While many university graduation ceremonies in the United States faced challenges and disruptions due to widespread protests over the ongoing Middle East crisis, one commencement program gained global media attention for another reason.
At the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, their speaker, according to FOX business, urged members of Class 2924 “not to let failure define them”.
The speaker, Robert Hale Jr., founder of Granite Telecommunications, using his own life experience, urged students to be persevering and not allow failure to define them as he recounted how he was losing $1 billion nearly overnight.
Hale is reportedly part owner of the Boston Celtics and has a net worth of $5.4 billion.
He also underscored that because these are trying times, the need for sharing, caring and giving has been heightened as he told the graduating students, “Our community needs you and your generosity more than ever.”
He later added that his greatest joy in life has been the gift of giving.
The admission, however, did stir a surprise – and attracted media attention – as he gave everyone among the 1,200 graduates $1,000 dollars in two envelopes, each with $500.
One is a “gift” for the graduate to keep and the other has a condition: to be given to “someone in need or a charity or cause” close to the graduating student.
Words turned into action, indeed.
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A global event observed on May 25 brings back to mind my early university days when I was introduced to the game of football in our Physical Education Class.
There was a particular great interest and huge following of the sport on campus as the university has long been known for its top-caliber soccer varsity program.
Coming from a non-football-oriented community then, I was thrilled by the novelty of the game. My university buddies and I always looked forward to our P.E. football lessons, which gave us sheer enjoyment even when we played under heavy rain and muddied field.
The May 25 event is the annual World Football Day, which is observed for the first time in 2024.
The observance was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly just on May 7 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions. That tournament took place on May 1924 at the Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, France.
Football is considered as the most popular sports in the world today with its estimated 4 billion global fans. Best Diplomats, an international organization, says its massive appeal is attributed to its “passion, rivalries and drama” which traverses beyond the barriers if culture, language and even politics.
The UN recognition of the sporting milestone is contained in the GA Resolution A/RES/78/281. The resolution “acknowledges the global reach of football and its impact in various spheres, including commerce, peace and diplomacy, and recognizing that football creates a space for cooperation.”
It also recognizes “the fundamental role” of Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and the important role of regional and national soccer federations, as well as relevant associations, in promoting the game of football.
UN further said: “Sports promote values, and football, being the world’s most popular sport, has immense potential to promote peace, achieve Sustainable Development Goals, and uphold universal values.
“Sports have been instrumental in promoting peace globally and have played a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Football, as a prominent global sport, holds a unique position.
“Beyond mere recreation, it is a universal language spoken by people of all ages, transcending national, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries.”
Happy observance to all football friends, especially those who have committed their lives not only in playing the game but also in engaging in its promotion and development.
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And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16) | NWI
