Blog Post #6

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture 

Every corner we turn in life there awaits new obstacles and successes.  Dr. Randolph Pausch was diagnosed with cancer and told that he has only several months to live.  An esteemed lecturer, he is giving his last lecture to the faculty and select students, but recorded for everyone to enjoy even after his passing. He gave this last lecture at the university on September 18,2007 in the McConomy Auditorium. He passed away July 25,2008. This last lecture about his lessons learned and advice for others on how to fully embrace and achieve those dreams will leave you in awe. 

Pausch speaks a great deal about his childhood especially during football games and practices.  One practice in particular the coach forced him to work on "fundamentals". He reminded Pausch of how many people were in possession of the football at any given time, and it was the that approach that he became most familiar with the football field.  To this day, he is still more comfortable on a football field than anywhere else.  Also, teaching him that the more someone rode you the more they believed in you; that once they stop saying anything that means that they have given up. 

He also gives lots of advice on how you should approach public speaking.  Through several examples, from stuffed teddy bears to wild antics he painted a picture of how a lecture should be given.   My favorite quote he said was "the inspiration and permission to dream is huge".  Dr. Pausch also spoke in a great detail about brick walls and the reason they are there.  He says they exist to make us prove exactly how badly we desire things and have a function to weed out the people who do not want it bad enough. 

He speaks of the work he's done in the virtual reality realm as well as advancing his career, but also achieving his dreams he spoke of in the beginning of the lecture through the path he's chosen.  Throughout that career he's always encouraging his students to have the most fun.  He also thinks the people that done the most for him and the people will carry on his legacy.  Yet, reminding us that these are the people that help us achieve our dreams.

I, like millions of other viewers, am inspired by his last lecture.  A great father, educator, and pioneer Dr. Pausch could captivate any audience, but his true passion was to inspire. As an educator I hope to develop several of Dr. Pausch's commendable characteristics, but his drive to inspire is my goal.  Showing my students, through my own work in the classroom that, that success is exactly what you make of it.  He loves his students most of all, but loves the work that they do in his life almost as much.  Throughout my teaching/life experience I will attempt use many of Pausch's time management tips to create an environment in my classroom that will benefit every single student that leaves those doors.