Fleming GS '63 delivers Baccalaureate address to the 'Class of Destiny'

Speaking with the wit and wisdom that characterized his four decades at the University, John V. Fleming GS '63 imparted his final advice to the Class of 2007, calling them "the last Princeton class I will ever really know," at the University's 260th Baccalaureate ceremony this afternoon.

Collectively dubbing the graduating seniors as "the Class of Destiny," Fleming, the Louis W. Fairchild '24 Professor of English emeritus, lauded their achievements and poked fun at undergraduate life. He then changed tone, telling the graduates that though they are a diverse group, they share in common a Princeton education and the obligation to change the world with it. [Full text of Fleming's speech.]

President Tilghman introduced Fleming, who taught a popular class on Chaucer until his retirement last year, saying that doing so was "a little like uncorking a bottle of champagne" because of the decades worth of experience that invariably bubble out of him.

Fleming began with a self-deprecating description of himself as the "safety candidate" for Baccalaureate speaker, selected mainly on the basis of availability. He told the seniors that in a reversal from the norm in which speakers are invited for being famous, "you've made me famous by inviting me." Baccalaureate is an interfaith service that includes readings and prayers from several religions. Senior class officers choose a speaker to deliver the Baccalaureate address.

He reminded the seniors that, like him, their time at the University had come to an end. He warned them that as of the end of Commencement on Tuesday morning, they "are no longer the younger generation –– and it's all downhill from there."

Drawing on his roots as a medievalist, Fleming also explored the etymology of the word "bachelor," explaining that an earlier version of the term described a young knight whose status was "beneath a horseman." Though that might not sound particularly prestigious, he reminded the audience that it was certainly "preferable to being beneath a horse." He also discussed the diploma's symbolism in the process of education, a tangible representation of the intangible rewards of an education, urging the Class of 2007 not to forget to get their diplomas at Commencement because "even though it is only outward and visible, it did cost you over a hundred grand."

Despite a humorous beginning that drew laughter and spontaneous applause — especially for Fleming's jabs at the grade deflation policy and the college application process — Fleming eventually segued into a discussion of the graduating seniors' place in the world.

Diversity at Princeton, Fleming explained, reflects a wide range of races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and other identity-defining characteristics, but it does not reflect the actual diversity found throughout the world. "Your elite status is a fact beyond dispute," he told those assembled before him. "Some of your privilege is defensible; much of it is not."

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Fleming's parting message to the Class of 2007 was one of social obligation to the far less privileged people across the globe. Referring to the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, he expressed his hope that this class, whom he called "destinarians," would combine their knowledge and energies toward fulfilling these goals and further improving the lives of others.

Several times, he stressed the second Millennium Development Goal of providing a primary education to every child in every country by 2015 and how beneficial such a step would be to the entire global community. He said he did not think, though, that the goal would be reached on schedule.

"The problem is that my generation is too tired," Fleming said. "We're leaving it up to you to do something about it."

In closing, Fleming told the seniors to "be sure to take with you not merely your diploma but your education as well." And, then, with a final jab at the day's proceedings, he said to the Class of 2007, "I hope to see you around. That is a platitude, but then this is a Baccalaureate address."