Taylor Made: And the Boneyard flows on, regardless

12/18/2017 Taylor Tucker

Written by Taylor Tucker

Near the crater, Fall 2013
Near the crater, Fall 2013
[Editor's note: This marks Taylor's 100th blog post!]

Congratulations to everyone on the completion of another semester! The end of the semester often comes as a relief, a lifted weight, a time for celebration. Some of us, myself included, are finishing out our final semester of undergrad. And so I’d like to address my fellow graduates.

Our alma mater bears the salutation, “To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings.”  I followed in my dad’s footsteps coming here, and have always regarded that message as though it’s him talking to me. I realized only recently that, depending on where I end up going to grad school, I may be joining the ranks of the happy children of the past very soon. And if not now, then inevitably after a couple more years.

Talbot Lab, Spring 2014
Talbot Lab, Spring 2014
Soon we will all share the distinction of graduating from the University of Illinois, a school recognized worldwide for its excellence in engineering. Whether or not we have anything else in common, we will all find ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder alongside countless other children who passed through before us.

I believe that life is meant for passionately experiencing the gift of each day and I hope that everyone has found opportunity to enjoy the best of Illinois. College is infamous for being an institution of influence and transformation, and graduation will mark an irrevocable change, however big or small, in everyday life. You’ve spent the past four years pushing a boulder up a mountain, but unlike Sisyphus, you now have the pleasure of establishing its immortal throne for all to see.

Tesla coil concert, Spring 2015
Tesla coil concert, Spring 2015
What’s your next move?

Maybe your education will continue in grad school, maybe you’re going into industry. Maybe you’re staying here and maybe you’re never coming back. Whatever the case, your place in this school will never be the same again.  And that honor has been well earned.  

“Something good will come out of all things yet. And it will be golden and eternal, just like that. There’s no need to say another word.” –Jack Kerouac, Big Sur

Photos by Taylor Tucker.

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Lightning over Beckman Institute, Fall 2016
Lightning over Beckman Institute, Fall 2016

Full moon, Spring 2017
Full moon, Spring 2017

Oncoming storm, Fall 2017
Oncoming storm, Fall 2017


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This story was published December 18, 2017.