Eissler Addresses May 12 Commencement Exercises

Rob Eissler
Commencement Address
Sam Houston State University
May 12, 2007
10 a. m.
2 p. m.
(Rob Eissler biographical information)

Representative Rob Eissler

Time is the one constant in our lives that is the same for each of us.   How we spend it is up to us.   The point in time where we stand today is marked by a diploma--a well-earned piece of paper that symbolizes both the struggles and the triumphs of the journey each of   you has taken to arrive together here.

We are all here together--as one graduating class. Sure, there are differences: class rank, test scores, grades, natural ability, stories of successes and failures.   The Bible tells us that we shall reap what we sow; how we spend our time will determine how successful we will be.

Where do we spend our time?   A recent management consulting firm study shows that in the average life span the average person spends:

         7 years in the bathroom

         6 years eating

         5 years waiting in line

         4 years cleaning the house

         3 years in meetings

         2 years calling people who were not home

         1 year searching for lost items

         8 months opening junk mail

         6 months sitting at red lights

But what about the Sam Houston State University graduating class of 2007?   How have you spent your years here?

Chase Neal: spent time improving his grade point average from Texas A&M - "an appalling GPA of 1.5. At Blinn College the GPA was raised to 2.05."   Chase's philosophy - "What I lacked in intelligence, I could make up for by working harder than others."   Today, Chase will graduate with a degree in accounting.   His time here is his success.

One student: spent time at Sam Houston State University being homesick for his native country of Kenya. "It is difficult to imagine how fast time flies," but six years later, here he is ready to receive a bachelor's in Management Information Systems.

Erin Pratt: learned that people, places and times can change.   She lost a teammate, sorority sister and best friend while here at Sam Houston State.   There were times when it was difficult to live with memories, times when she doubted herself and wanted to give up.   With the encouragement and support of family and friends - she is a proud graduate today.

Another student: spent six years working in her country of Sri Lanka to fund her education here in the United States.   Sam Houston State University not only accepted her, but gave her a partial scholarship.   Within two years the hard work has paid off.   It has paid off   with a GPA of 4.0 and an acceptance to Virginia Tech for doctoral studies in plant pathology.

And still another student:   spent seven years here. Changing majors, transferring universities, and a vehicle accident - made those times tough - and at times she thought she would not be able to make it to today with a BS in chemistry.

(2 p.m. Ceremony)

Kristi Brown : has spent time in her life dealing with losing both parents to cancer.   She spent time healing   - her sophomore year was the catalyst that sparked a landslide of involvement - joining the women's lacrosse team, a sorority and many other student organizations.   Kristi graduates today from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences confident and grateful for her time spent at Sam Houston State University.

Justin Berry: s pent his time here working - weekends, spring breaks, summer breaks, Christmas breaks - were not breaks for Justin.   At one time he had three jobs to help pay off a debt he accumulated through a bad habit.   The work paid off with a promotion - pay raise and the debts were paid in full.   Justin has spent his time here earning    - - - more than a degree in criminal justice.

Alison Cates: has spent her years here - wanting to quit!   She had been smart in high school.   She knew everything about being a scholar, responsibilities, and relationships.   College "knocked me on my behind." Working and going to school was a challenge and she wanted to quit both.   But she didn't and she is here today with her family and her graduating class.

Albert Jimenez: spent his time facing trials and tribulations.   His girlfriend dropped out of college because of a drug problem, a close friend died in a car accident and there were family problems.   One day Albert's truck hydroplaned and smashed into a road sign - but he was alive - and he turned his life around. This semester he is completing 21 credit hours and is close to a 4.0.   We don't have to wonder how Albert has spent his time.

Anonymous: is here today and I am sure represents many of you - the first person in the family to graduate from college.   The degree you receive today is not just for you - but for the whole family.   The family has taken time to contribute to some lesson learned or has taken time to give a bit of advice that has made you a college graduate.   When it is your time to walk across the stage - you will be walking for them all.

So - you see - we all spend our time in different ways.   Sometimes too much on one activity and not enough on another.   We get the same amount of time each day - 24 hours (actually 23 hours and 56 minutes) - it is easy to lose track of it - as well as our goals and priorities.

As you move into the next phase of your life, think about the time you've spent and what's ahead, but may I suggest that whatever you pursue - new careers, post graduate education, marriage - consider how you spend your time.   And what else is there to life?

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening the bank deletes whatever part to the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?

Draw out every cent, of course!!!!   Each of us has such a bank.   Its name is TIME.   Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.   Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest in a good purpose.   It carries over no balance.   It allows no overdraft.

Each day it opens a new account for you.   Each night it burns the remains of the day.  

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.   There is no going back.   There is no drawing against tomorrow.   You must live in the present - -   on today's deposits.  

Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

The clock is running - Make the most of the day.

To realize the value of One Year - ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of One Month - ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of One Week - ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of One Hour - ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of One Minute - ask a person who missed a train.

To realize the value of One Second - ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of One Millisecond - ask a person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have!   And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special - special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history - Tomorrow is mystery - Today is a gift.   That's why it's called the present.

Congratulations to the Class of 2007.   God bless you all.

—END—

SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
May 14, 2007
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