Mr. President, fellow Graduates, members of the platform party, family and guests:

What a great day!  Congratulations to us all!

Each of us has worked very hard to reach this moment in our lives.  We all deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.  I say congratulations not only to the graduates but to everyone here because we must remember all of the people who have helped us along the way.

As Stedman Graham, a contemporary author once said, “I believe nobody makes it alone... always keep in mind your relationships. Nurture them, build them, and lean on them when you need to. Do not be afraid to ask for help or encouragement along the way. Remember also, that just as you need a hand now and then, so do those coming behind you.”

So here are some thank-yous on behalf of my fellow graduates and myself.

Thanks to the administrators at New Paltz for providing us with a nurturing atmosphere in which all students, regardless of their personal background, could grow and learn. As you have probably noticed, I am a non-traditional, older student.  Initially, I was quite nervous at the thought of attending college with young adults who were about the same age as my oldest child. I was unsure of where I would fit in.  But my fears were quickly dispelled from the moment that I stepped on campus and saw the diversity of the student population.  I realized then that everyone was welcome at New Paltz.

We should also give thanks to the professors at New Paltz for believing in us and pushing us past our own preconceived limitations.  I took a very demanding major. The coursework in communications disorders was quite difficult and there were many times that I doubted myself. I thought I couldn’t rise to the challenge.  However, with the faith and encouragement of the faculty supporting me, I was able to overcome many obstacles. I now feel knowledgeable enough to begin working in my chosen profession. 

It is impossible for our teachers to supply us with all of the answers that we might need in the future.  But our professors did teach us what is essential for future success: how to understand problems and come up with our own solutions. Perhaps these were the greatest gifts that they could have given us: the ability to think critically and independently.

Most importantly, thanks to all of our families and friends. Without their encouragement and support, none of us would be here tonight. Our families and friends stood behind us, cheered us on and never let us give up on our dreams.  Personally, I know how much my family members had to sacrifice to help me reach my goals.  Yet, they did so willingly.  For that I will be forever grateful.  They were always there for me, no matter what.  There aren’t any words that could express how much I love and appreciate them.

Finally, thanks to my fellow classmates and especially the friends that I made at New Paltz.  I don’t think I would be standing here without you.  All of the long days and late nights spent studying over endless cups of coffee would have been unbearable if I had to do it alone.  Although my family was very supportive, it would have been impossible for them to understand how I was feeling and the demands that were being placed upon me.  You did. I didn’t have to tell you how I was feeling because you knew when I needed a good laugh or a shoulder to cry on, simply by the sound of my voice or by a quick glance at my face.  It was through my friends that I was able to find the strength within myself to succeed.  We made it through together. I wouldn’t change one minute of it.

As we move into the future, it is important not to forget the people who were there to help us in the past.  We must be willing to give back and mentor “those coming up behind us” because there were so many people who were willing to help us succeed.  Remember, “Nobody makes it alone.” No matter how successful we might become, it is the people who have touched our lives and hearts that make everything else worthwhile.

So again, thank you, congratulations and God willing, my student loans will be paid off before my social security checks start arriving.