1983
Dr. Macchiarola gave countless commencement speeches during his lifetime. This speech, given at Poly Prep Country Day School, is one of three he gave in 1983. The themes varied but in all of them Dr. Macchiarola tried to impart some wisdom to his audience and instill a sense of purpose to the graduating class.
In this speech Dr. Macchiarola begins by giving somewhat straightforward advice about making new friends "You will meet the honest and the faithful- you will meet the conniver and the exploiter, be prepared to tell them apart; Be prepared to choose friends and the terms of friendship." He warns against "distractions" and the "temptation to defer work, and embrace leisure."
The crux of his talk however, touches upon the importance of immersing oneself in new ideas and other points of view and engaging with them in the struggle to develop a personal philosophy and then be able to present it to the world. He shares an anecdote imparted to him by one of his professors "Not only can't you place your feet in the same water twice- attesting to the significance of change- but your feet are also not the same. Just as the water moves and changes- so does your body and soul. Not at the same pace but changing nevertheless."