I was a very fortunate parent and privileged to attend the graduation exercises at Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C., this past November 10, 2015. It was the occasion of my daughter Tamara Louise Verigin-Burk’s graduation with a Master’s degree in Leadership.

The ceremony was awesome and very significant in the life of our daughter but along with the process we were able to personally meet the Chancellor of Royal Roads, Dr. Strandlund. He just casually walked up to our family group and started chatting. It was later in the conversation that he introduced himself after asking Tamara questions as to how she found the professors and the Royal Roads education system. He was very interested in her responses. We were impressed with his simplicity and humility.

It was with great interest, on my part, when I inspected the “tiny” ticket that we were provided with to enter the theatre, when I read the “fine print” to appreciate the message thereon:

AVOID     PRACTICE   WORKS OF MERCY

Anger       Patience       Feed the hungry
Greed       Generosity   Give drink to the thirsty
Gluttony  Moderation Clothe the naked
Jealousy   Confidence  Shelter strangers
Laziness   Diligence     Solace the sick
Lust           Dignity         Minister to prisoners
Pride          Humility      Bury the dead

On the reverse of this ticket is this message:

VIRTUES         PERILS TO HUMANITY

Courage           Commerce without Morality
Justice              Knowledge without character
Prudence         Measure without Conscience
Temperance   Politics without Principle
Faith                 Science without Humanity
Hope                 Wealth without Work
Charity             Worship without Sacrifice

This message was printed on a 7.5 cm x 3.5 cm surface.

My take on this is that the Chancellor had a purpose in so doing as many people have a quick look at a ticket of this nature and find that it is a certain color and usually has little or no message. Once a curious person starts reading this coupon, one realizes that there is a real message. I for one was impressed!

Thank you Chancellor Strandlund!

1. Taken from a “ticket” to the Royal Roads University graduation ceremonies held at the Victoria, B.C., Theatre where my daughter Tamara Verigin-Burk received her Masters Degree in Leadership, November 10, 2015.
Transcribed on December 03, 2015 in my Office at 145 – 4200 Grandview Drive, Castlegar, B.C. 0915 hours by Elmer Verigin