The following are the "Words of Wisdom" given  by Charles Burke, Westminster College Trustee Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus of The Grable Foundation, at the Westminster College commencement Saturday, May 20, after receiving an honorary doctor of public service degree.

I could not be more grateful to Westminster for this honor.  Westminster has always meant so much to me – particularly its people, those running and those attending the school. 

Toward the end of my second 4 year term, a friend sent me an email.  I read it to President Williamson at a Committee meeting who then asked me to share it with the Board as the "Thought for the Day" at the next Board Meeting.  I added another thought, a Sanskrit proverb.  When I was asked to give remarks at this service, I could not think of anything more appropriate than those two thoughts and so I will give them now as the "Thoughts for a Lifetime of Days". 

First the email, which I will read. 

"A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World."  Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1.  Egypt's Great Pyramids
2.  Taj Majal
3.  Grand Canyon
4.  Panama Canal
5.  Empire State Building
6.  St. Peter's Basilica
7.  China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet.  So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.  The girl replied, "Yes, a little.  I couldn't make up my mind because there were so many."  The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."  The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the "Seven Wonders of the World" are:
1.  to see
2.  to hear
3.  to feel
4.  to taste
5.  to think
6.  to laugh
7.  and to love

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.  The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!  A gentle reminder – that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man."

And the Sanskrit proverb:
"Look to this day, for in its course lies all
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day."

I wish for you all, particularly you graduates, that you look well upon each day by making best use of the wonders you have been given so that you have many, many dreams of happiness and many, many visions of hope.

I thank Westminster again for the honor given to me – and in closing say to you all- thumbs up, good luck and may God bless you all.  Thank you.

Charles Burke