Valedictory Address -- Class of 2003
by Amy Anderson
When I applied to come to Augustine College I was given an assignment – the first of many. I was to write a short essay on a quote by
Francis Bacon, in which he separates books into three categories: those to be simply tasted, those to be chewed, and those to be swallowed and
digested. As I was thinking about the last eight months, I suddenly realized that these descriptions apply just as aptly to experiences as to
books.
Some moments in life pass quickly and are forgotten. Others stay with us a little longer, and then there are those that will remain with us to
be pondered and mulled over for years to come. Augustine has been one of the enriching experiences that will never fade away. If I were never to
pick up another book or speak to another person for the rest of my life, this year would have provided me with ample food for thought. And yet,
it hasn’t been the sort of experience that makes me feel as though I have had too much. I’m currently so overwhelmed by the flood of new
ideas that I ought to be unable to absorb any more. And yet, instead of being full to overflowing, I find myself craving more: more books, more
conversations, more ideas.
It will take some time to thoroughly digest all that I’ve learned this year, but the process of considering and examining all of this
information will, I believe, fulfill the purpose of learning as Jesus described it: to bring forth both new and old from the treasure-stores of
our minds and hearts. This year has undoubtedly made enormous contributions to the intellectual treasures stored up by each student. It seems as
though we’ve covered the history of the whole world in these last eight months. We’ve studied the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the
great gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, and the basic tenets of quantum physics. The theories of special and general relativity and the
contrapuntal harmonies of the Baroque period are a little clearer to us now and our shower walls are a testament to a somewhat improved Latin
vocabulary. We’ve learned to identify a glurk, although you’ll have to ask Dr. Hunter for a detailed description, and every one of us would
recognize a shrieking nymph on first hearing. These things will, I’m sure, prove invaluable to us in the future.
There have, however, been subtler and more important lessons learned this year. We’ve learned to think and read critically, to question
information and to consider the truth not only of a final conclusion but also of the premises upon which an argument is made. The value of
wisdom over knowledge has become increasingly evident as we have seen both displayed in the lives and teaching of our professors. The body of
knowledge that we have received has enabled us to begin to view the world through the lens of history. It has given us the ability to look at
the world critically and yet to love it: not, as Oscar Wilde said, in all its tainted glory, but for the perfect beauty and flawless design that
once characterized creation. We have seen God’s hand in history and, in light of that, are able to see his work in the world today.
The Westminster Catechism says that the chief end of man is to glorify god and enjoy him forever. Augustine College has definitely prepared us
to serve that purpose. We have learned that the Christian faith is not an unreasonable fairy tale. Rather, it is a belief system that can be
rationally subscribed to and defended. We have been prepared to serve the Lord with all of our minds and all of our hearts, and to see his
beautiful plan in the world around us. All of these things will remain with us as we go out into our various worlds.
We thank our professors for bringing us to this point; your patience, passion, and encouragement have been very precious to us. We also want to
thank those who have been with us before and throughout this year: our parents, friends, and family. Your love and prayers have kept us going.
Finally, thank and praise the Lord for helping us to make it through! He’s brought us here and he’ll take us on in the future. To my
classmates, I’ve got one final word for you - fittingly, a quote from Professor Patrick: Think, read, and speak as truthfully as you can; the
rest is in God’s hands. God bless! Thank you