Graduation Speech: What is Next? -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Ad

What is graduation? Some people would say that it's proof of the freedom we will soon experience. Some say that it's the end of the best years of our lives. Some would say that it's when we're forced to grow up and become adults. Some would say that it's just another day, no different than any other day, other than the scrolls, the funny outfits and the clapping. Some go into it silent, awaiting their chance to be recognized for their victory dance. Some use stupid comparisons to describe it by saying that it's like the opening of a new door or that it's like taking another step on the never-ending ladder of life. Some praise it, some dread it. Everyone has a different opinion, but there's one thing that we all agree on. There's one question on the back of all our minds that we worry about every time we think about this night. And that question is: What's next? There are a thousand things that can be compared to graduation, and some of them may be pretty accurate, but none of them can come close to the reality of what graduation really is. Graduation can't be described in words, other than it's an event 12 years in the making. We've waited 12 years, move than half our lives, to stand on a stage with a funny hat and robe, which if I'd see someone walking down the street wearing I'd throw something at them. But it's just really hard to think about. Twelve of our 18 years on this planet have been spend working towards this single night. From the building blocks in kindergarten, to kick and wallball in fourth and fifth grade. From standing in circles putting your arm around your girlfriend's waist in seventh and eighth grades, to pulling an all-nighter in Abbot's class in eleventh grade. It all prepares us. Now, the people I k... ...e questions that's on all of our minds: What is next? Well, what's next is up to us. It's up to us to accomplish those goals we set for ourselves. It's up to us to decide whether we'll choose stagnation or generativity. It's up to us to accept the reality of seriousness and the beauty that can be derived from it. And it's up to us to remember these past 12 years and move on to bigger and better things while at the same time remembering the experiences we've had with our friends and family, because these times are the best years of our lives. Everything else is just a remix. These times are the foundation of our lives, and just like a house is built up from the foundation, our lives will be built up from these past 12 years. I just made a corny graduation analogy, but I don't care. The feelings in this room tonight can't be put into words, but they can be remembered.

Trifles: An Investigation of The Murder of John Wright

The short story Trifles written by Susan Glaspell is a story regarding the investigation of the murder of John Wright by his wife, Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Hale is the wife of Mr. Hale, one of the men investigating the murder, and the neighbor of the Wrights. While the men investigate around the farmhouse looking for clues to prove Mrs. Wright was guilty, Mrs. Hale is downstairs with Mrs. Peters discovering their own evidence in the mishaps of Mrs. Wrights cleaning and sewing. Mrs. Hale begins to reminisce on how cheerful and full of life Mrs.Wright was prior to her marriage. She regrets not visiting with Mrs. Wright throughout the years especially since they were neighbors. Upon finding the unfinished quilt and the empty bird cage, they discover a dead canary with a strangled neck, the same way Mr. Wright’s neck was strangled. She begins to see the reasoning for Mrs. Wright murdering her husband. She concludes that Mrs. Wright was unhappy with her marriage and possibly neglected. Sh e decides to keep this information between her and Mrs. Peters instead of informing the men of their findings. Why would Mrs.Hale’s change in view of Mrs. Wright make her justify the reasoning behind why she murdered her husband? Maslows Hierarchy of Needs is a theory developed by Abraham Maslow to understand human motivation to fulfill our peak potential. It is described as a model which is divided into our basic needs (physiology, safety, love and esteem) and our growth needs (cognitive, aesthetic, and self-actualization. ) (McLeod, 2007) Saul McLeod believes that one must satisfy lower level basic needs before progressing to meet higher level growth needs. (McLeod, 2007) Mrs.Hales regresses from the cognitive need down to the love and belonging need as she begins to see Mrs. Wright as the friend whom she used to have and because of this she believes she was in an unhappy and neglected marriage, which has driven her to murder her husband. After entering the Wright house, wh ich is now a crime scene for the murder of Mr. Wright, Mrs. Hale is left alone downstairs with Mrs. Peters while the men go upstairs to find evidence to prove that Mrs. Wright murdered her husband. Upon engaging in conversation Mrs. Hale’s cognitive need becomes apparent when they inspect the knitting on Mrs.Wrights quilt. Mrs. Hales states â€Å"Mrs. Peters, look at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It’s all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about. †(Glaspell, 666). Mrs. Hale suspects that something could have caused the negligence of her stitching, She asks Mrs. Peters â€Å"What do you supposed she was so nervous about? † (Glaspell, 666) She seemed intrigued, insinuating there may have been a reason which drove her to murder her husband. Mrs.Hale is staggering on the cognitive level which is preventing her from progre ssing on to the next level of aesthetic because she is not concerned with her own needs to express herself in a pleasing way, But to express Mrs. Wright in a more pleasing way and not as some horrific murderer. Mrs. Hale goes on to explain to Mrs. Peters; â€Å"I wish you’d seen Minnie Foster when she wore a white dress with blue ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang. † (Glaspell, 670) She wants Mrs. Peters to view Mrs. Wright in the positive way that she was prior to her failed marriage.This actually shows her regression down to the love and belonging level. Towards the end of the play she realizes that she has been so busy in her life that she had neglected her friend in a time of need. She regrets not visiting her, stating that â€Å"I wish I’d come over here once in a while! That was a crime! That was a crime! Who’s going to punish that? † (Glaspell, 670) She feels guilty for not realizing that Mrs. Wright needed help. She tells Mrs. Peters â€Å"I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be-for women. I tell you, it’s queer, Mrs.Peters. We live so close together and we live far apart. † (Glaspell, 670) Mrs. Hale wishes she had been a better friend to Mrs. Wright and by doing that feels that could have helped prevent the murder from even happening. Maslows Law is a good theory to represent the understanding of Mrs. Hale, it signifies the importance of better understanding why she acted as she did. We use Maslows Law of Hierarchy Needs to better understand what motivates us to reach our full potential. According to McLeod, â€Å"progress is often disrupted by failure to meet lower level needs. (McLeod, 2007) Because Mrs. Hale had begun to care for her old friend, after trying to figure out what caused her to become a murder, She had regressed back down to the love and belonging level, Thus preventing her from progressing to the aesthetic level. WORKS CITED: McLeod, S. A. (2007). Mas low's Hierarchy of Needs. Glaspell, Susan. â€Å"Trifles. † Backpack Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing Fourth Edition. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. , 2012. 659-671. Print.

