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Volume CXXXII, Number 23 |
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Bowdoin's gladdening light
TODD BUELL
COLUMNIST
As I revealed in a column last year (April 12, 2002), I am a lover of British church music. One of my favorite hymns is called "Hail Gladdening Light" by Charles Wood. The eponymous subject in the hymn is Jesus. The hymn speaks of Him as being "Holiest of holies" and then shifts its focus to the "sun's hour of rest." The piece is in essence an affirmation of the light of God's love, as the light of nature comes to its end and the uncertainty of darkness begins. Though it is not the point of the hymn, I find that light can also carry secular symbolism that is hopeful and inspirational as graduation, and its inherent uncertainty, approaches.
As some may know from their prospective-student tour, Bowdoin's symbol is the sun-the provider of light. I know of two reasons for this. The commonly known reason is that we are historically the eastern-most college in the United States, and hence, the first to see the sun rise in the morning.
However, we cannot divorce Bowdoin's symbol from the time period in which the College was founded: the Enlightenment. Bowdoin received its charter in 1794, a year that falls only five years after historian Peter Gay declared the Enlightenment's conclusion. In the Enlightenment, symbols of light represented the power of knowledge and concepts that we continue to expand: scientific discoveries, classical political liberalism, Constitutional government, and religious toleration all come to mind.
If one thinks of Bowdoin's light as being the total of those values and spirits that we acquire in our time here, then this past week allowed me many moments to think about the enduring memories and lessons of Bowdoin. I see all of the parts of this weekend's experiences as being elements of the aggregate Bowdoin Light; that which I hope remains active within me forever.
Last Thursday, I attended a YALP dinner and reception with students, administration, and alumni. As someone about to embark on "the real world," it was refreshing to see many alumni who are eager to give back to the College. These were men and women of different ages and backgrounds, but they all shared a palpable spirit of community that brought them together in support of Bowdoin.
This weekend I participated in the festivities of Ivies Weekend. It may seem strange to speak equally of an urbane and restrained dinner and an unbridled and Dionysian weekend. However, in Ivies Weekend I find a spirit of collegiality and camaraderie that I believe has value. We come together in support of athletic teams, charities, and college bands. We gather with our friends and socialize for more than a day. For those who can keep the drinking to moderate levels, it is indeed an emancipating weekend and one that tends to leave the student here with many positive memories.
Earlier this week, I witnessed Chris Hill's '74 acceptance speech for the Hargraves Prize for the "Preservation of Freedom." Listening to his remarks, one could indeed sense the permanent light of the spirit of the Common Good-a spirit that is beneficent and magnanimous. It is inspirational to meet a man who is both so accomplished and so humble. It is clear from his life that he has shown much courage and skill in promoting America's ideals in his work in the Foreign Service. However, he still remembers his roots to the point that he stopped one of his speeches here, mid-sentence, to acknowledge his college roommate sitting in the audience.
I see these three spirits: that of community, collegiality, and the Common Good as resulting in the aggregate spirit of endless learning that our symbol of light ultimately represents. I suspect the most important lesson that we will all acquire while here is the inadequacy of humans to solve all of the mysteries that life presents us. Tocqueville once wrote of Pascal that the great 17th Century French philosopher and mathematician died of old age at 39, because he tried to solve all of the mysteries of the world. This anecdote illustrates the Sisyphean situation that Bowdoin leaves us with: We must always ask questions and we will never find ultimate answers.
However, we should look at this conundrum optimistically. To know that our learning is enduring is also to know that our possibilities for exploration will never be extinguished. I cannot help but think of what my priest once told me when I was younger. He quoted his own college philosophy professor who once told him "the truth shuts your mind." Four years of college makes me think this professor was right.
To know that answers remain to thousands of problems is inspirational. That fact alone means that the talents of everyone in my class will find good use. I look forward to returning to reunions and seeing the accomplishments of everyone in my class. The anticipation of that moment is a reminder to me that the spirits and lessons of Bowdoin are permanent. Its light is indeed gladdening.
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