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I would like to close with some rather
more serious comments about education. In
my two years of full-time attendance at
Capilano College, I have studied
philosophy, and in the last year,
particularly, we have been examining
education from a variety of perspectives.
I feel I have been aware, for a number of
years, of the importance of education in
any society, but in really studying it,
that view was not only confirmed, it was
significantly expanded. If I were to sum
up, in one sentence, what I believe to be
the essence of education, it would be this:
the central feature of education must
address itself to the relationship between
individuals and their community. What I am
Suggesting here is that education's

function is not simply to train us, it is
more importantly, to engage us and to make
us critically aware of community concerns
which are beyond our personal ambitions.
To be educated is to be culturally, that
is socially and politically conversant, as
much as it is to be technically or
professionally qualified.

Each one of us, as individuals, has been
enriched by our education and we, in turn,
have the opportunity to enrich our
community. But since a community is only
as good or healthy or vibrant or vital as
the members who comprise it, a community
has a central and vested interest in
making education its primary concern. In
fact, it would be more accurate to say
that is has a responsibility in this area.
If education is to remain, or, perhaps,
become accessible to all, and if educators
are to be permitted to do their job
effectively, there is a need for all of us
to ensure that the integrity of our
institutions is properly respected, that
the teaching profession is given all due
credit for the important job it performs,
and that education in general is viewed in
its proper light.

I am leaving this college somewhat
reluctantly. I am very fond of this
institution. But I am leaving with a
respect and a regard that I too will pass
on to other prospective students. And in
this sense, our individual successes, which

we are celebrating here today, must also
be seen as the success of our college. It
is my hope that that success can continue

unimpaired.

Finally, and on a much, much lighter note.
it occurred to me that most students have
probably been guilty, at some time or
other, of blaming the teacher when their
grades haven't been quite up to scratch.
I'd like to reverse that today, by
suggesting that it is our moments of
success that aremore appropriate occasions
for us to blame the teacher. Inwhich case,
I blame every single instructor who has
had anything to do with the success of any
one of us here today. In other words, on
behalf of all graduating students, I would
like to say a sincere and heartfelt
thankyou and I would like to wish Capilano
College "unrestrained" success in the
years ahead.

ca
(ax

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD.

ie

The Canadian
Red Cross Society

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Valedictory Address continued |