Former educator Paul R. Corts reminded Samford University's 230 fall graduates Dec. 13 that Commencement is an end that is really a beginning and offered the seniors "words of encouragement" in the form of six principles to live by.
The former president of Palm Beach Atlantic and Wingate universities advised seniors to fix a course and follow it carefully, to love life and respect people, to value character development, to choose friends and associates carefully, to commit to serving others and to live a life that leaves a worthy legacy.
"Little of real value in life just happens," said Corts. "Most anything of real worth happens because someone visioned a thing, developed a plan, and worked to make it happen."
The speaker reminded the seniors that colleges graduates are a select group. "To whom much is given, much is expected in return," he continued. He urged them to "reach out and touch a hurting world for good" through public service, community service, missions and voluntarism as they pursued their careers.
Corts is assistant attorney general for administration of the United States. He is the brother of Samford President Thomas E. Corts.