Remarks and Speeches
Hearn Chun, Sungkyunkwan University and Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea
Speech Transcript
Today, Dartmouth College celebrates the inauguration of a new president, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, who has dedicated two decades of his life to serving the poor and inspiring others to do the same.
We rejoice in knowing that justice and peace will be hastened in the world as Dartmouth College, with her cherished traditions and community of dedicated learners, further commits to educating the world around her.
We are thankful for the vision and hard work of all those in the Wheelock Succession who have built this blessed community of learning. Dartmouth’s rich tradition of academic excellence imbued with an enduring commitment to peace and justice prepared the way for the historic appointment of the first Asian American Ivy League president. Dartmouth College has been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of inspired educational leadership for this century and beyond.
We need now, more than ever, reassurance of the goodness and self-reliance of every human soul on earth. Help us to be humble as we seek enlightenment, always remembering that the responsibilities of love require that we satisfy the demands of justice.
We know that we have been blessed with the advancement of science through the work of searching minds undeterred by the toils of learning. Help us to brighten our souls and focus our enormous resources on breaking the chains of destruction and enmity that persist in this world and to claim joy and sustenance for each and every soul on this planet.
We desire to be foolishly optimistic as we persevere to right the wrongs of our past. Help us to be kind as we forgive ourselves and others, rejoicing in our capacity for repentance.
Please protect Dartmouth College and the new president and keep them in good health. Let the joy and gratitude of this day overflow this gathering on the Green and spread to the ends of our beloved earth. Amen.
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