Saying that the speech remained as vibrant and important to them now as it was 15 years ago, members of University of Virginias class of 1998 reported this week that they continue to regularly draw inspiration, reassurance, and inner strength from the commencement address delivered by Governor Jim Gilmore. Class members told reporters that they still become awestruck and overcome with emotion whenever they reflect on Gov. Gilmores stirring message of responsibility, resourcefulness, and charity. According to the UVA alumni, the lessons they gleaned from the speech continue to inform each decision they make, with all unanimously agreeing that Gilmores words have, every single day since graduation, motivated them to lead better lives. I still get chills thinking of all the things Jim Gilmore said to us that day, said class of 98 graduate Michael Kellogg, stating that he typically recalls Gilmores exhortation to become an active, well-rounded member of society between 10 and 20 times per day. Whenever Im facing a difficulty in my life or just feeling down, I simply close my eyes and think back to Jim Gilmore standing up on that podium and telling us, In a world filled with limitations of one kind or another at every turn, it is very important for all of us to seek and find better and better ways to define excellence and then to achieve it. When you hear words as eloquent, original, and profoundly moving as those, it changes your life forever. Everything Ive doneeverything I amis because of Jim Gilmores speech, Kellogg added. The 1998 UVA graduates told reporters that they consider the onetime Virginia attorney generals address on the values of self-reliance and public service among the greatest moments in their lives. Saying they would never forget Gilmores indelible words, the former students asserted that such maxims as success comes from hard work and mental discipline and do not become self-absorbed and interested only in gaining wealth were undoubtedly the most cherished and influential pieces of counsel they had ever received. Members of the 1998 class also confirmed that the former Henrico County prosecutors advice had only grown more valuable in the last decade and a half. According to the alumni, Gilmores calls to make the world a better place served as a profound awakening for all of them, opening their eyes for the first time to their own immense potential while also fostering deep personal growtha growth that they acknowledged has only continued as they discover more nuance and insight in the speech with each passing year. In addition, sources said they routinely reminisce with classmates about Gilmores lighthearted yet poignant stories concerning his own experiences as an undergraduate at UVA, with many admitting that they frequently quote entire sections of the speech verbatim in their daily lives and others acknowledging that they have adopted many of Gilmores inspirational phrases as their own personal credos. Once we learned that Jim GilmoreGovernor Jim Gilmorewould deliver our commencement speech, we had extremely high expectations, but he completely blew them out of the water, said alumna Marsha Powell, noting that she and her fellow graduates still regularly encourage one another to continue striving for greatness, just as the one-term Virginia governor wanted of them. Everyone in our class can point to his speech as the exact moment when we knew we could achieve our dreams, stand on our own two feet, and better mankind. That speech has become a part of who we are, not just as UVA alums, but as human beings. Sometimes Ill run into another 98 grad and well just look at each other and say Gilmore, Powell continued. And thats all we have to say. Just that name alone means everything. The roughly 3,600 class members agreed that they were tremendously fortunate to have heard the one-time Benedetti, Gilmore, Warthen and Dalton law partner speak that day, describing his address as a timeless fount of wisdom and proudly asserting that they would hand down Gilmores sage advice on civic involvement to their children and grandchildren. A friend of mine who graduated from Portland State University that same year had Bill Clinton at her commencement, but I cant imagine anything could compare to the speech that Jim Gilmore gave, said Eric Sheffield, who added that he rarely goes more than two or three days without rereading the transcript of Gilmores speech he keeps pinned above his desk as a source of inspiration and courage. I honestly dont know where I would be today if it werent for his advice that we work to make the world a better place. Thats a powerful, unforgettable message for which I am eternally grateful and indebted. As Jim Gilmore himself said, Your education, your liberty, and your duty all go hand in hand, Sheffield continued, his eyes welling up with tears. And you know what? They do. They really, really do. 