Penn State Behrend's Fall 2024 Commencement was held Friday, December 20, at Junker Center.
Graduates and their guests heard addresses by Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned, associate teaching professor of political science, and Mr. Matthew Totzke, president and CEO of Big Ideas Learning, a Larson Texts Company. The texts of the commencement addresses are below.
See the Fall 2024 Commencement Program
A Sparrow, a Cow, and a Cat: A Bit of Ukrainian Folk Wisdom
Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned
Good evening, graduates, families, faculty, and friends,
Thank you for that kind introduction.
Today, we gather to celebrate not just an academic milestone but the culmination of years of dedication, growth, and achievement. This is your day, Class of 2024, and you have every reason to feel immense pride in what you’ve accomplished. I am deeply honored to share this evening with you—and more than a little nervous.
When I was asked to make this address, I spent a few sleepless nights wondering what I could possibly say to you before you step into the wider world beyond Behrend. I searched my stores of knowledge in political science and political theory, sifting through ideas from Plato to NATO.
And then, I remembered my late father—a teacher, an avid student of Ukrainian history and folklore, and the most influential philosopher in my life. Whenever I needed advice, he rarely gave me direct answers. Instead, he told stories. A tall tale, a fable, something with a lesson tucked inside a pungent punchline. So tonight, I want to share with you one such story that has helped me weather a few storms of my own.
On a cold winter day, a little sparrow froze nearly to death and fell into a snowdrift by the side of the road. Shortly after, a farmer walked by with his cow. Unbeknownst to herself, the cow defecated right where the frozen sparrow lay. Surrounded by the warm substance, the sparrow revived, poked its head out, and chirped cheerfully, celebrating its deliverance. A hungry cat heard the sparrow and promptly snatched it from its gooey refuge.
Here’s the moral: Not everyone who dumps on you is your enemy. Not everyone who pulls you out is your friend. And if you manage to get out on your own, don’t chirp too loudly.
The truth is, in life, “it” happens. You know, that “it.” No one escapes it. From small annoyances to full-blown “it” storms, it’s inevitable. But what matters most is how we deal with challenges—and whether we can recognize the opportunities hidden within them.
Your time here has been marked by extraordinary circumstances—from the disruptions of a global pandemic to snowmageddons, from personal trials to the demands of “difficult” professors. Through it all, you’ve shown resilience, adaptability, and determination. You’ve learned how to turn challenges into lessons and setbacks into growth.
As you leave here tonight, you step into a world as unpredictable as it is full of potential. Like the sparrow in the story, you will encounter moments of uncertainty and challenges that feel overwhelming. But the lessons you’ve learned here—both in and out of the classroom—have prepared you to face them with wisdom and strength.
As a political scientist, I can tell you that the “arc of history that bends toward progress” is rarely straightforward. Democracies backslide. Dictatorships endure. Reforms falter. Yet, crises spark innovation. Failures build resilience. And obstacles, no matter how daunting, can lead to unexpected opportunities that bring change.
As you prepare to take your next steps, remember these three lessons:
First, practice discernment.
Not everyone who offers help will guide you wisely, and not every problem is as dire as it seems. Approach challenges with both an open mind and a critical eye. Seek deeper truths, weigh your choices carefully, and be cautious of easy solutions to complex issues.
Second, remain humble and adaptable.
The sparrow chirped too soon. Life is full of moments worth celebrating, but timing and context matter. Stay curious, keep learning, and embrace the complexities of the world with grace and humility.
Finally, cultivate resilience and gratitude.
Challenges are not just tests of your endurance—they are opportunities for growth. And when you overcome them, take time to appreciate those who have supported you along the way: your family, your friends, your professors, and yes, maybe even a few cows in disguise.
Class of 2024, the world you are entering will undoubtedly have its share of “it.” But I have no doubt that you are ready. You have the knowledge, the skills, and most importantly, the character to face whatever comes your way.
So as you leave here tonight, remember my little sparrow. Remember that life’s twists and turns—whether they seem like gifts or challenges—often hold the greatest opportunities for growth. And above all, remember that you are never alone on this journey.
Congratulations, Class of 2024. I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say how proud we are of you. And for my part, I cannot wait to see the extraordinary things you will accomplish.
Thank you, and good luck.
Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned is an associate professor of political science and associate director of the Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend.
Opportunity + Courage = Impact
Matthew Totzke
Thank you, Chancellor Ford, for the wonderful introduction.
Good evening, graduates, esteemed faculty, families, and guests.
Graduates, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. You’ve accomplished a significant milestone in your life and are about to embark on an exciting journey. It is an honor and a privilege to be sharing my thoughts with you.
Before I begin, I want to recognize the people in our lives who helped us reach this moment. Many of our family and friends who made tonight possible are here. Please thank them with a round of applause.
Behrend’s faculty and staff are the most caring and supportive group that we could hope to find in our academic careers. They deserve their own round of applause.
