'A Sanctuary For Storytellers'

In 1874, the English polymath Sir Francis Galton coined the term “nature v. nurture” in his quest to understand personal identity formation. Since then, scholars have vigorously debated the impact of nature v. nurture by asking the question — are we the product of our genes or are we the product of our environment? But the nature-nurture debate overlooks a third transformative factor, and that is narrative. We don’t control nature or nurture in our lives, we don’t choose where we were born or how we were raised. But we are the authors of our own narrative, and we are constantly writing the pages of our own story. Ultimately, our lives are defined by the stories that we tell about ourselves and about our world — stories of meaning and purpose, stories of hope and redemption, stories that heal us and make us whole again. Today we come together to inaugurate and consecrate Wallis Annenberg Hall, a sacred space for storytelling,and a sanctuary for storytellers. For it is right here at Wallis Annenberg Hall that the ancient craft of storytelling will converge with the future of digital media. And it is right here, at Wallis Annenberg Hall,that the spirit of creativity, innovation and possibility, will animate and inspire new stories about journalism, communication and diplomacy. Winston Churchill famously said, “We shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us.” May this magnificent building shape our school and our society so that we place communication at the center of our lives and all that we do. May this stunning architecture and inventive layout foster an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality for all who learn, teach, and grow here. May the Annenberg Foundation continue to shine as a global beacon for education, empowerment and the arts. And may we all say together Amen. —Varun Soni is Dean of Religious Life at USC.