Mary Theroux’s Speech During the Ceremony for Honor Graduates (November 2024)

Luisa Marroquín  | 08 de noviembre de 2024  | Vistas: 3

During a distinguished ceremony at Universidad Francisco Marroquín’s annual awards event, Mary Theroux was presented with an Honorary Doctorate, acknowledging her dedication to promoting liberty and ethical principles throughout her career. In her acceptance speech, Theroux addressed graduating students and their families, reflecting on the importance of integrity, hard work, and finding personal satisfaction in both life and career. Rather than simply following a singular passion, she encouraged graduates to embrace every opportunity with dedication, curiosity, and a willingness to grow.

Many people urge graduates to follow their passion, but it took me a long time to find mine." — Mary Theroux

Theroux emphasized that her journey was shaped by her dedication to each role and task, from a file clerk to an English teacher, with each position imparting invaluable life lessons that helped her grow both professionally and personally. She shared a childhood memory, recounting a story she wrote at age seven, where she captured her family’s strong work ethic while expressing her own desire to balance work with play and thoughtfulness. She explained that this philosophy reinforced the idea of meaningful success in her career by combining diligence, joy, and reflective thought.

Work, work, work; but don’t forget to play and think." — Mary Theroux

The honoree shared stories from her professional experiences from working as a file clerk and teaching English to running a struggling business, each role providing valuable lessons for her life. Ultimately, these experiences led her to the Independent Institute, where she discovered her passion for promoting freedom and individual rights, often alongside her late husband, David Theroux. Together, they dedicated themselves to the pursuit of liberty, a commitment some might call tireless, but one she views as her life’s joy and purpose."She also emphasized the significance of balance, recalling how she and her husband prioritized time with family, deep thinking, and philosophical exploration.

In conclusion, Theroux reminded graduates the value of standing firm in their beliefs and defending individual liberties. Citing influential thinkers like Hayek and the teachings of Christ, she emphasized that understanding one’s core values can help navigate life’s uncertainties and challenges. She warned of the risks of compromising integrity for professional gains, urging graduates to remain faithful to truth and uphold ethical standards.

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