Congratulations! You have achieved something that more than 80 percent of Americans never accomplish. You have a credential that will last you for decades to come. Use it wisely.

Now think about this: We have tremendous challenges in this country and so we need to rekindle the intellectual and innovative fires that made the U.S. what you and I enjoy today. The vast majority of Americans want urgently to come together and they long to see the kind of leadership that will make this happen. So, whatever you can do to advance the concept of leadership in this country will be important.

Leadership starts with integrity. Everything else is in second place.

As you read this, the leaders in our country seem to have no interest in coming together. You can change that by calling on them to talk things through with both their colleagues and their opponents to find universal solutions that take our country forward.

How can you do this?

Make phone calls to your local public officials. Reach out to your elected state representatives. Send your Congress person and senator letters. Give a talk on leadership before an organization in your community. Send a copy of the speech to your representative and senator. Publicize it in the press. Put it on social media.

If you do these simple things, you will be making a remarkable contribution to our country that could have an impact for decades to come.

Go for it!