Comments from the Student Speaker
Thank you chancellor, and thank you all for coming tonight on this very special occasion. For many of us, tonight is the culmination and a celebration of years of work, filled with frustrations and triumphs, with new experiences, and with countless memories. However, looking back at the past four years, I have begun to realize that it is the people in my life, even more so than the experiences I have had, that have defined my undergraduate experience. These individuals have shaped my path, offered me amazing opportunities, and helped me to accomplish things I could not have even attempted on my own. Tonight there are a hundred people who should be standing here with me: the chemistry professor who let a wide-eyed, clueless freshman into his research lab; my fellow students, whose remarkable accomplishments have inspired and challenged me; numerous faculty members, whose deep passion for teaching altered my perception of their field, and who had confidence in my abilities when I did not; and my parents, who have always given me unconditional love and support, even though they didn’t understand why anyone would voluntarily study chemistry.
I am sure that each of you could compile a similar list of people who have influenced your life. The types of achievements being recognized tonight cannot be attained without personal motivation and intense effort. However, they would be equally impossible without the support of others. In today’s increasingly sophisticated and interdisciplinary world, we need teachers to impart their knowledge and skills to us, both as we begin our education and throughout our careers. We turn to mentors for wisdom and advice as we navigate unfamiliar terrain. Most of all, we depend upon friends and family to provide strength and encouragement during difficult times.
The people who fill these roles in our lives are an integral component of our personal victories. These types of supportive relationships are essential for success on a larger scale as well- for the success not only of individuals, but also of institutions. Even a cursory glance at your program should be more than enough to convince you that NC State is thriving, and I sincerely believe that the reason for this is that there are so many people here who constantly give of themselves to others. NC State is not simply a place where a few highly accomplished individuals are scattered randomly across campus; it is truly a community of achievers. The strength of our university lies in our synergy and in the willingness of individuals to support the undertakings of those around them.
My purpose here tonight is two-fold. First, if I may be so presumptuous as to speak on behalf of all of the students, I would like to express our gratitude to each person here who has been involved in our lives. Thank you for all of the ways you have helped us “behind the scenes.” We will always be indebted to you, and we hope that we will be able to pass along the gifts you have given to us.
Second, to the awardees, particularly the students: Let me offer you my congratulations for your hard-earned success. Tonight, as we celebrate your accomplishments, I challenge you also to use this as an opportunity to celebrate the individuals who have made a difference in your life. Find an opportunity to thank them and tell them what they have meant to you. These people are truly a blessing, and we should never take them for granted.
Thank you all, and congratulations once again.