Top Biology Programs in U.S. Universities

College and university biology programs provide the opportunity to study a plethora of ideas and concepts. Below is a list of the top biology programs from colleges and universities in the United States. Obviously, publications rate the programs differently, but Ive seen the following programs turn up consistently in the rankings. It is always best to compare and contrast different programs as biology programs are unique. Always choose the best school for your interests and aspirations. Good luck! Top Biology Programs: East Boston UniversityOffers programs of study with undergraduate specialization in behavioral biology, cell biology, molecular biology genetics, ecology conservation biology, neurobiology, and quantitative biology. Brown UniversityOffers opportunities for study at all levels of biological organization, as well as a range of collaborative opportunities for independent study and research. Carnegie Mellon UniversityOne of the nations top private research institutions, this university offers courses that focus on five core areas: genetics and molecular biology, biochemistry and biophysics, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, and computational biology. Columbia UniversityOffers programs to prepare students for careers in basic research, medicine, public health, and biotechnology. Cornell UniversityCornells Biological Sciences program has hundreds of course offerings with concentrations in fields such as animal physiology, biochemistry, computational biology, marine biology, and plant biology. Dartmouth CollegeCourses of study provide students with an understanding of biology at environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Duke UniversityProvides opportunities for specializations in sub-disciplines including anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, animal behavior, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, genetics, genomics, marine biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and plant biology. Emory UniversityOffers advanced programs of study in various sub-disciplines including cell and molecular biology, physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology. Harvard UniversityOffers specialized plans of study in biomedical engineering, chemical and physical biology (CPB), chemistry, human developmental and regenerative biology (HDRB), human evolutionary biology (HEB), molecular and cellular biology (MCB), neurobiology, organismic and evolutionary biology (OEB), and psychology. Johns Hopkins UniversityOffers opportunities for study in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, biophysics, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, and much more. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)MIT offers courses of study in areas such as biochemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, neurobiology, and computational biology. Penn State UniversityIncludes programs of study in fields including general biology, ecology, genetics developmental biology, neuroscience, plant biology, and vertebrate physiology. Princeton UniversityOffers opportunities for study in areas including molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and chemical and biological engineering. University of North Carolina at Chapel HillThe programs of study at UNC prepare students for careers in the biological, environmental, and medical sciences. This includes fields such as medical, dental, and veterinary medicine. University of PennsylvaniaOffers areas of study including genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, development, plant biology, vertebrate physiology, neurobiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution. University of VirginiaThe biology curriculum offers specialization in areas such as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, ecology, and evolution. Yale UniversityThe Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) provides opportunities for study in biotechnology, plant sciences, neurobiology, genetics, cell and developmental biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemical biology. Central Indiana University - BloomingtonStudents earning a degree in biology at this university are prepared for careers in biology, biotechnology, and health-related fields. Specialized areas of study include ecology, genetics, microbiology, cellular, developmental, environmental, and molecular biology. Michigan State UniversityOffers various programs in the biological sciences including biochemistry and molecular biology. Northwestern UniversityOffers opportunities for study in the biological sciences with concentrations in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, neurobiology, physiology, and plant biology. Ohio State UniversityPrograms of study include forensic biology, life sciences education, and pre-health professions. Purdue UniversityOffers a wide range of study in fields of biology such as biochemistry; cell, molecular, and developmental biology; ecology, evolution, and environmental biology; genetics; health and disease; microbiology; and neurobiology and physiology. University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignProvides