Virginia (“Frenchie”) Bisiaux, University of Florida, April 11, 2025
Good evening, everyone.
Distinguished faculty, honored guests, proud families and friends, fellow inductees, and especially, Dr. Ryan, it is a privilege to stand before you tonight.
Before I begin, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Fischler for the great honor of being chosen to deliver the charger response. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of this extraordinary group of inductees.
Dr. Ryan, thank you for that thoughtful, dynamic, and deeply inspiring charge.
On behalf of the 2025 Phi Beta Kappa inductees, I want to sincerely thank you for your words. You did not just acknowledge our accomplishments; you reminded us of the power and potential that comes from a life built on curiosity, compassion, and connection.
You spoke of “superpowers”, skills we have gained not only through coursework, but through navigating life and learning across disciplines. I think many of us felt seen in that description. You helped us realize that education is not a narrow path. It is a winding journey that prepares us to face complexity, ask better questions, and find creative solutions.
For me, this moment holds deep personal meaning.
Before joining the U.S. Army, I worked as an EMT in New York City. I learned firsthand what it means to serve others—to act quickly, to care deeply, and to stay calm in the face of chaos.
Then, twelve years ago, while deployed in Afghanistan, I was blown up by an IED.
That day could have been the end of my story. But instead, it became the beginning of a completely new one.
My recovery wasn’t just physical. It was mental, emotional, and ultimately academic. I made a promise to myself in that dark and uncertain time: Carpe Diem—seize the day. That promise has guided me ever since by challenging me to make the most of every day, to accept the opportunities I get and to live my best life.
It brought me back to the classroom. It brought me here—standing proudly as a Phi Beta Kappa inductee. And today, it brings me into a new career with Florida State Parks, where I am honored to serve again—this time protecting and sharing Florida’s natural resources with others.
Dr. Ryan, your story resonated with me deeply. The way your work weaves through ecology, anthropology, disease modeling, and climate science, shows us the power of thinking beyond boundaries. You reminded us that real change does not happen in silos. It happens when we connect disciplines, collaborate with others, and communicate clearly and boldly.
You also spoke to something many of us feel but do not often say out loud: the weight of the world and today’s global uncertainty. And yet, you gave us something so important: hope grounded in action. Hope versed in science. Hope rooted in the belief that what we do matters.
That message is a gift.
Your charge to be kind, to stay curious, to use our superpowers for good, is one we take to heart. In the spirit of the Phi Beta Kappa motto, “Love of learning is the guide of life,” we promise to keep learning, to keep growing, and to keep stepping forward with both humility and courage.
I will continue to live by Carpe Diem, not just as a motto, but as a mission. And I hope each of us finds our own way to show up, make a difference, and honor the privilege of being here, now, together.
Thank you again for your example, your insight, and your charge.
And to my fellow inductees: congratulations. Let’s go forward and do good.
Go Gators!