Professor Robert Rodgers Explores the Importance of Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone at Academic Convocation 2024

Speaking in front of large audiences is not something that I am good at, nor is it something that I am particularly comfortable doing. There is a reason that I chose to teach at a college with small classes and not at a massive research university with large lectures. I point this out, not only to lower the expectations for my speech, but also to emphasize what I hope you all take away from the words that I will share with you this afternoon: we all need to get out of our comfort zone.

Let me begin by addressing the students in the audience. As you start this academic year, I encourage you to take risks, get involved, be present, and set goals. Yes, set some goals that you might not even think are achievable. You can do this. You are a select few. As folks in our admissions office can tell you, many high schoolers apply to Stonehill each year, but not all are accepted. You have demonstrated your capabilities and, clearly, you deserve to be here.  

What you do while here at Stonehill is largely up to you. I implore you to explore new ideas and new ways of thinking. Do this exploration fearlessly and joyfully. Expose yourself to people whose ideas and beliefs are different from your own and engage with them. Don’t be passive. Rather, debate big, contentious ideas and issues, but make sure you do this thoughtfully and respectfully, listening as much as speaking. Do your research and know what you are talking about, and then try your hardest to hear the other side.  

You are part of an academic community. The academy is a forum for the sharing of ideas and the subsequent critique of them. You are lucky to be able to participate in higher education. Until recent generations, the college experience was not open to many.  But you are here now, so take advantage of this fact. Your professors will do some of this work for you by providing readings that challenge you – engage with those readings, critique them. College is not the place to memorize and recite, but rather it is the haven for free inquiry, critical reflection, and the interchange of ideas. College is the place to develop your full person. As Stonehill’s mission statement declares, the college is committed to educating both the heart and the mind – the whole person – so that its graduates, which will soon include you, can think, act and lead with courage to create a more just and compassionate world. This is what it means to be a Stonehill College student.  

You are not only part of the Stonehill College community. Your community extends beyond the gates of this campus. You are in the town of Easton, Brockton is next door, Boston and Providence are close by – make sure to get off campus and engage with people in these places. You can learn a lot from them. Beyond these nearby geographical locations, you are part of what I like to call the American democratic experiment. This experiment in self-governance commenced well over 200 hundred years ago. 

The United States was founded upon revolutionary ideas: that all people are equal and the governmental legitimacy rests upon the consent of the governed. It has become hackneyed to say that in the U.S. we have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. But there is truth in this. Democracies depend upon the people.

Some say that American democracy is in decline. Certainly, trust in government has declined significantly over the past five decades. Support for democracy has also declined significantly in recent years. I am curious who in the audience here would vote to move away from democracy? Wait...see what I did do there: I asked who would “VOTE”, right? Democratic ideas are so engrained in the American character that my connecting voting as the path away from democracy probably didn’t seem incompatible to many of you. Americans vote all the time, even if they don’t participate in elections of public officials– they will vote to determine who stays on the island, who is the best singer on The Voice, or with friends where to go to dinner.  

Whether or not American democracy is in decline, our democracy needs us. We are unfortunately living in a time when engagement with politics is fraught. Many find American politics unappealing, unsavory, or even dangerous. Indeed, these days disagreements about ideas can quickly become heated and personal. Some among us may fear being targeted on social media or ostracized simply for taking a contrary position or thinking about an issue in a different way. Indeed, I’ve noticed that students of late are less inclined to play devil’s advocate in class discussions. I suggest to you that if everyone in the room agrees with you, you are in the wrong room. The health of American democracy depends on changing rooms so that you can have difficult conversations on contentious issues...and the academy should be a safe place to have these discussions.  

There are countless contentious issues facing the nation and the world. There is a closely contested election coming up in November, right? Regardless of controversy, it is clear that problems do not go away by themselves. Solutions need active participation. Our civil liberties and our civil rights...many of which we may take for granted...required dedication, hard work, and sacrifice by countless individuals to secure.  

So, my call is for you to get out of your comfort zone and become more civically engaged. The knowledge and skills you learn in class will inform that engagement.  As Thomas Jefferson wrote, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” The education Stonehill provides is foundationally important. But know that so much of what you will learn in college comes from outside the classroom. So, get involved in clubs, go to guest lectures, stay up late talking about big ideas with people in the lounge in your residence hall.  

I’ve directed much of what I’ve said so far to the first-year students, but the same encouragement of getting outside your comfort zone and becoming more civically engaged applies to our seniors as well as family members and supporters of students.  

As I was writing this speech, I thought about what I told my own kids about getting out of their comfort zones as they were heading off to college. I am not sure that they listed to me...I am their father after all. With the hope of a more receptive audience here, I will again share my top ten list of how to get the most out of college:

1. Get involved ... and become more civically engaged. American democracy needs you.
2. Broaden your academic horizons...explore classes outside your major. You might find that you’re super interested in things that you didn’t even know existed.  
3. Be nice and see the dignity in all who you encounter. Most often, this respect will be reciprocated. 
4. Get to know the people who work at the college. Paraphrasing Professor Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts, “Help will always be given at [Stonehill College] to those who ask for it.” 
5. Stay connected to your family and friends at home ... but not too connected. Being a parent who has two kids in college, I know how nice it is to hear from my kids. I’m sure your parents will appreciate a call every so often, especially if you don’t need to ask for money.
6. Do the reading.  Really, do the reading.  
7. Well, my kids stopped listening after maybe three or four, so I am thinking I should stop here with the top six. 

Best wishes to you all as you embark on this next stage in your life. Parents and supporters, trust that the foundation you provided is strong and enjoy your extra free time. Seniors, this is your last year in college (we hope) so make the most of it. First-year students, take advantage of all the opportunities this wonderful place has to offer. Many say that college is the best four years of your life. While there is much truth in this, I disagree – you don’t want to peak at ages 18-22.  

As I now return to the comfort of my seat, I want to say thanks for listening and best wishes!