opportunities for study in genomics, physiology, ecology, evolution, and cell and molecular biology. University of IowaOffers biology programs of study in areas including cell and developmental biology, evolution, genetics, neurobiology, and plant biology. University of Michigan at Ann ArborPrograms provide opportunities for study in ecology and evolutionary biology; molecular, cellular and developmental biology, and neuroscience. University of Notre DameBiological and environmental sciences programs allow students to study evolutionary biology, cellular and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, and more. Vanderbilt UniversityOffers courses and research opportunities in biochemistry, structural biology and biophysics, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, computational biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, developmental biology, and neurobiology. Washington University in St. LouisProvides opportunities for study in genetics, neuroscience, development, population biology, plant biology, and more. West Arizona State UniversityThe field of biological science at Arizona State offers opportunities for study in animal physiology and behavior; biology and society; conservation biology and ecology; genetics, cell and developmental biology. Baylor UniversityBiology programs at Baylor are designed for students interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, ecology, environmental science, wildlife, conservation, forestry, genetics, or other areas of biology. Rice UniversityOffers opportunities to study in biochemistry and cell biology; biological sciences; ecology and evolutionary biology. University  of Colorado at BoulderOffers four undergraduate  biology-related  programs of study in molecular, cellular and developmental biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; integrative physiology; and biochemistry. University of KansasProvides opportunities for study in biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and molecular biosciences. University of MinnesotaPrograms of study in biology and in cell and molecular biology are offered for individuals interested in graduate study or professional training in the biological and health sciences. University of MontanaOffers opportunities to earn degrees in biology, microbiology, and medical technology. University of Nevada Las VegasUNLVs biological sciences program offers areas of concentration in biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, comprehensive biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, education, integrative physiology, and microbiology. University of OklahomaThis biological sciences program prepares students to enter medical, dental, or veterinary training, as well as other  biology-related  careers. University of OregonOffers biology programs of study with concentrations in ecology evolution; human biology; marine biology; molecular cellular developmental biology; and neuroscience behavior. University of Wisconsin at MadisonThe University of Wisconsins biology program includes opportunities for specialization in neurobiology and evolutionary biology. Pacific California Institute of TechnologyOffers opportunities for study in biology or  bioengineering. Stanford UniversityThis biology program gives students the foundation needed to pursue careers in the medical and veterinary  fields, as well as preparation for graduate study. University of California at BerkeleyProvides opportunities for study in biochemistry molecular biology; cell developmental biology; genetics, genomics development; immunology pathogenesis; and neurobiology. University of California at DavisStudent may choose to major in several concentrations including biochemistry and molecular biology; biological sciences;  cell biology; evolution, ecology and biodiversity; exercise biology; genetics; microbiology; neurobiology, physiology and behavior; and plant biology. University of California at IrvineOffers opportunities for study in biological sciences, biochemistry and molecular biology, biology/education, developmental and cell biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology and immunology, and neurobiology. University of California at Los AngelesProvides opportunities to study in biology and a number of biology-related areas including  ecology, behavior, and evolution; marine biology; microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics; molecular, cell developmental biology; integrative biology and physiology; neuroscience; and computational systems biology. University of California at Santa BarbaraStudents may choose to major in several specialized areas of biology including aquatic biology; biochemistry and molecular biology; ecology and evolution; cell and developmental biology; pharmacology; physiology; and zoology. University of Southern CaliforniaOffers opportunities for study in biological sciences,  human development  and aging, neuroscience, environmental science, and more. University of Washington at SeattleProvides opportunities for study in areas of biology including ecology, evolution, conservation biology; molecular, cellular developmental biology; physiology and plant biology.