Everybody wants to rule the world: My last day of college

"Dream, try, and do good." - Mr. Feeny

Professor Q, my Business Law & Ethics professor, and basically my Mr. Feeny.

Not only did he teach us how to understand the fundamentals of the legal system, but it was his mission at the end of the semester that each of us walk out those doors as ethical leaders, and simply – good people.

Would you want to be an oyster?

One of my favorite lectures this semester was when we discussed normative ethics; utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. We covered grounds on each and then he led us with this question: Who here wants to be an oyster? 

We look around laughing then he goes, “No really, who would like to be an oyster for there rest of your life? Especially in terms of utilitarianism. You would be living life net neutral, you don’t do any harm to anything and are just an oyster. Oh there we go, two people want to be an oyster.”

“You guys are in your early 20s. Of course, you dont want to be an oyster. That’s the beauty of life. The fact that you are imperfect and you make mistakes to learn from them.”

Right then and there I was like, “Yeah… I don’t want to be an oyster. I’m so glad I’m not an oyster.

 “That’s the luxury of being 20-something, you think you’re going to live forever.” - Professor Q, before our wills & estate planning lecture.

Today is officially my last day as a student at the University of Texas at Austin

After talking about business entities in my final business law & ethics lecture, Professor Q wanted to leave us with some final messages. I’d like to share them with you, also providing a reminder to myself whenever I need it.

He told us how coming here every Tuesday and Thursday, was his safe space. With everything that’s happening in our city, country, and across the world, he knew he could come in here, and teaching us was what made everything worth it to him.

Professor Q’s final messages

1. Don’t be an asshole

This is easier for some than others. 

He brought up the example of letting someone into your lane when driving when they’re signaling. Don’t be an asshole and speed up. We’re all humans with our own destinations to go to. It won’t cost you more than two seconds to be nice. We all just want to go home.

2. You have a voice, use it

Enough said. Don’t let people speak over you when you have something important to say. 

I really respect Dr. Q in this regard because, throughout the semester, he made sure each of the 100 students in that class participated in our discussions and class case examples. He emphasized on the first day that we should not be scared of saying the wrong thing, because at least we were trying. 

3. No matter what you do or where you do, keep pushing

Don’t ever stay stagnant. He showed us a photo of his dad and told us his life story. From working his ass off, getting rejected from his initial university in 1970, and how it propelled him to be a leader in his field and staying humble. It was a reminder that it’s not about what shots are thrown at you, but it’s how you take it and move forward. I recommend watching Kara Lawson’s, Women’s Basketball Coach at Duke, speech “Handle Hard Better”.

I went up to the front of the class to tell him thank you. “Growing up, watching Boy Meets World, I always hoped to have professors like Mr. Feeny and I felt like you were Mr. Feeny for all of us. Thank you, Professor Q.” 

As I was leaving the lecture hall, ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears started playing on the overhead speakers. I can’t make this up. I’m living in a movie.

This photo was taken on the first day of this semester and now it’s my last week of college. So very much sentimental, don’t get me started. The One Tree Hill soundtrack got me through these past couple of months.

“I hope you all find joy and love in your lives. I hope you all enjoy life. You are all dismissed.” - Professor Q

XOXO

- Viv ❀