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Inspiring Values from Dr. Rigsby's Speech

May 15, 2025

Commencement Speech by Dr. Rick Rigsby

Introduction

  • Speaker: Dr. Rick Rigsby, former journalist, PhD from University of Oregon, college professor at Texas A&M.
  • Notable roles: Character coach and chaplain for Texas A&M Aggies football team.
  • Current focus: Empowering people worldwide with leadership principles.
  • Author of "Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout," copies provided to graduates.

Address to Graduates

  • Congratulates graduates of Cal Maritime Academy 2017.
  • Emphasizes the rigorous and demanding curriculum of a maritime education.

Key Messages

Wisdom and Knowledge

  • Importance of combining academic knowledge with wisdom gleaned from life experiences.
  • Wisdom keeps individuals centered amidst life's challenges and enhances influence.

Impact Over Impression

  • Graduates should aim to make an impact, not just a good impression.
  • Influence is a key aspect of leadership, as noted by John Maxwell.

Lessons from a Third-Grade Dropout

  • Dr. Rigsby's father, a third-grade dropout and a cook at Cal Maritime, imparted valuable wisdom.
  • Key lessons:
    • Don't Judge - Get to know people from different backgrounds.
    • Be Early - "Better an hour early than a minute late."
    • Kindness - Kind deeds are important and influential.
    • Service Over Ego - Serve others, keep ego in check.
    • Pride and Excellence - Never settle for less than excellence. "Good enough isn't good enough if it can be better, and better isn't good enough if it can be best."

Personal Stories

  • Reflects on personal challenges, including the loss of his first wife, Trina.
  • Theme of resilience: "Keep standing" no matter the hardship.

Final Thoughts

  • Encourages graduates to seek wisdom, live with integrity, and make a positive impact.
  • "How you live in" is a question to ask daily.
  • Emphasizes the importance of making choices that honor those who have invested in you.

Conclusion

  • Dr. Rigsby closes with a reminder to seek wisdom in unexpected places and continually ask oneself "How am I living?" to ensure a life of impact and honor.

Key Quotes

  • "To whom much is given, much is required."
  • "Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less." - John Maxwell
  • "Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity."
  • "It's never wrong to do the right thing."

This speech emphasizes the importance of wisdom, resilience, service, and making a lasting impact as graduates step into the world.

Full transcript