William Huynh
Philosophy
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

I want to invite you to reflect back upon our four years of the Carleton liberal arts experience through the eyes of this community. To do so we must remember that the fine Carleton institution begins with the community - our community.

To that end, I want to consider a phenomenon that I have observed among our community members - something I call the Carleton intentionality. The essence of this trait exhibits a rare and invaluable process reveling Aristotelian eudemonia - the human flourishing that began from within - of course Carleton intentionality was nurtured and brought to ripe fruit not only within our hallowed Olin, Laird, and Leighton halls, but in the late night dormitory talks, and the out of classroom experiences as well. This, my understanding of the Carleton essence, can be confirmed by my potpourri approach to philosophy - a confluence of human studies, where we tied the liberal arts together into our souls. I tie my notion of Carleton intentionality to a precept from biology - ecology in particular - to introduce what I call intentional community dynamics - an exhibition of the eudemonia within our community, for each other.

Now the Carleton intentionality is something that is rare, to be treasured, and only cultivated in situ while in residence at Carleton - perhaps there is something underneath it all. Only in situ - yet it retains its confounding influence upon our lives soon after we take it up - our freshmen year. It is a trait that we value dearly, altogether take for granted, yet although it is only through each other that have we obtained it. Its not merely quirkiness - although its something we all share. I think we go beyond that description - we are conscious of each other.

Looking back four years, something that has stuck with me - our first convocation with Rob Oden. “Admissions does not make a mistake in accepting a student to Carleton college,” he said. “You all belong here.” And sure enough, four years of the Carleton community provided something for each of us - even as freshmen, and yet to come as alums, we continue to have purpose and design in the life of the college. I affirm we made the right choice in coming to Carleton, because surely we feel that we are leaving home for the last time, once again.

So maybe there's something more that made Carleton so amazing, ridiculous, and stimulating - sometimes I wonder what strengths and controls made this possible - to produce some of the finest scholars, professionals, and world citizens that Carleton College has come to stand for. And I have come, as to the conclusion that President Oden made, that humor is our lifeblood.

This is because when Carleton students assemble, together and they create such a bright fusion that all can see as throughout the entire world. This is because our participation goes so far as to participate in each other's lives there is nothing more you can ask a Carleton student, demonstrate.

It is this intentional community dynamics, this intentional sharing of each other's lives, that we transcend all thresholds and barriers, while at Carleton, when we leave Carleton, and that we remember when we reunite as alums at Carleton. This is why we continue in the Carleton spirit long after we leave—its surely like leaving home again for the last time - a recapitulation of our leaving home for Carleton four years ago. Now it is Carleton’s turn to send us off with our mortarboards into the wild blue yonder. We leave with the Carleton intentionality in hand.

This is why it does not commensurate in nor does it even express my understatement, the value of every single person in our Carleton community. Together we have fulfilled the seal of Carleton College - we are to be a light unto each other and burn a light for the world. And we are blessed to have each other. For that I thank you, friends and alma mater.