I have on a new shirt today. I bought it for this occasion. I knew you were coming. In the pocket was a note about the size of paper in fortune cookie. It said: "Inspector 18."

I have found these notes in other clothes I have purchased. I am never sure what I am supposed to do with the note. Should I save it in case I find a problem with the shirt later … like the right sleeve sewn on the left side, or the collar sewn on upside down. Should that happen I would know to call and complain to Inspector 18.

Should I throw it away? Get rid of it like wrapping paper on chewing gum? Couldn't do that; it just seemed like something you ought to keep. Put it with those "guarantee" notices you receive with electronic devices.

I am bothered by notes such as this. Two things are troubling about it. First, its anonymity troubles me. If there really is an Inspector 18, I wonder if Inspector 18 yearns for more substantial contact with customers. Wonder what would happen if Inspector 18 were to write his or her name and telephone number on that little paper, and maybe add a message like, "Good morning, Craven, hope you enjoy this shirt. If you're ever up at the shirt factory, stop in and see me." I bet I know what would happen. Inspector 18 would be called into an office, reprimanded as a troublemaker and invited to find employment elsewhere.

My second problem with the note is that the scrap of paper is utterly and deliberately without purpose. It seeks to create an illusion of accountability, without giving me, the customer, any means of recourse. What if the button holes are in front where they belong, but the buttons are in a row down the back of the shirt? Who is responsible? It was Inspector 18 who let the mistake get through. But who is Inspector 18? The truth is that no one knows who Inspector 18 is or where Inspector 18 is stationed. Furthermore, who is to say that Inspector 19 or Inspector 17 didn't get upset with Inspector 18 and deliberately damage my shirt so Inspector 18 would be blamed? What difference does it make? How do I call the shirt company and ask to speak to Inspector 18?

I am confident that the expectation is that the little slip of paper will be discarded, or if not found in the pocket, it will simply dissolve the first time the shirt is washed. It was put in merely as a formality. Its purpose was just to give the impression that there was some sort of quality control involved.

Secretly I hope it is all fiction and there is no Inspector 18. What a sad job to have if there really were an Inspector 18: never receiving any credit; never associating with anyone to whom they send their little message; never being known by a name other than Inspector 18; never given any evaluation of work.

One thing I can assure you is that Inspector 18, and indeed Inspectors 1-17, did not attend Greensboro College. At Greensboro College your name will be known by all of us in a very short while; your work will not be in isolation; there will be many organizations and groups and teams and choruses and clubs with whom you will interact and for whom you will take on leadership roles. You will be neither anonymous nor isolated. You will be an important member of a college that has launched students into exceptional careers in business, law, medicine, classroom, the ministry, home management, the arts, politics, theatre, television and many more. And should our nation call for your services in the military, we will light a candle for you and place it in a window at the Welcome Center until you return to us.

We hope each of you - Emily, Tracy, Thomas, Latasha, Hope, David, Tom, Dick and Harry - whatever your name, we hope you will join us for a most meaningful experience of life as a student at Greensboro College.