I have joked often that James Ryan owes me at least one dinner. I have referred to his book titled “Wait, What? And Life’s Other Essential Questions” at least a thousand times and I have suggested more times than I can count that folks buy this stunningly powerful (short) book.
This book was drawn from his Commencement Address at the Harvard Graduate School of Education when he was the dean. The speech was so strong and impactful that, with the addition of a 6th question with which I wrestle still, a publisher reached out to him as the story goes and the address was published.
So, it should not come as a shock that I listened with great interest to his recent keynote speech at the Valedictory Exercises at this year’s UVA graduation, the University from which he “resigned” as President almost a year ago today. (The details of his “resignation” are another topic for another day.)
His usual humor was evident in the 2026 address, and he had his customary self-deprecatory tone. And here’s the message he delivered to the graduates: “Do the right thing, always.” Here’s a link to his remarks:
Ryan noted that graduates rarely remember the speeches at Commencement. But, he added, they might remember this one line: Do the right thing always.
Ryan then expounded on how and why one does the right thing across one’s life. He gave concrete examples, and he had the audience actually give thanks on the spot to those around them who helped them achieve their collegiate success. Ryan also had the audience thank the folks who helped him (Ryan) navigate forward when he resigned, a thank-you he felt was never properly given. He had folks thank his wife for her contributions to UVA. And yes, he shared that he still has hope for our nation, notwithstanding the current state of affairs.
I would bet, were I a betting person, that his speech will form the core of a new book that will emerge in the not too distant future. Like “Wait What,” this book’s message will resonate. Another best seller.
But as I listened to the speech, I could not help but think (although he never actually spoke to this issue and his speech was not political per se) that Ryan was actually talking about himself and his decision to resign from UVA via this address. I suspect that for him the difficult decision to resign to “save the university” was his moment (among many) to do the right thing. And in his eyes, he did the right thing, not for himself but for others. He lived his message. His actions became his speech.
Of late, I’ve been pondering choices as to what to do or not do in these later chapters of my life. (A nod to MBG, JM and PWA here) I’m thinking now that Ryan’s words would be good to adopt as a guidepost. And, like his previous book, I will ponder at length what it means to do the right thing, always. And to expand on that in these trying times, we all should be doing what’s right, always. And we should do it even when it is difficult and unpopular.
Karen Gross: Author, Educator, Artist & Commentator; Former President, Southern Vermont College; Former Senior Policy Advisor, US Dept. of Education; Former Law Professor.
This book was drawn from his Commencement Address at the Harvard Graduate School of Education when he was the dean. The speech was so strong and impactful that, with the addition of a 6th question with which I wrestle still, a publisher reached out to him as the story goes and the address was published.
So, it should not come as a shock that I listened with great interest to his recent keynote speech at the Valedictory Exercises at this year’s UVA graduation, the University from which he “resigned” as President almost a year ago today. (The details of his “resignation” are another topic for another day.)
His usual humor was evident in the 2026 address, and he had his customary self-deprecatory tone. And here’s the message he delivered to the graduates: “Do the right thing, always.” Here’s a link to his remarks:
Ryan noted that graduates rarely remember the speeches at Commencement. But, he added, they might remember this one line: Do the right thing always.
Ryan then expounded on how and why one does the right thing across one’s life. He gave concrete examples, and he had the audience actually give thanks on the spot to those around them who helped them achieve their collegiate success. Ryan also had the audience thank the folks who helped him (Ryan) navigate forward when he resigned, a thank-you he felt was never properly given. He had folks thank his wife for her contributions to UVA. And yes, he shared that he still has hope for our nation, notwithstanding the current state of affairs.
I would bet, were I a betting person, that his speech will form the core of a new book that will emerge in the not too distant future. Like “Wait What,” this book’s message will resonate. Another best seller.
But as I listened to the speech, I could not help but think (although he never actually spoke to this issue and his speech was not political per se) that Ryan was actually talking about himself and his decision to resign from UVA via this address. I suspect that for him the difficult decision to resign to “save the university” was his moment (among many) to do the right thing. And in his eyes, he did the right thing, not for himself but for others. He lived his message. His actions became his speech.
Of late, I’ve been pondering choices as to what to do or not do in these later chapters of my life. (A nod to MBG, JM and PWA here) I’m thinking now that Ryan’s words would be good to adopt as a guidepost. And, like his previous book, I will ponder at length what it means to do the right thing, always. And to expand on that in these trying times, we all should be doing what’s right, always. And we should do it even when it is difficult and unpopular.
Karen Gross: Author, Educator, Artist & Commentator; Former President, Southern Vermont College; Former Senior Policy Advisor, US Dept. of Education; Former Law Professor.