Wilson’s speech fell short: Commencement speech was sincere, but it lacked scope

On Sunday, Kenan Stadium witnessed the spring commencement and graduation of UNC’s class of 2011.

Amid the clouds and looming rainfall, commencement speaker E.O. Wilson delivered an address which closely mimicked the unsettling weather.

Upon choosing Wilson, the commencement speaker selection committee was met with great skepticism. Wilson lacked the fame of John Grisham and the power of Desmond Tutu, but the student body was assured by the committee that Wilson would deliver.

Wilson’s speech missed the mark in terms of what graduating classes are accustomed to hearing.

While we can respect a commencement address which strays from the beaten path, such doom and gloom has little place in a commencement speech.

Wilson stressed the importance of maintaining biodiversity in an age when the extinction rate is extravagantly higher than it has ever been before.

Towards the end of his address, Wilson called America a faltering nation and urged UNC graduates to carry the environmental torch forward into the future.

As a man of the South, Wilson seemed glad to be back home, among the pine trees and the multitude of insects which made him famous. His address was not completely dominated by gloom as he also seemed genuinely confident in the abilities of the graduating class to make an dynamic impact on the world.

America, however, is far from a faltering nation, and most educated students already realize the importance of the natural world and the role that its livelihood has in modern society.

Wilson views modern society as egocentric and advocates a return to environmentally conscious decision-making.

These sentiments are important and valid, yet they are already widely echoed. Why should the class of 2011 have been subject yet again to more rhetoric centered around environmentally-conscious decision making?

After having spent the past four years becoming accustomed to the growing importance of biodiversity and sustainability, we can scarcely believe that another speech about the environment was exactly what the senior class desired.

Infinite possibilities are laid before the graduating class, and their time spent at UNC has granted them tools to make the most of these possibilities. So it comes as little surprise when seniors voice discontentment over the fact that Wilson’s speech fell short of what they hoped for.

Maintaining the livelihood of the natural world is of utmost importance, as is contributing to the growth and prosperity of America as a nation. Both of these sentiments were well expressed by Wilson in his commencement address.

Where Wilson’s speech fell short was its failure to acknowledge the possibilities afforded to each and every graduating student and the importance of pursuing endeavors which will bring them the most fulfillment.