As graduation draws near, I would hate to depart this special community with unshared feelings. With the intention of originally molding my thoughts into a commencement speech, I’ve turned to writing this Op-Ed as a reflection on my past four years as a scholar, peer and champion of our university. 

I want to begin with a modification of what has become an international iconic expression of individuality and a celebration of diversity and free expression:

Je suis Brandeis.  

Brandeis would not be the same without each and every one of us. We are each special. We are unique. Yet collectively—we are a most productive and focused community.  And whether it was a reassuring nod at the start of an Orgo exam, the playful salute in passing on your way to the IBS or something as important as supporting a friend in their time of need, we have each made a difference. We are single, double and triple majors.  We have over-committed to our passions—from scholarly disciplines to creative pursuits, social justice and community service. We are our first Brandeis kiss on the Castle fire escape. We are every brisk walk to Dartmouth Street. We are the best Waffle Fries … ever. We are the warriors of Waltham Group, guardians of the Green Room, sentinels of the SCC and champions of Chums.

We are Brandeis.

And Brandeis is us. 

Given the current global circumstances, now could not be a better time to be a Brandeis student. All over the world, there are troubling examples of societies intolerant to diversity, opposed to ideas of acceptance and corrupt in attempting to mask truth.  I’d like to highlight one occurrence in particular: On Jan 7 of this year, 12 people were killed in Paris, France. Eleven of the victims belonged to Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French magazine advocating freedom of speech and expression. Magnetized to controversy, the magazine made a number of enemies through mocking religious beliefs and extremism. The slogan “Je suis Charlie” emerged as a response to threats to a liberal democratic way of life, backing freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Ultimately it became a cry for self-expression and individualism, with other groups adopting the phrases “Je suis Juif” and “Je suis Volnovakha” to honor victims of similar attacks in Vincennes and eastern Ukraine, targeted for their religious views, politics, and nationalities. The “Je Suis…” movement represents the unity of all people through pride in diversity and defiance in the face of those who fight to take away freedom of expression.

As Brandeisians, we are the catalysts for positive change, and we stand by our diversity with strength in understanding, strength in justice. Our education and our community have armed us with an acceptance of others, priming us to combat ignorance in the real world. Our appreciation for other cultures and our belief in truth span unto the innermost parts—it is the foundation of our education here at Brandeis. And though we embrace our differences—you might be the guy who wears his bathrobe to class, or the extra peppy Student Events coordinator, or the goalie for the Brandeis Judges—today, and from this point forward, we stand together as Brandeis students and alumni. Representing a community founded on the ideals of social justice and respect for diversity, “Je suis Brandeis” is our rallying cry. I am Brandeis. It is a movement, like “Je suis Charlie,” that requires us to be bold, to stand up to irrationally rigid views, intolerance and violent radicals in our society. It is a call for the college campus to be a place where all ideas and individuals have a voice that must be respected and heard. As Brandeisians, we’ve come together to realize this cause.

Our orientation motto, if you recall, was “hit the ground running.” And starting day one, we’ve done just that. To think, in addition to our board scores and the tireless hours we put into our college essays, we had to brave a hurricane in order to move into our freshman dorms. Since then, we’ve set the dial to achievement: we’ve cultivated ourselves to directly answer not what we want to be when we grow up but who we will become. We’ve incessantly grappled with squeezing another club into our busy schedules. We’ve watched a generation of driven, model students graduate, making way for our shining moments as club leaders, UDRs and Roosevelt Fellows. “Je suis Brandeis.” We are Brandeis, in that we’ve grown as the product of those before us, and currently, we shape this campus as newcomers aspire to be the mature, ambitious people each and every one of us has become.

Sir Isaac Newton put it simply: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Every freshman has heard the orientation speech, rattling off the names of the superstars who’ve walked these halls: David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Debra Messing and Mitch Albom, among many others. Yet, in my experience, it is not the giants-of-ego who will propel us forward but the giants-of-stature: professors, dedicated peers and doers who pass up credit to simply help us on our way. 

Consider the countless office hours spent, guided by the enthusiasm of a professor, eager to see his students succeed; or the patient encouragement of a close friend, selflessly pushing for your understanding within hours of a final exam.

This winter, in particular, was saved by the troves of maintenance workers, shoveling snow, clambering up roofs and sprinkling salt hours before we hit the snooze button before rolling out of bed. Googling “Brandeis Facilities,” the list of hardworking individuals is endless. Without credit, each of our facilities staff, our diligent maintenance workers, and our colorfully tempered Usdan and Sherman employees have made our Brandeis experience. To them, we owe resounding thanks for their hard work and lasting impression.

And to each of us who leave these hallowed halls—we will not be forgotten.  Our time here has mattered, and it has contributed to this special community.

Together, we’ve inspired, aspired, and perspired as individuals and as a unified force. We’ve populated peace vigils, donated hours as BUGS tutors and TAs and pried laughter from entire audiences as Brandeis Jocks in a BK Sketch. As we move forward into our bright futures, it is the legacy that we leave behind that contributes to the growth of this community. Regardless of your final direction, remind yourself: “Je suis Brandeis.”

As you prepare yourselves for the real world, remember the lifelong friendships you’ve made, the professors and administrators you’ve connected with, the community you’ve embraced and the community that embraced you. Remember the traditions of your classmates—engrain them in your memory. Hold fast to the pride you feel on the Brandeis Shuttle back from an Massachusetts Insitute of Technology party in Boston. Cling tightly to the victory of catching a Midnight Buffet T-Shirt or of enduring the cold as a dedicated Coven-Corner-Crusader. Consider the number of points you’ve spent on F’reals while crunching out Computer Science problem sets, the hours spent questioning why you thought working in Farber would be at all productive or the myriad of Einsteins’ bagel-and-shmear combinations you’ve tried. I encourage each and every one of you, as you come to your own, to reflect on the special community within which we’ve all thrived, the community characterized by courage and strength when faced with falsehood.

Je suis Brandeis. I am Brandeis. You are Brandeis. And Brandeis is you.

Stand for justice. Seek strong, genuine communities. “Hit the ground running,” and don’t ever stop.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015 community!

Thank you.