Thank you very much. To the newly minted Dr. Ranieri, congratulations and thank you for all that you've done for education in New York State and also for Long Island University in particular.

Chancellor Mullarkey, Trustees of the University, President Steinberg, faculty and particularly the students, I thank you for this high honor and I am proud to be a new member of your community.

As you've heard, it's mother's day. And, in thinking about giving a commencement address on mother's day, I had to debate whether to first congratulate the mothers or first congratulate the students. The mothers of course deserve recognition not just because it's mother's day, but they, and your fathers, deserve recognition because it is their DNA that enabled to get where you are. So to the mother's, happy mother's day and to all parents, both of them, your combined genes have paid off handsomely.

However there is a mother's day every year. And, of course this graduation for students is a unique occasion and thus most of today's congratulations must go to the students who are graduating and sitting before us. Well done and kudos to all of you.

And particularly to those mothers who are graduating today, I know there are some of you out there and you are really amazing and special. Congratulations must go to you.

However, you can't blame it all on your parents. We all know that it not just your genetic heritage that got you here today. Your individual experiences, your challenges, your determination have helped you overcome adversities, have helped you survive the academic rigor and I hope have helped make you a better person. I trust that all of you graduating here today will be proud of what you have accomplished, and I hope that you really understand what you have achieved.

What you have learned during your degree courses is just the beginning. You have not just learned facts to pass exams, or how to write essays, or how to master a performance, but you have learned how to learn. And I want to say that again because this is important. You have learned how to learn. It is a truly extraordinary power that you have gained and it should be treasured and nurtured.

As you enter the non-academic world, a world that many of you already know, and that others will soon enjoy, you should strive to continue your education. But this will be an entirely a self-motivated education, not structured by university professors or by formal classes, but by you alone. And it's a lot cheaper than going to college!

You are in the internet age where information is at your finger tips, but I suggest that this type of information is not all that you should rely on in the future. Reading books and magazine articles is a good example, for it is well written treatises that ideas can be fully fleshed out by an author and be better appreciated by the reader. It is hard to develop ideas and understand ideas from short internet blogs or by surfing the web through Google searches. Only by continuing to educate your self will you fully appreciate the skills that you have gained whilst a student at this great university.

Set goals and understand what you want to learn, not what you have to learn. You have not finished your learning, but are still in the early stages of your journey. Please remain intellectually curious because if you do, you will attract like-minded people.

From what I can gather, the President is not intellectually curious and it is reflected in the many polices and programs that have been initiated, or not initiated, by his administration. And America I think is not for the better. Unless there is any ambiguity here, I'm talking about the President of the United States , not to the President of the University!

We are, unfortunately, in a period in America where inquisitiveness and debate is declining, or if it is attempted, it is too quickly frowned upon or politicized. One is immediately accused of being a liberal or conservative if you express a single idea, whether that idea is political or not. Debate in America is becoming a lost art. Rather, what in the past has been lauded as real debate and discussion has now degenerated into shouting matches between supposed entertainers on 24-hour television services or radio. Every issue that is discussed must necessarily be polarized or cast as partisan. The vast middle ground has slipped away. But this middle ground is where real discussion and consensus building normally occurs. And perhaps what is even worse, the media is spending huge amounts of time debating trivia. Witness one current example of whether Paris Hilton should go to jail or not. Who really cares? But it is the time spent on television that is more of a crime than the one that Paris committed in the first place.

So I ask that you new graduates set an example. Go out and learn. Be intellectually inquisitive. Debate and discuss. But respect the views of others. You will only be able to effectively participate in such discussions and debates if you continue to learn about our world, about your neighbors about the lessons you have learned from the past. Then you will fully enjoy participation as a citizen and graduate in the communities in which you live and work.

I trust that you have enjoyed your time here. Many of you may miss student life to which you have become so accustomed. To those graduating with a bachelor's degree I say congratulations on achieving a major milestone in your education. And, to those graduating with a masters or doctoral degree, you are examples of the virtues of a continuing education.

Now you enter a graduate world, a world where you will be on your own, albeit with continued help from family and friends. Look around you and remember not this speech, but those who are sitting next to you, those of your colleagues you work with, and classmates and teachers. Stay in touch with them, for they will help you continue this great achievement that you are celebrating today.

And finally, stay in touch with this great university. It should remain a home. And in the future, it will need your support, and help, as it continues its mission to educate your children.

Hooray for all of you and congratulations!