Our illusions of safety and invulnerability were gone, our disengagement from world affairs exposed and tallied. In one sense, we cannot be faulted for seeing in the collapse of the Twin Towers, or in the demise of Enron, or in the bloody conflicts that have no end in sight, signs that things are falling apart all over the world. We cannot deny all that is wrong with the world. But neither can we conclude that all is wrong with the world. Every day we see role models of excellence, goodness and courage who bring joy, beauty, justice, and comfort to their fellow human beings. And if the world is moving in the wrong direction, then you have the obligation to help turn things around. We admitted you to Penn because we be1ieve each of you has the potential to help humanity back on course.

　　Yes, we look to you to add to the body of knowledge in your fields of study during your time at Penn; yes ,we expect you to acquire the skills, knowledge, and prowess to excel and make important contributions in your careers and professions; and yes, I have no doubt that each of you will go far on whatever professional track you choose to follow.

　　從某種意義上說, 世貿(mào)中心雙塔的傾塌、安然公司的丑行以及似乎還看不到頭的流血沖突, 都似乎讓我們看見了這世界正在四分五裂的跡象。這么說并不錯。我們不能否認這世界出現(xiàn)的任何問題, 但我們也不能據(jù)此認為這世界全是問題。每天我們都能遇見優(yōu)秀的典范人物, 遇見有德行有勇氣的人們, 他們?yōu)樽约旱幕锇閹�來歡樂、美好、正義和舒適的感覺。而且, 如果這世界正朝錯誤的方向前進, 那你們就有責任來扭轉(zhuǎn)乾坤。把你們招進賓大, 因為我們相信你們每一位都有潛力 , 使人類社會重上正軌。

　　不錯, 我們希望你們在賓大學習期間, 能增加自己專業(yè)領域的知識; 不錯, 我們期望你們能學得技能、知識和取得優(yōu)勝的能力, 在各自的職業(yè)和事業(yè)中做出重要的貢獻; 不錯, 各位將來都 一定能在自己從事的工作中做出杰出業(yè)績 , 無論你們?nèi)绾芜x擇自己的事業(yè), 對此我深信不疑。