2007 UC Davis Fall Convocation

Convocation remarks

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef's introduction

And now for our final speaker, alumna Debra Cleveland. Debra has been a staff member for some 15 years, most recently in the Division of Student Affairs, where she serves as Web content coordinator. She purposely works 75 percent time so she has time for her volunteer activities—in particular for a nonprofit program that provides therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities. As you’ll discover, she sees inspiration all around her—and believes you can, too. Debra?

By Debra Cleveland

The phrase "six degrees of separation" was popularized by a 1993 movie of the same title—the premise being that, within six people, we can discover a connection to anyone in the world.

I'd like to share with you my thoughts on "degrees of inspiration."

When asked to call to mind inspiring people, we often think of those whose extraordinary accomplishments are recognized worldwide: Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, to name a few. They exemplify one degree of inspiration.

Another degree of inspiration, however, lies closer to home, provided by friends, colleagues—perhaps even those we don't know well.

For instance, the person who has been most inspirational to me is a friend who introduced me to my faith community, which now provides an enduring foundation for my life, no matter the changes and chances of this world.

Each of you can likely call to mind a person close to you who has been similarly inspiring: a grandmother whose love and patience carried you through a difficult time, an encouraging supervisor whose support led to a promotion, a friend who listened compassionately when you were troubled.

What links these degrees of inspiration are the virtues that underlie them, the qualities that are the best we have to offer: determination, graciousness, courage, persistence, kindness, strength — and there are many others.

So when we exemplify positive qualities, when we bring them to bear on any endeavor, we are inspiring.

The poet Maya Angelou has said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Isn't that the essence of being inspiring: working to make people feel uplifted, valued, capable and accepted? Again, the positive qualities I mentioned earlier are what we call upon to make people feel all of those things.

It's most difficult, of course, to exemplify these qualities in trying or stressful circumstances, and yet it makes our exercising of them all the more inspiring.

I was recently at a sporting event, and some of the participants were unhappy with how the referee had called the game. I watched as she responded to anger by patiently listening and remaining detached. I was so impressed that I later e-mailed her to let her know that I appreciated her inspiring behavior under difficult circumstances.

What is beautiful, to me, about being inspiring, is that it has nothing to do with position or material means, and we have opportunities to be inspirational each day.

I hope you'll take time after the convocation to talk with each other about someone in your life who has provided you with a degree of inspiration.

Debra Cleveland is the Web content coordinator in Student Affairs.

Last updated Oct. 1, 2007

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