‘WOOSOOMOOSOO’

Doriel Larrier '90 joins her children in Castle Court after convocation.

By Doriel Larrier ’90
(These remarks were delivered at CC’s 92nd convocation on Aug. 31.)

Twenty years ago, on this same day, I sat where you are in this same auditorium, not knowing what was before me. Not knowing who I would meet, what specifically I would learn and what experiences I would have. The faculty, administration, and staff of this institution — some of whom are still here — now sit listening to me with a robe and hood akin to their own. Never would I have dreamed of such a moment until I embraced what I will share with you today.

This great institution will provide what it has if only you will take it. The faculty study, write and debate so that you will expand your brain. The administration of this institution search, and process the best connections with the outer community here and abroad. I therefore desire to leave you with a silly acronym that I want for you to repeat with me. This acronym will allow you to focus on your years ahead, freshmen, and your years following leaving the ivied wall of Connecticut College.

WOOSOOMOOSOO.

What is it? It is a mnemonic for freshmen entering and seniors departing. It is an object lesson’s opening statement for faculty returning once again looking at their multitude of texts, journals, reams of research, required and recommended readings that lay before students in the proposed syllabi. It is a thematic focal point for administration who once again look forward by looking back at where they want the college to go by not allowing it to go back to ideas that worked then but will not work now in this century.

WOOSOOMOOSOO means…
Window
Of
Opportunity
Sea
Of
Options
Mountains
Of
Obstacles
Service
Of
Others

Window of Opportunity
Once you entered the ivied walls of Connecticut College at the entrance of Route 32, you stepped through a window that affords you with opportunity to meet people from places you’ve only heard of, or maybe places you never heard of. You will have opportunities to read, study, debate and question theories your parents and other authorities said “just believe.” You will be able to have experiences participating in things you may have never thought you would think about. I never knew what a coxswain was until I stepped across Route 32 and someone said I could fit in the boat. Good thing I knew how to swim! Thanks men’s crew! I never imagined I would be singing a cappella — although I loved the sound — with a group of “sorority sisters” who did not look like me, singing music from my parents and grandparents day, in addition to music I never heard of! Thanks Shwiffs!

Sea of Options
Your options at this College are to follow the Honor Code. To attend class. To go to the library to research the paper that you know of at the beginning of the semester rather than wait until the night before. To speak to someone who does not look like you, dress like you or speak like you. To befriend the friendless and stand up for those who don’t have voice to speak.

Mountains of Obstacles
Your Mountain of Obstacles comes in the form of: Finish your work on time and do not take an incomplete. Get over yourself and the issues that you bring from your home town, your insecurities, your high school dreams not yet realized. The fact that you think you are not tall enough, short enough, great in math, great in writing, etc. Get over it! You are here to actualize your potential. Those things that you saw in high school, that may have been a stumbling block — turn it around so that it is your step stool. Step up and over so that you may provide.

Service of Others
Get together with like-minded people to cross over Route 32 to reach out. Inform yourself, connect and then give back. As you learn, help those that need your help. Help those that need your heart. It is said that people will not care how much you know until they know how much you care. All of this information acquired here means nothing until you reach into New London and Southeastern Connecticut. It meant nothing until you reached into Louisiana. It means nothing until, for example, you help build a school in an underdeveloped country across the waters.

You cannot achieve, I submit, Service Of Others unless you see your Windows Of Opportunities, ponder over your Sea of Options, and overcome your Mountain of Obstacles.

As you move forth, into your first four years of higher education, or your last nine months of the first leg of your college career, please, I implore, envision yourself stepping through the window, choosing well and getting over your own issues so you can help someone else. You could work to be a billionaire, but if there is no one to share it with — what is it worth?

WOOSOOMOOSOO Camels.

WOOSOOMOOSOO…