Metropolitan Police Department: Serving and Succeeding in a World Without Walls-Page 1

Chief Charles H. Ramsey delivered the following statement at the National-Louis University, Northern Virginia/Washington, DC Campus Commencement Ceremony on June 1, 2002.

Thank you very much for that kind introduction, and good morning to all of you.

As Chief of Police in our Nation's Capital, I get invited to deliver a lot of speeches each year. (And if you've turned on your television set in the last week, you know I don't have much trouble getting on the news either.) But to be asked to deliver this commencement address - to a group of probably the hardest working students in the Washington DC area - is truly an honor and a privilege for me. And I am delighted to be part of this special occasion.

I first want to congratulate the faculty, staff and administrators of National-Louis University-Northern Virginia/Washington, DC Campus. As a native Chicagoan, I am certainly familiar with the "old" National College of Education. It was always one of those jewels that not everyone had heard about, but those who had, certainly recognized this was a school known for academic excellence and leadership.

Quite frankly, I was not aware that the humble little teachers college I knew from Evanston, Illinois, had grown into an international university with 15 campuses around the world, including this one in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. What I find most impressive about the growth of National-Louis University is how true you have remained to your core mission, of preparing individuals for a lifetime of learning, of service and of leadership. Today's graduating class is a reflection of that noble and really timeless mission, customized and updated for the unique needs of the students you serve in this region. So congratulations to Executive Director Susan Shumate, and all of the staff and faculty of this campus, for making this university and its students such a vital part of the Washington, DC community.

I also want to congratulate all of the families members and loved ones who are here today, joining in this celebration - the husbands and wives, sons and daughters, parents, siblings, significant others, bosses, co-workers and everyone else who has supported our graduates in their academic, as well as their professional and personal, pursuits. I don't think people always understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by the family members of people trying to juggle career, school, family life and other obligations. Very few of today's graduates would be sitting where you are without the love and support of your families and friends.This may be a little unusual, but I would like to ask all the graduates to please stand, turn around, and give your family members and other guests a big round of applause for all they have done for you. And, of course, I want to congratulate all of today's graduates for a job very well done. By your being here today - by being able to walk across this stage in a few minutes and receive your diplomas - you are all heroes in my book.

I know, from personal experience, all about that balancing act of career, school, family, relationships, and other obligations. As you heard in my introduction, I received my bachelor's and master's degrees from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, in 1990 and 1991, respectively. But at the same time I was going to school, studying criminal justice, I was also out on the South and West sides of Chicago practicing criminal justice - tracking down gang-bangers and dope dealers and other assorted criminals.