Reading a poem during the 2024 Drury University commencement

Hi everyone,

At president JOHN BEUERLEIN’s invitation, on May 11 it was my pleasure to read a poem I wrote to honor the 2024 graduating class of Drury University. The occasion was made even more auspicious because this group of 450 graduated during Drury’s 150-year anniversary. Former senator ROY BLUNT gave the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service. The event took place in the O’Reilly Family Event Center, which holds 3,160 for concerts. The last time I was there was for a Willie Nelson concert. Not every seat was full for commencement but I’d guess there were 2,300 or so.

My poem was in the program so I think it’s okay to print it here.

This Poem Is for You
By David L. Harrison

One hundred fifty years from when
a borrowed bell summoned
Drury’s first students,
the hopes of that time
graduate anew with you today.
You are historical.
That alone is worth a poem.

It takes courage to face the unknown,
to dare to set out on a journey alone,
discover hard truths about who you are,
earn the audacity that grants permission to dream.
Today you are the boundary
between past and future.
Your own journey begins
when you step out of this poem
and through those doors.

You’ll draw strength, when you need it,
from memories of nights
when you thought you couldn’t do it,
but somehow did;
memories of professors
who challenged you, dared you.
They have earned a place in your poem.

When you are old, and need new knees,
friends you made here
will need new knees, too,
and they will still love you,
and you will become fond of saying,
“Remember that time when…?”

This moment will not come again,
with the ink scarcely dry
on the beginning of the rest of your lives.
You’ve learned how to go about learning,
learned how to make some pieces fit.
It’s alchemy time, when dreams transform into reality.
And you, our talented new graduates,
are definitely worthy of a poem.