The following speech was given by Daniel R. Cullinane '07, senior class president, at the 2007 Commencement Exercises.

Bishop Boland; Father Shanley; Mr. Gavitt; Honorary Degree Recipients; Dominican Friar community; distinguished faculty; proud parents; family; friends; and most importantly, fellow members of the Class of 2007:

Let me first thank my classmates for entrusting me with the humble responsibility of addressing you on this special day - this time of great celebration, this time of new beginnings.

Yesterday afternoon, I was walking around campus during what could only be classified as the pre-baccalaureate scramble, saying the usual hellos to friends and families that passed - something we all have done so many times before. And as I was approaching DiTraglia Hall, I am not exactly sure what it was, but I literally came to a stop. I just kind of slowly surveyed the landscape, from the beauty of the chapel grotto to the magnificence of the chapel; glancing at the statue of Saint Dominic, to the different pathways to class each one of us walked countless times. I stood there taking everything in, watching fellow seniors and their families pass by, telling stories of the wonderful week we have shared together. It was at this very moment that it hit me; it would be the last time I would be doing this as a student at Providence College.

Embracing this brief, sentimental moment, I realized that I was not overcome by feelings of sadness or grief or even fear of the future, but rather of a deep satisfaction, a sense of pride in our class' accomplishments - a pride I ask each of you to share in this day.

As I look out over this sea of incredible graduates, I can say with extreme confidence, Class of 2007, Providence College is a better place now than it was when we first walked through its gates four short years ago.

Now don't get me wrong, we had our fun doing it. From JRW to Late-Nights; from concerts to clam jams; from the ever-classy off-campus bars which would lead to an inevitable call to Golden Crust; and who could forget our beloved McPhail's. Yes, those may be some of our fondest memories.

Our four years have been filled with great times, meeting new people, establishing lasting friendships, and experiencing new things. College has been a coming of age for us all and we have lived it to the fullest. I trust that each of you will have no trouble recalling all the good times you had and the many lessons you have learned. Those memories are yours to cherish.   

What I want to share with you today is something that by its very nature goes unnoticed yet remains at the core of this college and is the legacy each of us has had a stake in leaving behind to flourish at Providence College. I want to talk to you today about our class' commitment to service.

The term service can mean different things to different people, but to me, and I daresay the school, service is an inclusive spectrum, a consciousness that has been fostered here which allows us as individuals to live our daily lives for causes greater than ourselves. I speak of service that can span from little actions of kindness to great deeds of sacrifice. Here at Providence College among our best friends and dearest mentors we have come to realize the countless benefits of service - friendships, knowledge, wisdom, and happiness.    

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And since I am only allowed a few minutes to speak with you, I am going to take a big risk.

I need to ask for my classmates' participation. I know this might be quite the chore considering the toll last week has taken on us all. But nevertheless I ask. I ask that each of you that has engaged in community service while at Providence College to raise your hand.

Come on - get them up. This could be participating in or volunteering: Urban Action, Campus Ministry - 900 volunteers annually, Habitat for Humanity, BMSA, Residence Life, ROTC, Feinstein Center - Student Majors in Public and Community Service, Student Teaching, Volunteered Their Summers, Tutoring, Women's Will, Soup Kitchens, Homeless Shelters, Health Clinics, Internships, Volunteering at Hospitals, Off-Campus Cleanups, Special Olympics, Helping the Disabled or Disadvantaged, Donated to a Charity at a Senior Night, and the many more organizations and causes that have not been mentioned.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are your sons and daughters, the future leaders of our society that without incentive or enforcement have given freely of their time and energy toward the cause of bettering those less well off in our world. You deserve a round of applause.

Today we graduate the future lawyers, doctors, accountants, corporate executives, business leaders, politicians, and teachers of our generation. There is no better example than the diversity of majors of those before us who just raised their hands to illustrate that service is not confined to certain professions or academic concentrations. Service is for everyone and its benefits are endless. The old adage reads, "You make a living by what you get, but a life by what you give."

If there is one thing we all can take away from Providence College together it is this - each of us sitting here today is called to a life of service. This does not mean that you have to pack your bags for a Third World country or join the priesthood, although for some it might. Rather, it means that each day, regardless of your pursuits, you have the ability to make a difference in the life of another. Embrace that opportunity. 

"Be the change you want to see in the world," Gandhi said. We have to be. No one else can do it for us. You are called to use your skills and your vocation for the betterment of not only yourself, but your family, your community, and your world.

This has been a year of lasts. That ended yesterday at baccalaureate. This commencement ceremony is a call to action, a call to go forth with mission and purpose using the education and relationships you have built under the guidance of Providence College to make this world a place that we will be comfortable handing to our children.

In the words of Robert Kennedy, "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." 

Look around this auditorium; if each one of us commits ourselves to going out of our way to improve the life of one person each day we have the potential to make tremendous progress. Begin as you leave today . . . hold the door for someone you do not know, introduce yourself to someone you haven't met, or thank those who have made sacrifices to help you succeed.

Classmates, today signifies that we have been armed with intellect and in a few moments we will be handed a diploma that will open countless doors of opportunity. We are the lucky ones. We have been given an invaluable chance. We have a tremendous power to make a difference in this world. "To whom much is given, much is expected." Saint Luke wrote. This could not be more truthful, and as I stand here today I could not be more impressed at how the Class of 2007 has answered this call.

As we go forth into the world, let us never forget the good times we have had, the friends we have made, and the lessons we have learned, but most important of all, let us embrace the true blessings in our life that allow us to be where we are today. 

Thank you.