15 / 10 / 2011

The United States Ambassador, Teddy Taylor recently reminded outgoing students from Divine Word University (DWU) to have their “moral compass” right to lead a life of purpose as they move out into the world.

Giving the keynote address at the 3rd annual “Missioning Ceremony” on Friday 14th October, 2011, Ambassador Taylor reminded the students that “it is important to know your moral compass.”
“It will make you different.”

Ambassador was addressing a packed audience at the SVD Memorial Auditorium comprising 309 final year students, about 500 parents and relatives that came in from across the country and the rest of the university community.

Ambassador Taylor called on the students to be wary of their nation and its needs and be prepared to land a hand to its development.

“Remember, satisfaction (in life) comes when you can help somebody else,” said the US envoy.
“So much is expected of you,” he told the final year students.

The Ambassador recalled lives of four famous people whom he said provided examples of how people who had done things for the good of others.

He recalled South African leader Nelson Mandela, TV star Oprah Winfrey, Microsoft founder, Bill Gates US Civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. He said these individuals were examples of people who have done great things for others – Mandela for fighting apartheid for the rights of the black majority in his homeland and Winfrey and Gates for philanthropy work where they spend billions of their money for the needs of others.

He said the Mandelas, Winfreys , Gates’ and King Jrs of the world allowed their “moral compass” to guide them.

Taylor said life is tough and students have to make tough decisions and their judgment has to be right as long as they have their “moral compass”.

He said they have to ask question when doing certain things life. “Am I doing the things that are necessary?” Ambassador Taylor said such a question will put them on the right tract.

He said life is a story and everyone writes her or his own story by her or his actions.

Taylor said every chapter comprises of the things that are done by a person in life.

He said with an education from a role model university like DWU, they cannot go wrong. Taylor told the students to be conscious of their upbringing as they venture out to face the world.

Archbishop Padilla also shared similar sentiments about service to the needy. Archbishop Padilla said there was a need to be Christ-like in these days of many challenges.

Parents’ representative Nancy Rus thanked the University for grooming the students to be morally and ethically conscious.

Rus said DWU graduates can make a difference “to kill corruption” that is choking the country.

Speaking in Tok Pisin, the second national language, the community organizer from Western Highlands Province called on the graduating students to value the nation as their private property and nurture it as it was being lead astray be a greedy minority.

Parents and relatives of six students en route to the ceremony who lost their lives in a plane crash in the Rai Coast district of Madang Province, the day before were remembered in the Missioning mass conducted by the Papal Nuncio. Br Andrew Simpson, DWU Vice President, student academic and administration announced the sad news to the rest of the students and parents gathered for the ceremony at the SVD Memorial Auditorium. Br Simpson declared the observance of a minute of silence before the formal ceremony began with the Mass. He stated that it was very sad and unfortunate that an incident and the University grieved with the students and their loved ones.

Students and their parents during the Missioning Ceremony at the DWU Madang campus on Friday 14th October.	US Ambassador Teddy Taylor and Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Francisco Padilla being welcomed to by the students for the Missioning Ceremony at the SVD Memorial Auditorium.