A Convocation to Remember
In his first visit back to campus since graduating, Distinguished Alumnus Michael Puett '82 challenges seniors to embrace the future.
Michael Puett, Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, spent time in USN classrooms visiting both Chinese and Comparative Religion classes. He also delivered a talk to local secondary and university educators about the importance of and future of Chinese language instruction.
It was his address to seniors at Convocation, however, that really set the tone for his visit. He avoided the easy speech and exhorted seniors to step-up to the challenges of an extraordinary role they will play in world history.
In his vision of the altered world the seniors are inheriting from the older generation, it is uncertain whether the Western view of the world will prevail. It was a bold challenge to the students and they rose to the occasion. After his remarks, the students tossed away the questions they had prepared to ask Professor Puett. Instead they probed further about China and what he thinks the future might hold.
You can view his remarks and the questions from seniors in the attached videos.
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It was his address to seniors at Convocation, however, that really set the tone for his visit. He avoided the easy speech and exhorted seniors to step-up to the challenges of an extraordinary role they will play in world history.
In his vision of the altered world the seniors are inheriting from the older generation, it is uncertain whether the Western view of the world will prevail. It was a bold challenge to the students and they rose to the occasion. After his remarks, the students tossed away the questions they had prepared to ask Professor Puett. Instead they probed further about China and what he thinks the future might hold.
You can view his remarks and the questions from seniors in the attached videos.
