Imitatios-Alexander the Great Speech

Katherine Lee 11106264

English 360, Section 1

September 22, 2011

Imitatios

I will venture a guess that a majority of you within this class will be at a crossroads in your life soon. Your undergraduate education will be coming to an end, and you must consider your post-graduation plans with great care. Will you, my fellow classmates, be joining me in the fight for the continuation of academic excellence by attending graduate school?

The process of deciding to attend graduate school is life changing in an infinite number of ways. Though I can understand the uncertainty that comes with the prospect of graduate school, it very well could be the best decision of your lives. Although filled with economic strife and various political issues, this nation is filled with opportunities for success. We must seize and strive for this great and esteemed level of education after our time here at this particular university. You have conquered the admissions process and the rigorousness of your first years as an undergraduate student. You have strived for the best possible for yourself, and all of the obstacles that have come your way have contributed to your overall experience at this university. Let me remind you: you have made it to this point in your lives, and have every opportunity and capability to continue to strive for more. I employ you to seek reason: do not just settle for a mindless job as soon as you graduate from here. Live by your dreams and your passions, because the possibilities for you truly are endless. With a post-undergraduate degree, your higher level of education will further your knowledge on something you are truly passionate about, open the door to more career choices, and secure your chance at higher economic stability, setting you apart from those who do not continue onto graduate school. And, with the current economic standing of this nation and the lack of available jobs, why wouldn’t you want to pursue a higher degree, rather than merely settling for something right after you graduate from Washington State University? This opportunity is yours for the taking! Those who won’t take advantage will weep at the advantages that you will reap from furthering your education, should you choose to continue on in the world of academia.

For, a driven person is one who strives for the highest level of intellect. Such action is the most rewarding. However, if you choose not to partake in this particular endeavor, you only limit and hinder your potential and worth in your time here in this world. It is, without a doubt, that America, the land of the free, is a great and strong nation.  To be able to pursue such a high level of education makes you a worthy and intellectually strong and stimulated being within this nation, a nation that is revered for Her bountiful opportunity and glory.

Our forefathers before us would not have wanted us to pass upon our chance at greatness. We must find our own inner strength. Furthering our education is, after all, an act of courage and mental strength. The greatest leaders within this nation would not have gotten to where they are, today, had they not pursued their educational excellence. Are you aware, that the doctors who have saved millions of lives, the lawyers that have defended the goodwill of this nation, and the like of equally esteemed career fields, did not end their pathways to success and greatness straight upon their completion of their undergraduate studies? Many before us have made the conscious decision to make a difference amongst those who lack the tenacity to become great like them. Those who have truly strengthened the foundation and backbone of this nation chose to persevere on with their educational studies, and have ultimately contributed to the overall betterment of America. I encourage you to not shy away from the greatness that stands before you.

I cannot force you to commit to graduate school. However, those who do not partake in the pursuit of furthering their educational journeys will be mere shadows in the presence of greatness, which each of you have the opportunity to achieve. I do not blame you for wanting to progress forward in the working world, but I am merely encouraging you to examine the benefits that would surely come of graduate school. I encourage you, my fellow classmates, to put yourself to the true test in your pursuit towards greatness.