Winford Gordon, assistant professor of psychology, (above) delivered the keynote address at Western Carolina University’s annual Freshman Convocation on Friday, Aug. 15, focusing on themes from the summer reading selection “Three Cups of Tea.” The book is co-authored by and about Greg Mortenson, a mountaineer and international humanitarian.

Here are excerpts from the speech Gordon delivered at convocation:

As a former racer, I really enjoyed watching this year’s Olympic whitewater event. It was exciting, and I cheered for the U.S. athletes whom I knew as kids back in 1996. However, no matter how close the race was, no matter how dramatic the finish was, it was nothing compared to the feeling of sitting in the starting gate at the Olympic trials hearing, “Five, four, three, two…” Being a participant is simply more powerful than being a spectator.

If you want to make a difference then you should live as a participant.  I know a great example of living as a participant. Everyone has seen the classic Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” a film that shows us how one man’s participation in his town made all the difference. Had George Bailey been a spectator then Bedford Falls would have been Potterville, Harry Bailey would have drowned as a boy, and Clarence would never have earned his wings. If George had been a spectator, his absence would not have mattered. Can you imagine a more tragic statement about a person’s life? Your absence made no difference, or your presence wasn’t noticed.

I brought the book “Three Cups of Tea” to the first year reading committee that selected the title because I think it is clearly related to living as a participant not a spectator.  Where’s all of the participation in the book? Let’s start with Greg Mortenson as he is attempting to climb K2. Mortenson didn’t just think about climbing K2. He didn’t read climbing magazines or watch movies about K2. He traveled all the way to Pakistan to climb the mountain. He is not a spectator.

When his trip took an unexpected turn that left him lost on a glacier, he was saved by the people of Korphe. In Korphe he was very weak yet he explored the village, met people and learned about Balti culture. He didn’t sit quietly in the sun, resting and watching, he went out to the people. Mortenson is definitely not a spectator.

After he recovered and returned to the United States, Mortenson still refused to merely watch. This is where I find his story most compelling. Pakistan is not an easy country to visit. The entire region is caught up in the struggle between the forces of radical Islam and a broader, more open world view. This struggle has divided a proud and ancient culture into factions. This year we have seen the result of these divisions. Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister and emerging national leader, was assassinated in December. Just last week Pakistan’s parliament decided to impeach President Pervez Musharraf. To make everything more complicated, the Taliban, a radical Islamic group that once ruled Afghanistan, has moved into Pakistan. The country is now bombing its own towns to fight the Taliban.

If Pakistanis are killing one another, imagine the reception an American could expect. In fact, Mortenson was kidnapped and held hostage for a short time. Yet, Mortenson returned, time and time again, because he couldn’t just watch the events in Pakistan. He was unwilling to bear silent witness to another decade of deprivation and hardship for the children of Pakistan. Thousands of young boys and girls wanted to learn, and he decided to be part of creating the opportunity they so desperately wanted. He has built more than 50 schools that provide education to thousands of children in a country otherwise unable to provide the opportunity. Mortenson is absolutely not a spectator.

So I hold Greg Mortenson up to all of us as an example of doing rather than just watching. You can apply his story in so many ways:

Don’t just watch the events of your life go by. Choose a path, set a goal and be fully involved in realizing your ambitions. Participate in your future.

Don’t just wish for better friends or more fulfilling relationships. Be a friend and tell others that you appreciate when they act like friends. Express yourself to those you love and accept love when it is offered. Participate in your relationships.

Finally, don’t just sit and hope for a better world. Pick a cause and be part of finding a solution to the problems that frighten us all. If you don’t have a cause or if you have room for another project, then join those of us who want to change the future for the children in Pakistan. In the next couple of weeks there will be announcements inviting you to get involved in building Western’s school in Pakistan.

Tonight you begin a new chapter. Tonight you enter university life. What happens next doesn’t depend on the chancellor; it doesn’t depend on the provost or even these professors. What happens next depends on you. George Bailey mattered. Greg Mortenson matters. It is time for you to decide, will you matter?

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last Modified: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008