Thank you, Chancellor. I was introduced as ‘Emeritus Regent.’ The President of Lawrence University once told me, “Roger, don’t ever let them call you ‘Emeritus.’ The reason is because that word comes from the Greek word ‘Emeritus.’ ‘E’ means ‘you’re out,’ and ‘Meritus’ means ‘you deserved it.’”

But I have another honor in being here, because today I am like most of you in the audience. As it happens, my granddaughter is among this graduating class. You might just recognize which one she is when she passes by because, like you, I’ll be the one with the tear in my eye and the lump in my throat.

My other job is to bring you greetings from the UW Board of Regents. The Governor appoints regents, two each year for seven year terms, who serve as the policy making body for the entire University of Wisconsin System. There are 26 campuses in the system: 13 four-year universities and 13 two-year colleges. There are 160,000 students at those 26 campuses. The UW System is ranked as one of the top university systems in the U.S., and UW-La Crosse is one of the brightest diamonds in our crown.

I am especially pleased to share this program with State Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Burmaster who also serves as a regent. Libby and I also share one mission, and that is towards internationalizing education in this state. We believe we must prepare our young people for their inheritance—a global economy and, especially, to respect other cultures.

Chancellor Gow mentioned that I have written ten books—my wife says that's nine too many. One book I wrote is on gestures and body language around the world. As a result, I can teach you Rude Gestures in Fifteen Different Cultures, without you realizing you’re doing them.

For instance, this common American gesture (the ”okay” gesture) is very rude in places like Brazil and parts of Germany.

This gesture (the “V” for victory sign or ”peace”) is okay in England… but don’t do it this way. It means roughly the same as this (okay) in Brazil.

Even this gesture (”thumbs up”) is a rude gesture in places like Nigeria and among the older generations in Australia. For them it is the same as the okay and V-for-victory signs.

The message here is that most of you will be traveling internationally, and the best thing you can carry away with you today is the need for ”lifelong learning.” Plus, as I said, the need to respect other cultures. If more people around the world had that respect, there might be fewer Darfurs, fewer Iraqs, and fewer Israeli/Palestinian conflicts.

Finally, you should know there is one gesture that is known and understood all over the world. It is known and used by tribes coming out into civilization for the first time.

Know what it is? It’s the smile. Isn’t that wonderful? One gesture known around the world, rarely misunderstood, is the smile.

I hope you’ll all do a lot of smiling in your future wherever you may go.

Thank you.