哈佛大學(xué)校長(zhǎng)Drew Faust畢業(yè)典禮致辭

　　哈佛大學(xué)Drew Faust：最好的教育即培養(yǎng)精神習(xí)慣

　　Faust于Memorial Church向身著方帽長(zhǎng)袍的畢業(yè)生發(fā)表了一年一度的畢業(yè)班告別講話。一年一度的畢業(yè)儀式在畢業(yè)典禮之前舉行，包括祈禱、唱詩(shī)及校長(zhǎng)為畢業(yè)班進(jìn)行的告別演講。

　　“牢記正是通藝教育為各位應(yīng)對(duì)變革做好了準(zhǔn)備，”Faust說(shuō)。“更新我們的承諾并重新規(guī)劃人生的機(jī)會(huì)是一項(xiàng)僅供少數(shù)幾代人擁有的特權(quán)。而現(xiàn)時(shí)它不是一種可能，而是一種必要。”

　　這一幾乎與哈佛大學(xué)同樣古老的儀式可以追溯到1642年。當(dāng)年的舉行的第一次儀式使哈佛的工作人員及神職人員有機(jī)會(huì)在更安格按照流程進(jìn)行的畢業(yè)典禮之前向畢業(yè)生發(fā)表講話。

　　這一儀式由基督教道德Plummer 講席教授及Memorial Church蒲塞牧師Rev. Peter J. Gomes主持，主要以儒學(xué)、伊斯蘭教、印度教、猶太教及基督教讀物為特色。

　　Faust的講話是儀式的中心亮點(diǎn)。

　　她稱哈佛大學(xué)強(qiáng)調(diào)通藝教育正是為了這樣的危機(jī)時(shí)刻設(shè)計(jì)的。

　　“我們一直堅(jiān)持最好的教育即培養(yǎng)精神習(xí)慣，一種分析的精神、一種評(píng)判及探究的能力，這能使你們勝任于任何環(huán)境或者選擇任何職業(yè)方向，”Faust說(shuō)。“這一理念怎能比現(xiàn)在這一時(shí)刻更為適合?”

　　Faust號(hào)召畢業(yè)生勇往直前應(yīng)對(duì)挑戰(zhàn)，指出盡管我們不喜歡不確定性，但是不確定的時(shí)代為個(gè)人成長(zhǎng)及職業(yè)生涯成長(zhǎng)都提供了機(jī)會(huì)。她引用了作家Joan Didion的話將應(yīng)對(duì)生活形容為“嚴(yán)苛與安逸、束縛與自由、理智及直覺(jué)充滿魔力的交匯處。”她也引用爵士音樂(lè)大師Charlie Parker的話，“掌控你的樂(lè)器、掌控音樂(lè)，之后忘情演奏。”

　　Faust指出，不確定性和應(yīng)對(duì)對(duì)于要求準(zhǔn)確性的領(lǐng)域如物理學(xué)和藥學(xué)也是十分重要的。而在人文領(lǐng)域，應(yīng)對(duì)是基于結(jié)構(gòu)和研究的自然產(chǎn)生的表達(dá)。

　　Faust以回憶她的在1968年的畢業(yè)典禮作為演講的結(jié)束。20世紀(jì)60年代末和70年代初的學(xué)生畢業(yè)于社會(huì)巨大變革成為可能性的時(shí)代。她指出，曾經(jīng)失去許諾現(xiàn)今已經(jīng)回歸，并號(hào)召畢業(yè)生抓住屬于他們的機(jī)遇。

　　“繼續(xù)掌控你的樂(lè)器。繼續(xù)掌控你的音樂(lè)。”Faust說(shuō)。“不時(shí)回到學(xué)校讓我們知道你進(jìn)展如何。我相信在完成這項(xiàng)任務(wù)上沒(méi)有任何一群人能比你們更值得我信任。”

　　Faust delivered the annual Baccalaureate Address Tuesday afternoon in the Memorial Church to cap-and-gown-clad graduating seniors. The Baccalaureate Service is an annual pre-Commencement rite, consisting of prayers, hymns, and the president’s farewell address to the graduating class.

　　“Remember that improvising in the face of change is exactly what your liberal arts education has prepared you to do,” Faust said. “The opportunity to renew our commitments and remap our lives is a privilege given only to some generations. And this time it’s not just a possibility, it’s a necessity.”

　　Almost as old as Harvard itself, the service dates back to the first Commencement in 1642, and gives Harvard officials and clergy a chance to address the senior class before the more scripted events of Commencement itself on Thursday.

　　The service, conducted by the Rev. Peter J. Gomes, the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, featured readings from Confucius, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity.

　　Faust’s address was the service’s centerpiece.

　　She said that Harvard’s emphasis on a liberal education is designed for times such as these.

　　“We have insisted that the best education is the one that cultivates habits of mind, an analytic spirit, a capacity to judge and question that will equip you to adapt to any circumstance or take any vocational direction,” Faust said. “When did such principles better suit circumstances than now?”

　　Faust urged graduating seniors to follow their hearts and improvise, saying that though we dislike uncertainty, uncertain times provide opportunity for both personal and professional growth. Citing writer Joan Didion, Faust defined an improvised life as “that magical crossroads of rigor and ease, structure and freedom, reason and intuition.” She also cited jazz great Charlie Parker, who said, “Master your instrument, master the music, and then forget all that … and just play.”

　　Uncertainty and improvisation are important even in fields known for precision, such as physics and medicine, Faust said. And in the arts, improvisation is a spontaneous expression based on structure and research.

　　Faust ended her speech with reflections on her own commencement, in 1968. Students in the late 1960s and early 1970s graduated at a time when dramatic social change seemed possible. That promise was lost, but has returned today, Faust said, urging graduates to seize their opportunity.

　　“Keep mastering your instruments. Keep mastering the music,” Faust said. “And come back from time to time and let us know of your progress. There is no group to whom I would rather entrust this task.”