This commencement address, entitled A Transforming Excellence, was given on April 27th, 2023, by Andrew Teal, a chaplain fellow and lecturer in theology at Pembroke College, Oxford University.

Elder and Sister Christofferson, President and Sister Wortham, President Designate and Sister Reese, church authorities, faculty, fellow graduates, thank you for inviting us to be part of this immensely special day for you all at Brigham Young University.

As an Englishman, we don't use the word commencement.

Graduation is what we say.

Commencement is a new term for me, a fruitful and dynamic idea.

Commencement for graduation can imply something different, a launch pad rather than a conclusion.

So thank you for this honorary award.