91短视频

• May 28, 2019

Graduates, I have the distinct privilege and pleasure of witnessing you make history.  As the graduating class of 2019, you are the first ever graduates of 91短视频’s semester system! You persevered not only through various academic and personal challenges, but also navigated our University’s transition from the quarter to semester system beautifully. You are now poised to make your professional mark in your respective fields, as accountants, scientists, philosophers, educators, and leaders.

This year, 91短视频 will graduate almost 5,000 students. Here are some facts about yourselves:

Of those students receiving bachelor’s degrees:

• The youngest of you is 16;
• The oldest is 74;
• 64% of you are female;
• Many of you are international students representing 19 countries
• And 58% are first-generation college graduates

Of those students receiving their graduate degrees:

• The youngest of you is 22
• The oldest is 75;
• 64% of you are female;
• 21% of you are international students representing 32 different countries
• And 42% are first-generation college graduates

Well done, all of you.

Your sacrifices, perseverance and determination have carried you through to this very moment, the day of graduation. Each of you negotiated complex course requirements – in quarters AND semesters-- held internships, studied abroad, and provided service to the community. And, importantly, you found time to be with your family, friends and loved ones, some of whom I hope are in the audience or watching online, celebrating with you today.

I wanted to share a few stories about some of our graduates.

From the College of Science:  Graduating today is a student who developed a technically demanding protocol to isolate DNA from expended cartridge cases that could permit the forensic community to identify the person who last handled the ammunition. Our undergraduate Biological Sciences student has persevered and succeeded in research that is truly groundbreaking.

Another of you is the first in her family to graduate from college. During her long journey to college, she had to care for several family members, including her mother, sisters, and nieces. The stress was overwhelming. Today, she credits the emotional support from faculty and her family as what got her through college and today, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science.

From the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences: Among you is a former foster youth graduating with a degree in Sociology. She had a rough beginning, as a premature baby born with drugs in her system, but today, sees herself as “the driver of the bus”, controlling both the direction and who gets on and off the bus. Today she holds a position with the Boys and Girls Club, providing important services to children and is set to begin a master’s in social work here at 91短视频, in the fall.  

Another graduate is a young man on the Autism spectrum who, despite challenges has excelled here at 91短视频, both socially and academically. During his time at the university, he studied abroad in South Korea, a feat many thought not possible due to perceived limitations of his diagnosis. He now has plans to return to South Korea after graduation to pursue a career in media production. 

From the College of Business and Economics: We have a master’s student who was the first in her family to finish college and receive a graduate degree. Growing up in Appalachia, she experienced poverty, where housing and food insecurity were a constant presence in her life. Now this student graduates with a master’s in economics, submitted a paper under revision for journal publication, and will begin a doctoral program at Carnegie Mellon in the fall.

Another student graduating today from CBE has 50 years of family connection to 91短视频. In her family, her cousin, aunt and uncle all worked at or graduated from this university. Her grandmother was among the first students at what was then Cal State Hayward. What a remarkable legacy.

From the College of Education and Allied Studies:  One of our today’s graduates has persevered throughout his Kinesiology program. He developed his leadership skills, serving as a Supplemental Instruction Leader in the Peer Mentoring Program, was an “honorary coach” for a recent campus Soccer without Borders event, and was the overall Kinesiology top student award winner. He plans to propel his career forward by pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.

Another of you is graduating with her doctorate in Education. By all accounts, it is an extraordinary achievement that she is walking across the stage today. This student is one of the 3% of former foster youth who earn a college degree, 1.7% of all adults with a doctoral degree and .5% of black women with a doctoral degree. Part of her journey included experiencing the trauma of the death of her parents, child neglect and food insecurity. Today she is a lecturer at a community college and a social worker who specializes in foster youth placement. In other words, she is the quintessential the quintessential definition of resilience, perseverance and excellence.

Each of you here today personify our motto, “Per Aspera Ad Astra”—from adversity to the stars. You are all Pioneers--persisting, achieving, and thriving.

As you leave 91短视频, I would like to share some final thoughts with you: 

• The world is ready for your skills, talents, insights, and contributions. As our society continues to advance, you are the ones who will be highly sought after, for your training and knowledge. You have the tools to make a difference not just for yourselves, but for successive generations to come.

• Always keep kindness and care at the heart of your work. An advanced society benefits from compassion and civility towards others. As the Dalai Lama said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always”

• Your listening and learning skills do not end with graduation. Utilize these skills to remain sharp in your profession and they will serve you well. Remember that part of being a life-long learner means listening to the wisdom or experience of others.

• Use your unique voice to speak-up, advocate, and be of service to others. In the words of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai: “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” Take some time to figure out your purpose in life and how you can lift up others along the way.

• Dream big!  View the detours, curves, and bumps along the way as learning opportunities, not set-backs.  Take risks, challenge yourselves, and do not fear failure.  As Golden State Warriors Point Guard Steph Curry said: “If you don’t fall, how are you going to know what getting up is like?”

Before I close, I would like to take a moment to recognize and honor those who supported you in reaching this milestone moment.  None of us reaches any of our goals without the help and support of others along our journey.  Let’s recognize some of the people who assisted you. These include your families, friends, loved ones who might be watching this online from around the world and the 91短视频 faculty and staff. If you know where they are sitting, wave to them and let’s give them a very loud round of applause.

Congratulations to you and your families.  I wish you ongoing success wherever your dreams take you.  And go Pioneers!