The Ryerson Student Life Last Lecture Series
On March 27th, 2018, Ryerson Student Life hosted their fourth annual Last Lecture. The Last Lecture, based on Dr. Randy Pausch鈥檚 last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in 2007, challenges speakers to answer one question: 鈥淚f this were your last time to address a group of students, what would you say to them?鈥� This year, BA English student Tony Carlucci was selected to speak at the event.
Tony鈥檚 very personal speech described his struggle with alcoholism in his teen years and how he turned himself around. Tony connected the change in his life with self-actualization as articulated in Maslow鈥檚 hierarchy of needs. Maslow鈥檚 hierarchy of needs identifies belonging as being foundational for developing the self-esteem that allows self-actualization 鈥� a belief that one is 鈥済ood enough鈥� that leads individuals to lead their best lives. Tony described his time at Ryerson as being part of the process of cultivating his 鈥済arden of good enough鈥�: 鈥淔inally, I belonged . . .at Ryerson I used assignments, class participation, course union events, and volunteer work to water my seed of 鈥渨orth it鈥�. Ryerson is the place we are allowed to try and fail . . the place to turn desire into becoming . . . At Ryerson, the opportunity to become our best selves is right now.鈥�
Speaking directly to soon-to-be graduates, Tony challenged them to adopt a new definition of success based on what they have learned while at Ryerson 鈥� the fundamental belief that they are 鈥済ood enough鈥�, no matter what obstacles, burdens or tests that they are about to face: 鈥淣ever give up on yourselves鈥�, he reminded them. 鈥淵ou are worth it.鈥�
Thank you, Tony for planting the 鈥渟eed of good enough鈥�. We are very proud of you!