Today in history, Operation Desert Storm began in Iraq, back when it was still a novel idea to engage that country militarily. And long before that, on Jan. 17, 1974, O.J. Simpson got the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Yet prior to that, in 1949, the first Volkswagen Beetle, known then as "the people's car," arrived in the U.S. from Germany. Jan. 17 was also the date of the first jazz concert performed at Carnegie Hall (1938), the defeat of the Nazis in Warsaw (1945), Eisenhower's last speech (1961) and extreme winter storms in the U.S. (2007). You see what I mean.

Of course, all of these events were crucial developments of our time. But none was more crucial than one particular thing that transpired four years ago today, Jan. 17, 2008: The first sure signs of a possible recession, verified by economists, the federal government, politicians and, according to thepeoplehistory.com—the site from which I am obtaining all of this information—the renowned authority, "everyone else." Now, you might be skeptical of my highlighting America's financial screw-ups at the expense of focusing on foreign policy screw-ups or even infamously screwed-up athletes, but I promise this will make sense. In fact, it has even more to do with January 17.

For the Class of 2012, January 17, 2012 is their last first day of school. Today marks the final opportunity Brandeis seniors have to begin a semester. Today, seniors will write bucket lists, have panic attacks and cry as they bite into their last first Einstein's bagel.

Today, many seniors will probably also trudge to the Hiatt Career Center, probably discover the earliest appointment available is not until mid-March, probably cry some more and acknowledge the likely prospect of a prolonged period of unemployment. You know why? Because four years ago today, the recession started. And now, in perfect parallel, seniors begin their last semester of college on the exact same date.

Any of those seniors can tell you with certain aggravation that the recession has dictated some decision they made in college, guided their post-college planning or changed some perspective they have on college education in general.

With the sad knowledge that job prospects are "grim," the market is "competitive" and living is "expensive," terrified college seniors who must begin to think about making it on their own start to learn the answers to the questions now pervading their sleep: Did I take the right class? Did I get a high enough GPA? Will this job make enough money for me to support myself? And pay off all my loans?

Yes, it's scary from this angle. But watching friends cope with the onset of the new reality reminds me every day how important today's January 17 really is. Like it or not, the recession played a part in not only generating a climate of profound desperation but also developing certain components of our character. More than anything, the recession made it known that the world outside our Waltham campus is tough. The notorious "next year" is harsh, and it's inevitable.

So what have we done? We studied. We began the job search, the graduate school search or the search for the alternative lifestyle.

We talked to our peers and our professors, and we educated ourselves. Overall, we did the best we could. I would venture to say the recession only pushed us harder. And when that push comes to shove, that might not necessarily be so bad.

But, seniors, as of today, January 17, you're going to college one last time. I'm not about to tell you to take advantage of all the classes to take, professors to know or books to read, all of which are nevertheless exciting things to take advantage of today. Instead, take advantage of the fact that you are in an ideal position to revolutionize a reputable institution.

And by that I mean the following: Think about what you want to change at Brandeis. Change it. You can own the results.

You, having spent nearly four years here, have answers. And more importantly, after working hard enough to try to beat the recession, you know how to beat the system. So why not take the skills you've garnered trying to rise above the recession and apply them to perfecting Brandeis as much as you can?

You know how you would theoretically improve the Usdan Student Center, Hiatt, Goldfarb and Farber Libraries and Brandeis Counseling Services. You know exactly what's wrong with the Politics department, the Economics department, the Psychology department and the Health: Science, Society and Policy program. And you definitely have a word about your first-year dormitory.

Well, there's no better time than now to raise your voice; thankfully, we've got many receptive administrators, considerate professors and a new strategic planning committee, all waiting for you to initiate.

As we go out into the world with our head full of thoughts on our college experience at Brandeis, I guarantee you it would be far more productive to tell a professor or an administrator these thoughts while you're still here than to wait to vent until you're out.

I know as well as you how hard it is to turn away from your job search, even for just a minute, considering the economic baggage you picked up starting almost four years ago. But it would be worth your while—and a lot of other people's while, for sure—to resolve to focus on this place this semester as much as you can. We have the power to make real productive changes before we leave. And thankfully, unlike the hierarchical workplace, at Brandeis, people listen.