Goshen, Ind — “Goshen puts an emphasis on the integrity of mind, body and soul, and I know you have worked hard, played hard and served hard. Now you are ready to be let loose on the world,” said the Rev. Joy Carroll Wallis to the gallery of Goshen College graduates during the GC commencement Sunday afternoon.
She spoke to the 243 graduating students honored during the 109th annual GC commencement.
Wallis, the commencement guest speaker, grew up in the inner city of South London as the child of an Anglican priest. She was one of the first women to be ordained as a priest on the Anglican Church of England in 1994.
She told the gallery a story of an old Cherokee who taught his grandson of two wolves that battle within each of us. One evil that embodies the negative temptations in life, and the other good that embodies “joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith,” she said.
The Cherokee’s grandson asked, “which wolf wins?”
“The old Cherokee replied, ‘The one you feed,’” she said.
“Just because you are all set with this fabulous educational and spiritual experience here at Goshen, it doesn’t mean it’s easy/plain sailing from here on in ... It’s all about the choices and the decisions we make. Making the right choices, feeding the right wolves, and it’s something we will wrestle with for the rest of our lives on a daily basis,” she said.
The GC graduating class is made up of 60 students who graduated with a bachelors of science in nursing degree, 16 with a bachelors of science in organizational leadership, three with a bachelors of science in organizational management, and 164 with a bachelors of arts degrees.
“The message that stuck with me was of the wolves and which one you feed in life,” said nursing major Marianne Stegman. “And that you need to stay true to yourself.”
Wallis also said, “Don’t just go where you are directed or invited, don’t just do something because you can, but go where your moral compass leads you. Try and make the connections between your talents and gifts and your deepest values and beliefs.”
Interdisciplinary major Dan Clouse said, “I want to travel, get out of the country and clear my head a little bit before settling down.”
Clouse had a Spanish focus throughout college. “I want to travel to a country that speaks Spanish. I could polish that up a bit, and I believe it will help me to get a job anywhere,” he said.
Wallis also noted the emotion of “fear” as a culprit that can hold people back.
“After the terrible shooting at Virginia Tech, I’m afraid to ever let my kids go to college ... but I cannot feed that wolf,” she said, “Always look for the courage to counter the fear. Which wolf will we feed? Feed the courage, starve the fear. Let us strive to be the ones who choose courage over fear.”
Respond: (574) 533-2151, ext. 310
dave.johnson@goshennews.com
Local News
GC graduation: ‘Choose courage over fear’
- Local News
-
-
Goshen VFW Honor Guard helps send their fellow veterans to final rest
The heat of the stuffy May day is starting to gather outside of Rieth-Rohrer Funeral Home in downtown Goshen recently as members of the VFW Post 985 Honor Guard begin to shuffle inside.
-
Duty changes with birth of LaGrange soldier's son
Usually when people think of American veterans they think of men in uniform. More often today, than in yesteryear, the veteran is a woman. In tune with the times, the military has made accommodations for this increase in female recruits.
-
Fairfield graduates ready for the next step
Fairfield High School held its 44th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 145 diplomas.
-
Westview seniors graduate Friday night
Westview High School held its 46th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 97 diplomas.
-
RV shipments up in April
Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose 9.8 percent in April compared to the same month in 2011.
-
UPDATE: Police release names of two killed in Bristol motorcycle crash
Two Elkhart residents were killed Friday night when the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Ind. 15 as they fled police.
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
-
Rinker Foundation donates $5,000 for new ‘learning’ toys
SYRACUSE — The kids are happy. The teachers are excited. The director is pleased. Best of all, at Lakeland Learning Center is using new educational toys to prepare preschoolers to hit the ground running in kindergarten.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
