that was followed by a scholarship to a polytechnic institute of new york, now nyu poly, and on to amaster's degree in mechanical engineering at columbia university. my mother saw education as a way up and out of the projects. she made whatever sacrifices were necessary to see to it that we had an opportunity to a good education, and then she insisted that we take advantage of that opportunity. all of the graduates here today have that same opportunity. don't even, don't take it for granted. don't take it for granted. all of you will have immense challenges. you will immerse yourself in a world full of opportunities. i've given some thought about what my advice to you would be today, especially since i have you, and you must listen to me, and i've boiled it down to five things, so here they go. first, i would encourage all of you to follow the example of xavier and embrace change and learning willingly and with a sense of excitement and and wonder. the university is approaching its centennial anniversary. think about that. almost 100 years. it has survived and excelled and reinvented