The best life a human being can live is one that involves a friendship with God.
That’s what philosophy professor Jim Taylor told a crowd of Westmont College graduates on Saturday.
“I encourage you to make your life a pilgrimage toward deeper and deeper friendship with God,” he said. “Make Jesus your guide. Practice what Jesus taught so you can become more like him and closer to God. And walk with other pilgrims you have invited to join the pilgrimage.
“If you do these things, you will live the best possible life a human being can live.”
Taylor was the commencement speaker for the Class of 2025 Westmont graduation at Thorrington Field.
The Class of 2025 verse was: “With God are wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.” (Job 12:13)
Taylor talked about what it means to live a good life and how various philosophers over the years have defined it.
Taylor said it would be good to first figure out where it would be good to end up in life and then “you can find a way to get there.”
“We have all heard stories about people who have achieved wealth, power or fame, without also achieving happiness,” he said. “These things may be good as means but are bad as ends.”
Taylor said to the crowd, “I want to be able to say that I lived a good life, but what is a good life? What does human life well-lived look like?”
“If you do these things, you will live the best possible life a human being can live,” Taylor said.
Taylor is retiring this year after 31 years at Westmont. He graduated from the college as did all three of his children.
John Davies, owner of Davies Public Affairs, was the 2025 Westmont Medal Recipient.
Davies said the first time he came to the campus in 1975 it took his breath away. He was there to visit his sister and her husband’s family after graduate school.
“Westmont has greatly influenced these last five decades of my life,” Davies said.
“From graduates who have worked with us, including interns, to alums who would become valued clients and strategic clients, to the college itself being a client,” Davies said.
Dr. Gayle Beebe, president of Westmont, said the graduation was to honor and celebrate the diligent labor and great accomplishments of today’s graduates.
“Four years ago, you began the long and arduous journey of working to grow academically, spiritually, emotionally and socially,” Beebe said. “Today we celebrate this wonderful accomplishment, and as you leave the field as Westmont graduates you are ready to embark on a life as thoughtful scholars, grateful servants and faithful leaders.”
Want to celebrate a graduate in your life? Submit your own graduation announcement to Noozhawk’s Class of 2025 showcase.
