The following address was delivered at American University's Convocation on August 22, 2025.

Good morning, Eagles! 

On behalf of nearly 160,000 alumni around the world, welcome to the AU family. By your side is a community that transcends generations in cheering on your success, made all the more full-circle by the presence today of our Golden Eagles who are celebrating 50 years or more since their AU graduation. Thank you for showing us what sustained excellence looks like. 

Look around you. Do you feel it? There's an energy in this room that's palpable and full of promise. That's the power of possibility, the charge of new beginnings and the magnetic force of thousands of brilliant minds. It's you. 

But what do I mean by energy? Well, Einstein taught us that energy equals mass times the speed of light—squared. Remember that from high school physics? 

Think of it this way: Your 'mass' is everything you bring—your lived experience, your identity, your values, your drive. When you combine that with your passions and move forward with velocity, your energy multiplies exponentially. That's E=mc², and that's the power each of you holds. 

So what will you do at AU to put your energy to work? Yes, your energy will fuel your curiosity in the classroom. It'll make sure you get to TDR before it closes, and it'll propel new friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Here's what I know as an AU alumna and as a parent watching my own Eagle navigate these very halls: Your energy is your most precious resource. So think about what you can do at AU to put it to work:  

• Channel your energy into research. Dive deep into questions that fascinate you, work alongside professors who will challenge your thinking, and contribute to discoveries that could change the world. 

• Pour your energy into internships and experiential learning. The classroom teaches you to think, but the real world teaches you how to apply that thinking. 

• Let your energy flow creatively. Whether you're performing, singing, dancing, filming, or writing, the arts send ripples of creativity into every discipline. 

• And direct your energy toward service. When you lift others, you discover powers you never knew you had with positive change that extends far beyond campus. 

You don't have to do everything at once. Invest in what matters most to you. The work you put in today becomes the future you step into tomorrow. 

And you're not taking this journey alone. With alumni in every state and 170-plus countries, the Alumni Association isn't just your future—we're your present partners. We're here with mentorship, networking, career guidance, and a community that spans decades and continents. 

We often say "Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle." So let me recognize again our Golden Eagles. These remarkable individuals prove that the energy you generate here doesn't diminish with time—it compounds.  

So let me leave you with a new formula. My apologies to the faculty, but this one isn't in any textbook: Purpose plus Passion plus Persistence equals limitless Power. 

You have limited time to experiment with that equation at AU. Try different combinations. Discover what ignites your passion. Find your purpose. Develop your persistence. 

The energy in this room today is just the beginning. How you channel it will write the story of your impact on the world. 

Welcome to AU. Now go soar!