3 Victory Lessons from Freeman Hrabowski

Freeman Hrabowski III is the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), a research institution recognized as one of the most innovative in the country.

When Freeman Hrabowski III was 12 years old in 1963 he took part in Martin Luther King's Children's Crusade. Soon into the march he was swept up in a mass arrest and incarcerated for 5 days.

Dr. King told the group its actions would have a positive impact on children not yet born.  Though he didn't fully grasp King's vision at the time, Hrabowski said the leader's words inspired him.



Today, it is Hrabowski delivering the inspiration.  We were privileged enough to attend a graduation where Hrabowski was the commencement speaker.  We gleaned three lessons from his speech and we'd like to share them with you:

ONE
Watch What You Post Online
Social networking sites are a great way to stay connected with friends and family yet they can increase your exposure to people with less-than-friendly intentions.

Watch what you post online because it could cost you a job.  There is evidence that makes it clear that recruiters are inspecting profiles, posts, and tweets.  Are you exposing information that would turn employers off?

TWO 
To Whom Much is Given Much is Expected
The inspiration for this message can be found in Luke 12:48: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." Hrabowski reminded students to practice daily gratitude and to be thankful for all that they have been given.

The first step is to be thankful and the second step is to understand how we can positively impact the world and create a legacy based on the gifts we have been given.

THREE
Never Stop Learning
Every teacher faces moments when it seems impossible to engage students.  Many teachers lack the knowledge or experience to use modern technology in their classroom in the same manner as other tools, such as textbooks, the whiteboard and charts.

This is not a problem for Hrabowski: He is texting with students, in French.  He recently learned to speak the language and more importantly he is implementing his newly acquired skill into his current use of modern technology.