2006 UC Davis Fall Convocation

Final comments

By UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef

And now please join me again in thanking Jeff, Eisha, Lin, Marya and Francisco for offering us their insights this morning.

In closing, I want to share with you a little of the humor and the heart of Jamie Lee Curtis’ new children’s picture book, titled “Is There Really a Human Race?” You might have seen recent reviews of it in The Sacramento Bee and other news media. I wish I could show you the illustrations by Laura Cornell that accompany the book’s words – they would make you smile, no matter what your age is!

The two authors set out to show children – and to remind the adults reading to them – that how we live and how we love is how we learn to make the world a better place, one small step at a time.

In Jamie Lee Curtis’ words:

“Shouldn’t it be that you just try your best?

And that’s more important than beating the rest?

Shouldn’t it be looking back at the end

That you judge your own race by the help that you lend?

….Make friends and love well, bring art to this place.

And make the world better for the whole human race.”

In my mind’s eye, I can see Angelina Malfitano nodding her head in vigorous agreement. And I know Angie’s parents, who are here today, can as well. And as I look out at you, our UC Davis family, I see that our world is in good hands.

By what you do every day, in ways big and small, you are absolutely making “the world better for the whole human race.” In the end, it is indeed the help that you lend – whether a small kindness, a patient response, or a major initiative with far-reaching impact – that makes all the difference.

Individually – and collectively – we’ve embraced our calling, and we can’t help but make a positive difference.

Thank you very much.

Last updated Oct. 2, 2006

Questions or comments? Contact Susanne Rockwell, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-2542