The Vision of a Behrend Graduate opens with the following:
“Behrend has a history and future of developing thinkers, creators, and innovators who build opportunities out of challenges, competence out of curiosity, and proficiency out of potential.”
This vision was not yet written when I was a Behrend graduate sitting in a seat much like yours almost 30 years ago. But I think it has something to do with why I was asked to share my thoughts.
My hope is that by the time I’m done you will see that I am not special, or rather, that you also have the potential to be special. You simply have to remember a simple formula:
Opportunity + Courage = Impact.
(Sorry, I am still a mathematician at heart.)
What do I mean by Opportunity and Courage?
While researching this address I was struck by this quote from writer Anais Nin: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.”
She inspired me to think of Courage as the match that sets flame to the kindling that is Opportunity.
In other words, an opportunity is merely a possibility; some action must be taken to make it more than a dream. An opportunity combined with the courage to take action, however, creates a new reality.
We are often told that we must learn to recognize the opportunities that are put in front of us. This is sound advice, but it is more important to proactively seek out opportunities, and take advantage of the ones that are meaningful to you.
Being proactive takes courage—specifically the courage to be uncomfortable and accept the reality that you might fail. (Spoiler alert: We all occasionally fail.) But through that failure, if you’re open minded, you will learn something about yourself and the world around you that will prepare you for your next success.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I first became a CEO. Knowing what I know now it’s hard for me to believe that I made it to this point. It was the courage to take that first step, before I truly knew what I was doing, that was vital to my success during the past 15 years.
But many people have stories like mine that demonstrate the value of saying yes when you’re a bit unsure. Seek them out and learn from them. My personal experience, however, has taught me that courage is not always about saying yes. You also need the courage to say no.
Several years before becoming CEO, I was asked to lead our writing team. Up to that point, I had spent the bulk of my career in software engineering and project management. Yet, I had a solid understanding of the writing process, and I knew these teams would benefit most from a strong editorial lead who could provide direct guidance on how to write. I was not yet that person. So, after a night of reflection, I turned down the job.
The CEO was so surprised by my decision that he tried to change my mind by telling me that leadership opportunities like the one I turned down rarely happen, and I wouldn’t get another one. I was shaken and unsure whether his words were true. But I was also confident in my decision to say no.
And if you’ve been paying attention, you know that not only did I get another opportunity, I was eventually offered, and accepted, the CEO role when he retired.
The lesson is to always look for ways to gather kindling and set it aflame. Give yourself permission to sometimes say yes and sometimes say no. Stay true to yourself and you will be happy. Have the courage to not only dream, but also to take action and make those dreams a reality.
Let’s turn our attention to Impact and its relationship to Opportunity and Courage.
Playwright George Bernard Shaw offered these words during a speech: “Life is no brief candle to me. It is a splendid torch, which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
His message emphasizes that the opportunities we’ve been given come with the responsibility to positively impact others in our community.
I’m a relative newcomer to this way of thinking. I spent decades satisfied with the charitable work I facilitated through my professional career: internship and tuition reimbursement programs, college scholarships, and financial support for several community projects. This was valuable and impactful work, but it was not personal. It required very little of my own time, talent, and treasure. I excused my lack of personal involvement by rationalizing that my day job needed me more than these other commitments. While true to some extent, this most definitely was an excuse.
Fast forward to a few years ago. Chancellor Ford asked me to join the Council of Fellows Board of Directors at Behrend. Skeptical, I asked him to share his reasons for considering me. Through this conversation I was struck by how narrow-minded my contributions had been up to that point.
So, for the first time, I said yes to something that required a significant, personal commitment. Much like when I became CEO, I had no idea what I was saying yes to. But that first yes opened my eyes, so to speak, and has since led to many more yeses—to Behrend and elsewhere in the community. Today it’s hard for me to remember the “before times.” And for better or worse, now the Chancellor probably couldn’t get rid of me if he tried.
My favorite event of the year is Behrend’s annual scholarship celebration. I’m repeatedly inspired by the stories shared by students and their families. These stories—your stories—have enriched my life in ways I never could have dreamed of during that period when I was comfortable with my more limited impact.
My advice: Don’t wait to make an impact.
The fact that you’re among the graduating class tonight means that you’ve benefited from the amazing opportunity to attend college. Only 60 percent of recent high school seniors in the U.S. enroll in college, and a lower percentage graduate. But now that you have graduated, you have a responsibility to open your hearts and be a positive influence in your community. Your work will inspire others to do the same.
This is the impact created from boldly seeking out and taking advantage of the opportunities we’ve been given.
The Vision of a Behrend Graduate closes with: “We develop graduates who are widely recognized for the contributions they make to their professions, their communities, and the world around them.”
Tonight, you take the first step toward the fulfillment of this Vision. Make good on the lessons you learned during your time here. Live a courageous and impactful life that you are proud of, and meaningfully contribute to the world around you.
Thank you.
Matthew Totzke, a 1996 graduate of Penn State Behrend, is the president and CEO of Big Ideas Learning, a Larson Texts Company.