Cal Poly Alumni Dinner Speech

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Greetings everyone.

When I was asked by George to come and speak I was honored. He asked me to speak to you about ambition. Everything I do is so deeply rooted in the subject that I figured whatever I spoke about would contain the essence of it.

I mulled over the subject and I decided the best way to illustrate my experience was to relate to you a story.

You've all heard of the ancient israelites 40 year plight in the desert. Similarly, I was thrown into the desert for an undetermined amount of time. My task was to get software that I collaborated in writing at arguably one of the largest institutions in the country. I showed up purely based off of faith and the hope that I could tackle this lofty task. On day 1, I was the only person I knew in the whole IT department let alone the whole state. I was introduced to everyone on the team that I would now be working with. I went into the introduction with an open mind and warm heart. Over the years I've learned to appreciate people of all temperaments, talents and convictions.

At the end of each day I would go to my new home one of my bosses properties some 40 miles outside the city. It was extremely lonely at first but I wouldn't trade that time of introspection for anything. After some time of making this commute back to an empty house I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and start making the best of the situation. I began to draw on everything I've ever learned from my family, my Christian faith, and Sigma Chi. I evaluated, set goals, and strategized how I would make the best of my time in the desert. Abe Lincoln once said that “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday”. Committing myself to constant improvement is one of the core values of my personal mission statement. It was the means by which I would walk away from this experience having gained something.

I found out that two alumni from this chapter lived in the area. I got ahold them and we immediately took our fair weather friendship to the bond of brothers. Every other week we met for sushi and cigars. Those similar values that we shared allowed us to all gain that immediate acceptance.

At the time I was reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I was intrigued by the fact that he was a group mogul. He joined and started every group available. He started the first public library, the first fire department, and obviously our own nation. I went on to do the same . . . well join several groups that is. I joined the fraternity alumni chapter. I joined a church and began running the video portion of the service. I even attempted to join the volunteer fire department.

The progress of the implementation began to resemble a roller coaster. I would make a huge break through one day and be greeted by the entire staff mutanizing against my idea the next. Instead of reacting to every single dip in the road I stayed constant and acted based on the foundation I spoke of previously. If someone stabbed me in the back, I would still say hi to them the next day because I smile and greet everyone everyday.

My best of friends came out to visit me. Most of them are in this room right now. We hit the bars outside the university. We visited the local Sigma Chi house and were shown the hospitality I was shown when I first showed up on their doorstep. We went to the super bowl and tailgated in the freezing cold. And a little farther away camped at the grand canyon and became closer than we ever have been. We made memories that I wouldn't trade for any amount of money or any other opportunity cost.

Back at work I was now several months into my journey I began to figure out the dynamics of the institution and more specifically the team with whom I worked. They were seen as the youngest and most talented of the groups in the organization. These two factors also lead them to be the most controversial. This didn't affect my view or treatment of them because this was my team. I was taught by my best friends growing up that you don't ever leave any man behind.

I did everything with my new work friends:. I did a triathalon in Mexico, A news televised urban idiotarod, 2 year old birthday parties, all nighters at the bars, leans on shoulders, debates over faith, Baby's births, and finally good byes to all my friends first and co-workers second.

My loneliness turned to busyness in the instance of a spiritual awakening and a conscious decision to use all that I've learned to not be the effect of a situation but instead affect my situation.

You ask how this relates to you as a rushee and future brother. Or as a fraternity man, husband, sister or friend. Each time you heard these men snap tonight was a time my journey contained a value of sigma chi. What would my destination look like with out these snaps? I wouldn't even be speaking to you tonight.

Thank you again for this opportunity to speak to you tonight and I look forward to greeting you as brothers.

Labels: Literature