elcome to the 77th baccalaureate commencement at Holy Names University.

Jewish mystics say that God creates human beings because God loves stories. Even God does not know how we are going to turn out. You are the soon-to-be Class of 2003-each one a sacred, powerful, and unfinished story.

You are from Argentina, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Nicaragua, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and California.

The oldest is 76 and the youngest is 20.

You are the Business and Communications major from Seattle, Washington, with a 3.8 GPA over whom law schools are competing.

You are the Liberal Studies and Sociology double major with a 3.9 GPA who is working in the Education and Conservation Department at the Oakland Zoo and whose mother recently entered the Benedictine Order of nuns.

You are the Court Liaison Officer for the Oakland Police Department majoring in Religious Studies who is writing a book with the former police chief on ethics in police work.

You are the Business Management and Communications major who captained the men's basketball team, ranks in the HNU top 10 all-time lists for steals, assists, and points scored, was voted Outstanding Men's Athlete for 2003 and will be running the family business.

You are the Liberal Studies major from Nicaragua whose dream is to teach high school and use your native Spanish in the classroom. In February 2003, you were featured in The Oakland Tribune for being awarded a Project Pathways grant that will support your study for a credential and Master's degree in Education at Holy Names University.

You are the Music major with a concentration in piano whose piano pedagogy is already renowned and 25 students are vying for private lessons from you.

You are the English and Communications major who is both a star on the winning men's basketball team and a star poet.

You are the Biology major with a 3.4 GPA who performed in the Drama Club's production of "Twelve Angry Wo/Men," was named NAIA Academic All American Soccer Player for 2002-2003 and will be stationed in Texas with the Marines.

You're the Director of the Berkeley Academy of Music graduating today at Holy Names University with a Master's in Music with an emphasis in pedagogy.

You are the Liberal Studies major whose grandmother is here today celebrating with you at age 103.

Each of you is amazing. Like God, we have no idea how your stories will turn out.

Recently, we were made aware of the shocking and inspiring story of Aron Ralston, a 27-year-old mechanical engineer turned mountain climber, who after being pinned under an 800-pound boulder for five days, amputated his own arm. In recounting his experience, he said that at one moment he felt such a powerful surge within him for life that death never became an option. "The source of the power I felt," he said, "was the thoughts and prayers of many people, most of whom I will never know."

As you begin the next chapter of your story remember this one message-you are part of this sacred institution forever and the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Holy Names University-most of whom you will not know-will always be with you inspiring a passion and a power within you that, no matter what the circumstance, death will never become an option, you will have the courage, the insight, the creativity, the confidence to always choose life.