SUNDAY 6TH DECEMBER, 2015 – UWI TODAY
13
HONORARY GRADUATE
GERARD BESSON
Between Reality and Truth
“Now, as social scientists, it is vital that you recognize the difference between truth
and reality. The reality he experienced in his dream, so real, was like any reality that is
experienced – and like all realities it passes away, while the truth of his realization endures.
Never accept reality, until it is proven, by truth.
Truth is a universal constant, it is like the Newtonian constant of gravitation, or Pi, the
mathematical constant, and it is different from reality, because reality changes, alters, ends,
and begins again.
Now you understand that with Sufi stories you must pay close attention, otherwise
you may miss the meat of the matter. Sufi stories urge you to develop the faculty to tell the
difference between reality and truth. And, in so doing, to thine own self be true.”
VALEDICTORIAN
CAVINNE GOODING
What Sets You Apart?
“What really makes you different from the hundreds of us that have just crossed this stage
with the same type of degree, from the same institution? You have received a piece of paper, yes; a
testament to the fact that you signed your name on the attendance register (or asked your friend to
do so), worked as a team (or did the entire project on your own) and have written and passed the
exams (by the grace of God). A piece of paper that, no doubt, you worked very hard for but what
are you going to do with it? What sets you apart? You have a responsibility to give character to that
piece of paper, you have an obligation to put value to it, to differentiate it from the hundreds of
pieces of paper that fill this room.
While we may not have been consciously aware of it, our experiences here at the UWI have
already contributed to the development of this character to which we will attach our certificates.”
FOR FULL ADDRESS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
ENERGY
UWI GRADUATION CEREMONIES 2015
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
