Good morning Families, friends, and the Class of 2017,
Thank you to President Herzberger, Dean Perez, advisors, mentors, faculty and staff for taking the time to believe in our vision even though we couldn’t see it yet. But that time is NOW. Congratulations on being your own hero and turning those pity parties into revelries when you felt like no one understood your growth…And since we have a history of producing a commander in chief, remain snap friends with everyone just in case attending the white house correspondents dinner is on your bucket list.
I am blessed to have been chosen as an offspring of a two-time SCIAC football champion and resilient black momtreprenuer who both stepped out on faith to make something out of nothing. And I will forever be indebted to my grandfathers and great grandfathers who indefatigably fought for my rights through the Negro leagues, education and department of defense. This degree is the courage to fight in honor of my mother and grand mothers to overcome the continuous battle with breast cancer. This degree is resilience for all of my melanated minorities who are unapologetically themselves. This even serves as a role model for Christian and all of the next generational leaders. Today is to our unique family villages that have laid the bricks and provided the energy to offer extra love to those that said our soil wasn’t rich enough to sprout wildflowers. This degree is me praying for your strength to knock down walls and the foundation to hold the weight of your many goals. This degree is the commitment to excellence.
My track coach forwarded a quote by Jessie Owens that reads, “It’s the extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes desire, determination, discipline and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes love, fairness, and respect. Put all of this together and even if you don’t win…how could you lose?” Remember freshman year stressing over that intersectional paper through your link course you felt you could only squeeze out about three pages if in 12.5 font? But as the years went by you realized the more you grew as a Poet, the purple and gold started to vibrantly color your words? And because of your diverse degreeworks, that fire in your heart to finish these four years comes from being able to hold an educated conversation about proving how baseball is in fact a religion.
When you stride this stage, remember your purpose. Do not be afraid of competition because the pen will always have the power. We are adaptable, creative, inclusive and full of tenacity when questioning the question. So, take this degree and become the person you needed when you were just starting this journey.
This morning I look out and see brother and sisterhood, SCIAC champions, Whittfest pioneers, mellon mays fellows, honor society members, club presidents and first generation graduates. These bragging rights came from understanding that small schools are the most preeminent because it’s not about knowing a lot of people but the RIGHT people. And before I go can we all take a moment to breathe and accept that we no longer have to wear shower shoes? Now give a round of applause for never again having to feel that lactic acid build up when walking up “the hill”. Congratulations again, my dear friends, the impeccable class of 2017.
- Kourtney Brodnax '17
