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Even though all of these aspects of Rice are true and did, in fact, help me to make my college decision, the real reason for my coming to Rice only recently dawned on me. Interestingly enough, I'd been carrying the reason in my pockets for years and didn't even know it. What could it be? Well, I've got some Carmex Lip Balm in here, but my lips are not the real reason I came to college, contrary to popular opinion. I've got my keys and yes, I could give a discourse about how "Knowledge is the key to unlocking the doors to your dreams and realizing your full potential." But I've got something even cheesier for you.

Change. In my hand, I've got some coins. That's it. The real reason I came to college, and probably you too, is to one day get a good job, make lots of cash and live the American Dream. There's nothing wrong with that. But I urge you to think critically about these coins in my hand and search for the deeper symbolic meaning. What I hold in the palm of my hand is change , not money, but the promise of change. Ultimately, your goal at Rice should be to make changes in your life and in the lives of all those with whom you come into contact.

I am not the same person I was three years ago, when I sat in one of those very seats, listening to the words of President Gillis as he welcomed me and the rest of the Class of 1998 to Rice University. I am not the same person I was three months ago, when I began experiencing the constant perspiration affliction of those condemned to the hot, Houston summer. I am not the same person I was three minutes ago, as I fidgeted in my seat, mentally preparing to give this talk. You aren't the same either. You've just embarked upon a most important journey. You may be in the same country, the same state or even the same zip code, but you've still undergone a dramatic change. You have taken on the role of explorer as you attempt to navigate the waters of increased academic awareness and personal understanding.

In these upcoming years, I urge you to challenge yourself as you never have before. For most of you, high school did not demand the fullness of your capabilities or ask that you expand your mind past the pages of textbooks. Here at Rice, you will be encouraged to think on your own, to create new realms of possibility, equipped with an academic foundation of superior quality. Your classes will definitely be challenging, and you will probably find yourself working harder than you imagined.

As a Bulls fan, I'm reminded of one of the many Michael Jordan commercials. Not Gatorade's -- "Life is a sport; drink it up," although that message could just as easily apply here, but the one about continually pushing yourself. I'll tweak the scenario slightly so that it may fit within the Rice framework:

You may spend countless hours in tutorials and discussion sections, begging for help, searching for understanding. You might have to write and rewrite and rewrite papers. You will wrongly answer questions during classroom debates. You may get a low grade on a test or an exam. But, if you step up to the challenges which face you and press towards your goals, accepting even greater tasks and responsibilities, then you have already won the battle. Ultimately, you succeed because you refuse to give up.

Over the next few days as you select courses, keep in mind that Rice encourages your exploration of the curriculum. Take classes that interest and challenge you. At Rice, we are definitely concerned with your intellectual growth. However, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that some of the most important development you will experience over the next four years will occur outside the classroom.

Rice offers a unique environment in which to continue growth at the personal level. I've got some tips on exactly how to make the most of Rice in order to fully reap these benefits ... I call it Daryl's Change Machine. Normally, it costs a dollar for advice like this, but I'll make an exception this time ...

Ask any of your advisors, and they will tell you that O-Week is the best time of the year, because it's when everyone is at their friendliest. Think about it. Classes and stress are nowhere to be seen, we've just returned from these great summer vacations, the year is filled with promise. Now is the perfect time for you to get out there and make friends. Rejection is nothing to fear, you can go up to just about anybody and they'll talk to you because they're not busy, or stressed or feeling the evils inspired by organic chemistry. But here's the hook ... try to get to know people who are different from you. They can look different or talk different or come from different places and backgrounds, but those are the people who can teach you the most. Your life becomes incredibly richer when you expand your horizons.

But not only that, you're cheating everyone else if you don't share the wonderfulness that is you. It's my loss, too, if you don't share your perspective with me, and I'm sorry, but that's not something I'm willing to accept. So, get to know people regardless of what they look or sound like. Now if smell is a deterrent, I can understand, but otherwise you really have no excuse.

Second, dedicate yourself to the improvement of your surroundings. Get involved at Rice. We've got many different clubs and organizations to choose from, I'm sure you'll find a meaningful way to spend time outside of class in ways other than studying. And guess what, if you can't find anything that interests you, it's your responsibility to bring it to the Rice campus.

There are countless stories about students who just got together and started up great services for Rice. KTRU is one of the most frequently-used examples, because it began as and remains an underground radio station. The CoffeeHouse was started in the basement of Hanszen [College] by a group of enterprising students. And you can ask any upperclassman about the weight they've gained as a result of Rice Cakes, a most vital late-night service which provides homemade goodies to Rice students and donates the proceeds to charity. The point is that you should feel free to make changes to this environment as you see fit, as long as you go about it in a legal manner.

Next, get active in the community, for you have a greater responsibility as future leaders of both this institution and this society. I urge you to participate in Outreach Days, help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, complete local service projects with RSVP.

In the final principle of Daryl's Change Machine, you should strive to maintain balance in your daily life. The "work hard, play hard" mentality cannot fully provide the self-possession and control necessary to effectively complete tasks and manifest change. Killing yourself during the school week with work and then partying until the wee hours of the morning on weekends does not make your life balanced. Awareness stands at the core of the balanced existence, for within this framework, constant attention is paid to the upkeep of body, mind, and spirit. I encourage you to seek out those activities which serve to ground you -- Tai-Chi at sunrise, walking or meditation. Those things which help you to maintain your focus should be done frequently to ensure that when faced with challenges you will perform to the best of your abilities.

College is the perfect time to ask questions and find your own answers. Be open to change, and challenge yourself to extend your present understandings of the past, present, and future.

As I close this evening, I'm reminded of the words of the unsung, underrated prophet of our time, Michael Jackson. The insightful lyrics from his aptly titled Bad album ring in my ears: I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways. And no message could've been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make that change.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the August 29, 1997 issue.