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Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 20:42:42 GMTServer: NCSA/1.4.2Content-type: text/htmlLast-modified: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 22:45:53 GMTContent-length: 7080<html><head><title>Valedictorian's Address</title></head><body>Madam Chancellor, members of convocation, ladies and gentlemen,fellow graduates:<p>An incredible journey which we undertook years ago is finally comingto an end. We're at that point on the roller coaster where the ride isover, and you're sliding into the station. It's time to relax your deathgrip on the safety bar, attempt to regain your composure, and celebrate.It's time to contemplate the magnitude of the achievement that allows usto call ourselves the Class of 1996. For somehow, after tremendousinvestments of time and money, after sleepless nights, after noblebrain cells that gave their lives in the line of duty, we have convergedhere, today, to be honoured and recognized for what we have become.In the next few minutes, I would like to describe my view of the journeywe've taken, and point out all those who helped along the way.<p><center><p> * * *<p></center>Most of us came to Waterloo because of an appreciation of, or perhapsan infatuation with mathematics. Others, who grew up with the Commodore 64 or the Apple II, came because computers were endlessly fascinating.Although I adored my 64, I came to Waterloo for the mathematics. Forme, math has always been like a toy that's constantly new. Every day itfeels like you're ripping off the wrapping paper for the first time.And there's math, like the world's largest Lego set. Infinitely subtle,infinitely varied, just pick a direction, and follow it as far as yourimagination will take you. That direction led to Waterloo.<p>After a short while at Waterloo, immersed in mathematics like never before, I came to a startling realization. Math was magic. A jargonI could not understand was used to summon these remarkable creatures called 'Theorems'. Theorems came in all shapes and sizes, too. Lesser Theorems were known as 'Propositions'. Some Theorems kept familiars called 'Lemmas'. And this magic could not be harnessed by the likes of me. I was far too clumsy and naive. But I longed to understand and control mathematics. I knew that if I looked hard enough, I would see right through the magic to the ordered structure underneath. And thus I became determined to uncover the process through which mathematics becomes magic.<p>That period of awe marked the beginning of the long journey that hasbrought us all here. Much has happened along the way, events and experiences which shaped us and infused us with the spirit of math atWaterloo. Personally, I developed a love for computer science, and a predilection for card games. I deleveoped a soft spot for self-referenceand a taste for institutional food. We've all absorbed the majority ofthe Greek alphabet by osmosis. It was only in my last term here that Ifinally learned how to write a zeta! Many of us learned that the air conditioners in the computer labs shut down at 11:00pm. Some of us also learned that they reactivate at 6:30am. There were parties, some wild, some not so wild. There was Oktoberfest and Canada Day, the Bombshelter and Fed Hall. And the Comfy Lounge. And work terms! And thirteen moving days! And even, occasionally, lectures! And, finally, this!<p><center><p> * * *<p></center>It goes without saying that none of us could have done it alone. Each of us relied on the guidance and support of many others to make it this far. Those people should be recognized for their contributions towardsour achievement. <p>The group that held the most explicit power over our destinies is certainly the faculty. Fortunately for us, our faculty is outstanding.Oh, sure, some profs will make life difficult for you, but I considerthat to be the exception, and it's only for four months, right? WhenI think of the professors I've had, I think of people who bent overbackwards for us, who made every possible allowance to see us comethrough intact. I think of people who went way beyond the call of dutyto bring us the education that we wanted to have. Without their support,we couldn't have made it.<p>The co-op students among us will certainly recognize the importance our employers have had in our undergraduate careers. Work terms provided a contextfor knowledge acquired in lectures, and helped to solidify that knowledgein preparation for coming school terms. Work terms also provided muchneeded funds, and an endless supply of t-shirts.<p>The ones most responsible for our well being, on the other hand, were our friends and fellow students. They're the ones who made the dailygrind of university life tolerable. Right from my first day at Waterloo, I have formed friendships that I can only hope will last a lifetime. You have all been so wonderful. And with all the incredible talent and achievementin the Class of 1996, I'm proud to call so many of you friends.<p>Finally, and maybe most importantly of all, we cannot forget our families.Whether near or far geographically, their fundamental influence on our lives will always be felt. Thank you to all the families who came today tobear witness to our accomplishments. My own family is here today from Montreal.They were always supportive of me throughout my time here. Yes, I can stillrecall my father's gentle words of encouragement: "NO AMBITION! You're onlygoing to do a double major in Pure Math and CS? That's what everybody's doingthese days!"<p>Seriously though, if there's one thing that has led me to success more than anything else, it is what I have learned from my parents. They taught me that I should follow my pursuits with tenacity, and with the thrill of the chase. They taught me that every avenue left unexplored is an opportunity lost forever. They taught me that with a little determination, I can do anythingand be anyone I want.<p><center><p> * * *<p></center>Now that the journey is almost over, you may wonder what became of my mission.Did I manage to locate the order and structure beneath the magical outer layerof mathematics? Well, after five years of careful observation, I am pleasedto report that mathematics is still total magic. Underneath all the jargon,all the neat covering of tracks, all the <em>perceived</em> magic, there lurks the <em>real</em> magic, the true soul of mathematics, forever only visible in the minutest of cross sections. Math is difficult. It takes patience to do it right. But when you're tackling that hard problem, and inspiration hits, and all the pieces fall into place, HUZZAH! That's the kind of magic I'm talking about, and that's what makes it all worthwhile.<p>This journey is over. Now the fun part, the future, begins. Class of 1996,shared a great deal. But remember one thing, my friends. The single mostimportant thing we shared is the spirit of mathematics at Waterloo. And wherever your future may lead, remember to always take that spirit with you.<p></body></html>⌨️ 快捷键说明
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