COMMENCEMENT 2000 [*] AND THE 'D' GENERATION.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern
• Position: Brief Article

Some of the most brilliant students in the history of the planet graduate from high school this month. They are of the "d" generation. We have had the "now" generation, and the "x" generation; but they are of the d-igital generation. They are bright, innovative beyond all imaginings, in a hurry to make money--lots of it--and were born with a mouse at their fingertips. A few of the lucky ones will be signed on at business techno companies for "go to work bonuses" in the high five figures. They know all about computers, but very little about business, and that's not cool. That's the challenge to us of the "g" (geezer) generation. Business owes it to the new grads to teach them about business ethics, economics and hard work. Used to be, high school grads went to college or to the workplace knowing something about the grown-up world. We can not take that for granted in this world. And it's not the grads' fault. I don't know whose fault it is. I just know that it is.

When we hire on new grads, we should take the time to teach them about how we began or are continuing our businesses. Benevolently, look them right in the eye and make sure they understand that you are trying to understand them--and that it's a two way street. Also remember, we probably know a whole lot more about a lot of things they've never heard of or never been taught at school or college. And try to understand that it's probably not their fault. The world is full of treachery, and worldly as they may be, they still have innocence.

Every year Beloit College in Wisconsin profiles the high school graduating class. Here' what they've learned about the national Graduating Class of 2000:

* This year's graduates were born in 1982.

* They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan era and did not know that he was ever shot.

* They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged.

* Black Monday 1987 has no more significance to them than the Great Depression.

* There has been only one Pope.

* They can really only remember one President.

* They were pre-teens when the Soviet Union broke apart and can not remember the Cold War.

* They have never feared a nuclear war and "The Day After" for them refers to a pill, not a movie.

* They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up and Tianamen Square has no meaning for them.

* Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

* Bottle caps have always been screw-off and plastic.

* Atari predates them, as well as vinyl albums.

* The...