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<\/a>\u201cAcquiring expertise is a process of brain development that only comes about through strenuous and prolonged exercise of the brain in the right way,\u201d Wieman said. \u201cJust like a muscle develops when it is used strenuously, the brain, when pushed hard, responds by changing and getting better. And, similar to a muscle, it is that process of putting great demands on [the brain] that causes it to respond and improve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said research has revealed that it takes about 10,000 hours of intense, concentrated mental practice to become a world-class expert in any established field, whether or not a person shows early talent in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is a real value to all that very hard work you did, that straining to make sense of those strange, new ideas at 2 in the morning,\u201d Wieman said. \u201cYour brain has literally grown and rewired itself as a result, so that it is different and better, with new capabilities it did not have when you first arrived on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior keynote speaker Alec Storrie-Lombardi talked about the close friendships and mentoring relationships that impacted his experience at HMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReputation-wise, Mudd is seen as a place that molds students into exceptional professionals in industry or academics through use of a very rigorous curriculum,\u201d Storrie-Lombardi said. \u201cBut the important thing is that we do it together, whether it\u2019s working in a team, or side by side; whether stopping by for office hours for help, or Professor Dodds responding to an email of yours at 3 in the morning when you are freaking out over why doesn\u2019t the code work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He encouraged his classmates to tackle their next challenge eagerly. \u201cWhat we\u2019ve accomplished so far is no small feat. Be proud of what you\u2019ve done and confident in what you are going to do,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026We are about to take a plunge off the pier, except, this time, we are ready. This time we are prepared. This time, I say \u2018waters of the world beware, because the Harvey Mudd Class of 2013 is going to make quite a splash.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glen Hastings \u201993 welcomed the new graduates into the HMC Alumni Association. President Maria Klawe described the values and attitudes students develop at HMC that prepare them to take on major challenges and succeed: lack of fear of failure; commitment to everyone\u2019s success; excellence without arrogance; delight in learning; and, a willingness to challenge accepted ideas and approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFear of failure is what stops many people from trying to do great things. But, at Mudd, everyone gets many opportunities to fail and to learn from those failures. And to learn to ask for help, and to learn to give help,\u201d Klawe said. \u201cThat understanding\u2014of helping others succeed, and being a part of a group that succeeds together\u2014is probably the most valuable thing you can take with you for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>
\u201cMudders are professors and teachers at all levels of education from the sciences to the humanities, engineers and scientists across hundreds of disciplines around the globe, entrepreneurs, business leaders, futurists, doctors, attorneys, astronauts, Oscar Award winners and Tony Award winners,\u201d Hastings said. \u201cAs you look at the Mudders to your left and to your right, remember, these are people that will change the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>