Commencement
May 18, 2024
As prepared for delivery.
Buenos dias, Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs, good morning and welcome. I would like to express gratitude on behalf of the graduating class to the board of trustees for their wisdom and for outlining the goals they have set for our Quaker community. We thank you. To the administration for fostering a transformative atmosphere and guiding us towards success while making the difficult decisions when necessary. We thank you. To the professors who work tirelessly every day to provide us with the greatest education possible. We thank you. To every staff member who put forth a lot of effort to make sure we lived in a beautiful and safe community. We thank you. To all the parents and family members who sacrifice more than anyone else so that we may all be here today. We thank you and we love you.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude and introspection as I stand in front of you today to give this graduating speech. Whether in the classroom or outside on the quad fleeing from the Canada geese, our journey together at Guilford College has been one of development, discovery, transformation, and excellence. Indeed, when I think back on the first year it feels like yesterday. We had our first class, the first football game, the first girlfriend, the second girlfriend, the third one, and you realize you were the one with the issue.
Spring 2021, my first semester, took place back home in TOGO while COVID-19 forced classrooms to become virtual. I was thrown into this new reality, struggling to keep up. In the first week of classes, I reached a breaking point and tearfully called my dad, exclaiming, "I can't do this anymore. The professors and students talk too fast, and I'm falling behind. (I am a native French speaker in case you did not notice). I want to quit”, I said. His response was unexpected yet reassuring. He chuckled and said, "Give it one more week."
That one week changed everything. What I initially saw as an impossible challenge turned into an opportunity. Guilford College became more than just a school; it became the reason why my dreams came true. The support from professors and newfound friendships transformed my experience. What started with one or two friends quickly multiplied, creating a network of support and growth.
On August 16th of the same year, I stepped onto Guilford's campus for the first time, and it felt like stepping into a world of endless possibilities. I remember trying to find my way around campus, mistaking the library for the cafeteria. Ah, the joys of being a fresh-faced, slightly confused, and overly caffeinated student! A moment that now feels like a lifetime ago. The journey wasn't without its challenges, but the sense of community and guidance from mentors shaped me into who I am today and who I aspire to become tomorrow.
Guilford didn't just prepare me for the future; it gave me a lifetime of opportunities and a strong foundation to chase my dreams relentlessly. In the embrace of diversity and excellence, we became one big family. As we prepare to embark on our respective journeys beyond the limits of this college, let us carry with us the light of Guilford College—a beacon of hope, wisdom, and compassion that will illuminate our path in the darkest of times. Let us remember the lessons we have learned, the friendships we have forged, and the values we hold dear, for they will serve as guidance for what lies ahead of us. And so, my dear friends, as we bid farewell to this chapter of our lives and step into the unknown, let us do so with hearts full of gratitude, minds open to possibility, and spirits ablaze with the promise of new adventures and successful ones. Let me leave you with this thought. As you face hardship in the future, Give it one more week, and you'll see the strength within you that can move mountains. Remember, “every setback is a setup for a comeback, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow”. Once again “every setback is a setup for a comeback, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow”. Embrace the journey, cherish the memories, and never lose sight of the incredible potential you possess.
Congratulations, graduates of Guilford College. May your future be filled with endless opportunities, profound joy, and an unwavering belief in your ability to make a difference in the world. Thank you.