The 2008 Alumni - Senior Breakfast

Good morning. As Father Boller mentioned my name is Vinnie Murray, and it’s a pleasure to be with you today. First and foremost, congratulations on your pending graduation. I’m sure there are some of you who are still squeaking out the last minute service hours or finishing up your final papers but for the most part, you’ve probably made it, and that’s a great feeling of accomplishment.

When Mr. Curran invited me to speak with you this morning I was honored, as I’ve always had great affection for the Prep, and I think when you get to college you’ll really see what I mean. Fordham (and I never thought I’d say this because when I was in your shoes I couldn’t wait to leave) prepared me for college better then any of my friends were prepared. Between teaching you to look at problems from different perspectives and coming up with alternative solutions, to knowing how to study and write a paper, you’re going to be way ahead of your friends, trust me.

You know its funny how everyone speaks about education in four year increments. As freshmen when you were entering the Prep, you probably heard a lot of folks tell you how important the next four years of your life would be, and they were right. And now as you prepare for college you’re going to hear a lot more people tell you how the NEXT four years are the most important in your life, and they’re right too. I’ve certainly found that as you move forward in life the challenges get harder, but at the same time the rewards are much greater.

Fordham had a unique role in my life, as I’m sure it has for many of you. I grew up in Westchester and attended a school with all the same kind of people, until I started getting on the Metro North everyday and coming down to the Bronx. The vast backgrounds and geographical mix of all the students here is a learning experience in its own right. This place also has an uncanny ability of getting you out of your comfort zone and then making you feel comfortable in new situations. I was always a jock, I played soccer, football and ran track while I was here, all things I thought I would do when I arrived. But there were a few experiences that I never anticipated. Mr. Langelotti drawing me in to write for and then become editor of the newspaper certainly wasn’t on my to do list upon arrival. Nor was my “illustrious” foray into drama. You see Father O’Malley suckered me in as he pretty much made it mandatory for his students to try out for the play (I don’t know if this still goes on today, or not but I thought it was pretty cruel). Next thing I knew I was the lead in a musical, I thought it was some kind of joke, I cant sing to save myself and was terrible. Come to think of it I don’t think I really improved my grade much with that stunt either. Anyway there used to be a tape of that performance floating around, I hope it got destroyed. If not someone can probably make a pretty penny selling that to my coworkers. I also think I skipped the part of the brochure where they mentioned a few hundred hours of community service. Even though that turned out to be one of my favorite experiences here, I think I just slid under the wire on that requirement.

Many of the things I learned here had little to do with the classroom. Being on time for appointments, dressing presentably, and looking someone in the eye when you shake their hand (a Mr. Bott special) were all things that my friends who went to public schools never were lucky enough to understand. Just ask some of the alums sitting at your tables, it’s amazing how much people in the business world pay attention to the simple details. I’ve found that many of the values I’ve learned here have not only made me better at what I do, but also have eternally bound me to the people whom I learned those values with.

You can see what I’m talking about when you watch Prep graduates from 1963 interact with graduates from 1998. Most times when you see people 35 years apart speak, the conversation looks like someone’s pulling teeth. Not so with our alums, and when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The alumni base of this school all learned in a similar fashion and with similar fundamental beliefs. When you walk through the Hall of Honor and see the motto “men for others,” it means something.

The relationships I forged in my time here have led to not only lifelong friendships, but also flourishing business relationships. As hard as it may be with the numerous distractions in your lives, I encourage you to stay in touch with your classmates. Between Facebook, email and even Fordham Prep Connect, there are numerous ways to stay in contact. One of the main reasons this school is so successful, is in thanks to its strong community and its alumni support.

One final point before I go. I spoke earlier about learning how to look at things from different angles and perspectives. Something I recently read greatly exemplifies my thought. A few days after the Giants won the Super Bowl, I received an email from a fellow alum, in it contained the morning prayer for Monday February 4^th. Mr. Homer discussed hard work and planning against the Patriots making up for inferior talent. He told of the Giant defense being able to accomplish great things when playing with enthusiasm and intensity. And he also spoke about Eli Manning’s pass to David Tyree as an example of never giving up when being dragged down, using our heads and that invoking a Hail Mary is never out of place. His view on the Giants heroic victory embodies the intellectual, humorous, and loving reasons why Prep alums stay connected and always have a home here.

Thank you for your time, Congratulations again and best wishes on your bright futures.