University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley, who has spent three decades in higher education, stood before 5,000 graduates, family members, friends and faculty and said he never planned to go to college. UMW’s 105th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 7, marked Hurley’s final opportunity to celebrate graduating seniors. He will retire in June.
In his commencement address, Hurley said, “My main goal in high school was simply to graduate — and my highest achievement, probably, was appearing as a dancer on American Bandstand.”
Growing up in a blue collar New Jersey family who did not value higher education, Hurley followed the career path of his father, grandfather and uncles: working at the local DuPont plant immediately after high school graduation. He later joined the Army, serving 14 months in the height of the war in Vietnam. At age 25, Hurley found himself pumping gas on the NJ Turnpike to support his wife and young child.
“One cold, rainy day in November, when my hands were so numb it took both of them to pry off gas caps, I decided that there must be something better to do with my life — and so, at that very moment, I made the decision that I was somehow going to college,” Hurley said.
He not only graduated from college, he earned a master’s degree, then began a 30-year-career in higher education, 16 years at UMW, six as the University’s president.
“When I speak of the transformative power of education–the privilege that I was given to lead this great institution, and the support I have received in doing so from students, faculty and fellow administrators, board members, and above all from Rose, my wife of 46 years—these are things that I will never forget and will forever cherish.”
Hurley told graduates he was honored to celebrate their achievements, and he described his upcoming retirement from UMW as bittersweet.
“If you take your emotions today and quadruple them, you’ll have some idea how I feel at this moment,” he said.
He imparted practical guidelines for their daily lives: always be ready for opportunity, work hard to find solutions, be decisive but not impulsive, be humble about successes and treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their background.
“But beyond these practical considerations, I urge you to employ the lessons of your education at Mary Washington in a way that will focus not merely on self but on society, not merely on personal pleasure but on public purpose, and that your goal always be not merely to make a dollar, but to make a difference.”
Hurley issued a challenge to the graduates, whom he described as beneficiaries of a broad education that combines technical and professional skills with a grounding in the liberal arts and sciences tradition.
“Your knowledge base will let you understand complex and difficult problems—placing contemporary issues within a broader societal context,” said Hurley. “Your commitment to the principles of honor and personal integrity will provide the basis for better evaluating the ethical and moral dimensions of actions, both public and private. Your analytical skills will allow you to weigh evidence and arrive at balanced judgments among competing points of view. Your communication skills will allow you to influence the opinions of others.”
Said Hurley: “It is not I who place this burden: It is the burden of history — and that is the duty — to make sure the blessings bequeathed to us by generations past will be preserved for generations to come.”
He concluded his remarks with a salute to the Mary Washington alma mater.
“’So here’s to Mary Washington, our love with never die,’” said Hurley. “Neither will mine.”
View the commencement address in the ceremony video on YouTube.
Ruth Lovelace says
What a pleasure it has been to work for a man so dedicated to the purpose of making this world a better place. Thank you both, Mr. and Mrs. Hurley for allowing me to understand the greater good of humanity for all to share. You have mixed both pleasure and professionalism as I have served through your guidance at MWC/UMW. Please enjoy yourself and remember to look back at the memories and relationships you’ve made while allowing us to call you both “friends”. To miss you would only be a selfish statement on my part, you have guided us through tough times and kept us on course and for that I thank you!…….Enjoy your “special” time in retirement.
Elsa Murphy says
My sincere congratulations to President Hurley. I have known Rick almost my whole life. He is an inspiration to all. His words of wisdom will be forever cherished. God Bless him on his future endeavors.