again is something that I know you have been taught in life because you have been a Clemson student and now you are a Clemson graduate. Character, integrity and pride in yourself and your school -- If you think back to when you learned these things and what they mean to you, I guarantee you will find success in whatever you do and wherever you go. Thank you very much for this amazing honor and Go Tigers!
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