Comments from the Student Speaker

Thank you, Chancellor Oblinger, and special congratulations to everyone here tonight! Being invited to this ceremony is a huge honor. This is a collection of all the awards from throughout the year, all the graduating seniors with their various Latin honors, honor societies, fellowships, and so on. All the faculty who have won special recognition based on their excellent skills in teaching and research. But don't forget the significant number of family members and friends in the audience. This is also a special day for them- they get to see what exactly you have been working for day in and day out for ... however many years you have been at this university. So, I would like to take this opportunity to again thank each and every one of you for attending tonight, helping us celebrate the excellence that our university has to offer!

Now to some of my thoughts on this occasion: When I was asked to speak tonight, I hesitated. It wasn't because I wasn’t excited- I love representing our great university (and everyone associated with it) whenever the chance presents itself. No, I hesitated because I wasn't sure what to say that could tie everyone here together (without boring you all!). There is at least one thing that connects us all, however: our time at this university. We have all spent countless hours at NC State.

Students, you have experienced quite a bit during your time. You have obviously gone to classes, learning topics ranging from Freshman English to Engineering Dynamics to British History... and even Quantum Physics for the truly brave! Seniors, your big day is coming up- the day you graduate. Having already graduated once, though, I can tell you that you will soon realize that that diploma you receive is not the most important thing you will take away from NC State. The things you will cherish most- the things you will remember fondly years from now- are your memories of your time here: nights you went out for pizza on Hillsborough Street, Saturday mornings when you attended football games (when we beat UNC in football... and #1-ranked Duke in basketball on a Thursday night!), Spring Breaks you spent with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Homecomings, the changing of Chancellors, and so on. These are the things you experienced- the things that make you who you are today- and it is the combination of these experiences and your classes that will carry you far in the world, regardless of where your plans take you next. Always remember to represent your Alma Mater well!

And to the faculty members: You have also spent much time at the university, in most cases more than the students here today. I can only imagine what fun you must have had recently, grading final exams and entering grades! But I'd guess that the moments you prefer remembering are times with your students, whether in or out of classes. I have been told that it is very exciting to work with students: seeing the look on their faces when they finally grasp a difficult concept- working with them on degree audits, helping them get exactly the classes they need to achieve their future goals- and occasionally even being asked a thought-provoking question, proving that someone in the classroom is, in fact, awake at 8am. Someone once told me that their students inspired them. Well, here's a secret: you inspire us too! The days we see your dedication, in your office even when we know you aren’t feeling well, when we see your extraordinary talent to balance classes with research and your own family, when we see how much you care about us, willing to comfort us after receiving upsetting news or to stay up writing letters of recommendation overnight- you inspire us too. Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone.

And to the family and friends- tonight is a chance for you to see what you have helped us achieve while at NC State. Phone calls home our first night on campus when we wondered if we'd fit in here (speaking from the students' viewpoint, of course!) – emails after getting back our first college exam grade - and who can forget the tuition bills you helped pay? We owe you a gigantic thank you! We wouldn't have made it without you- and therefore, we would be amiss if we neglected to recognize you tonight as well.

Well, I believe I have talked quite long enough. I could speak longer about what this university means to me, but that is not why we are here tonight! Instead, I will leave you with a quotation from former Chancellor John T. Caldwell that I believe is especially relevant to our gathering tonight: "You just don't know how magnificent you might be. Think big. Think big about your possibilities in this world."

I challenge you all to think big as you conclude this year at NC State. Whether your future takes you down the street, across the country, or over the ocean, know that your opportunities are spreading before you. Accept the challenges.

Thank you- congratulations- and good luck!

 

by Jennifer Leigh Boyd