Student commencement speaker and AEM graduate Kevin Hicok encourages his classmates to use the valuable lessons they have learned at the U both in future work and throughout life.

by Kevin Hicok

EDITOR'S NOTE: Each year, the Technolog publishes an abridged version of the IT student commencement address. This year's address was given by Kevin Hicok, who earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering.

I sat down to write this [speech] about a million times, trying to find some sort of focus. It's a lot harder than you think. The [speaker selection] interview board asked me what I hoped people would remember from my speech tonight. In all honesty, I don't care if you remember a single word I say, but I do hope you remember the feelings you have this day, your graduation day.

For those of you who don't know me, let me give you a little background. I came from a small town in Iowa named Rockford. It was a great place to come from. Life was simple, and I never had to worry about many of the harsh realities of life. I was fortunate enough to have two wonderful parents, two awesome brothers to look up to, and a life free from many worries. I was happy to be where I was and really had no desire to leave Iowa.

During my search for the perfect college, my future sister-in-law convinced me to take a look at the University of Minnesota. I never thought that I would come here, but I decided to give it a chance.

The University actually seemed interested in me. It felt like they wanted me to come here. The first University faculty member I met was Professor Perry Leo, who would eventually become my academic advisor. He convinced me to come to here with his answer to a question about the amount of lab work I would get to do.

"As an undergrad you don't get a ton of specialized lab work," he said. "We save a lot of that for the grad students." He must have seen the look of worry in my eyes, because he quickly added, "But rest assured, you'll still have the opportunity to make things blow up and go bang." And I did.

AEM graduate Kevin Hicok

The four years I've been here have gone so fast. It hit me quite hard a little over a month ago: I would soon be graduating from college, pinning on my Second Lieutenant's bars, and starting my life as a "responsible" adult at age 22. Had I really grown that much in four years? Then I thought about the memories that will stick with me, and I realized that the academics are not what has had the most impact on my life at the U. It's places, experiences, and people that I will cherish most.

My greatest joy since coming to Minneapolis has been getting the opportunity to meet so many different people and sharing my experiences with them. Since I've been at the University, I've met many of my best friends.

As I walked through the crowded streets of London [on a recent trip abroad], I realized what a small percentage of the world our graduating class actually is. For four years, differential equations, fluid flow, and solid-body mechanics have been our language‹one that is foreign to most at home as well as abroad. However, it became dramatically clear to me the concept that distinguishes my peers from many others is not the mathematics, not the chemistry and certainly not the size of their calculators. What sets them apart is their drive, their determination, and most importantly their hearts.

Of all my times at the U, the memories with friends (whether at study or at play) are the ones that will remain.

These people have been there when I needed help with a problem [or] when I was down on myself. They were also there to celebrate when I received my pilot's selection in the U.S. Air Force and to welcome me to my 21st birthday. These are the people that I have stood arm and arm with, walking around the streets of London as well as from a night at the computer labs. And, although we may have our differences of opinion, we respect the integral piece of the puzzle that each fulfills. Not only will these people make the world go round, they have made my world go round. Parents, I'd like to thank you for raising these kids. Kids, thanks for being here on this journey with me.

Now we have to be "big kids".

It's kind of cool if you think about it, kind of empowering as well. A lot of responsibility is right around the corner for us. I hope you're ready for it. Tonight I'm not going to tell you how to live your life from here on; that's your game, and I'm a rookie at it as well. I just have a few favors to ask if I might.

First, take the confidence, pride, and heart that you have developed here and nurture them throughout your life. These three things, when treated with care and respect, will never lead you astray and will bring great joys. You've earned the right to be proud of who you are and what you can accomplish, but there is a big universe out there just asking for you to give it a challenge or two. Go for it.