As I write this message, I imagine I am standing at a podium looking out at you, your parents, partners, family, friends, faculty, and my colleagues from the Office of International Students and Scholars. It is the UNH International Graduation Ceremony and Reception, a wonderful event celebrating your achievements. Everyone present, even in this virtual world, are here because they are part of your UNH experience. We are proud of you. We share your happiness and excitement about where life will take you next.

It is my privilege to congratulate you on behalf of the OISS staff, whom you have come to know well. We hope in the future, we will meet in-person to say congratulations. In the meantime, we reach across this virtual space to celebrate with you and to wish you a good and successful life.

It is a tradition to offer graduates a message. In the past, I have looked to insightful speeches of eloquent, wise, and sometimes funny people. However, this year I have turned to someone different for my inspiration - J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, an imaginative children’s story with heroes, heroines, friendship, and a little magic. The post-pandemic world is going to require many of these qualities from intelligent, educated, and creative people like you. We will look to you to use your imagination, talents, and skills and maybe to inspire a little magic to resolve everyday problems as well as significant world issues. In this changed world, in which global interconnectedness has been tragically demonstrated, we will need new rules and ways of working. Therefore, I will ask you, as J.B. Barrie asked, "shall we make a new rule for life…always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?" (1902).

May you receive the kindness of others as you step forward with confidence and humility into this new world and embark on your next adventure. Congratulations UNH graduates and families from us all in the Global Education Center.