Valedictory Address

"Valedictory Address" (18 May 2011): 1-2. (UA Case 68, Box 2).

Your honour, Mr. Chancellor, Members of the Board of Governors, Mr. President, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, fellow graduates. Good afternoon and congratulations to the graduating classes of business administration, education and kinesiology.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faculty of the University for providing us with the gift of an education that will last a lifetime.

Each one of us has a unique story of how we got here today. From the first time I thought about attending a post-secondary institution, I knew I wanted to come to UNB. It's kind of an unspoken tradition in my family. My father graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1978. One of my aunts graduated, also with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1985. My uncle graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Another of my aunts graduated from UNB in 2006 with a Bachelor of Nursing. And my sister graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in political science. Today I continue the tradition. This is where I was meant to be. Some may say I came here because it was close to home, that many of my friends were attending the university, and it wasn't a big risk. While all of this is true, I will never regret my choice to come to UNB. My experience here has been a life-enriching one. I have met many amazing people who are sure to be remarkably successful in life. I have been blessed with many opportunities to be involved in the university and the community in many different ways, such as taking part in research studies, volunteering, peer mentoring, proctoring in residence and being part of the UNB Cross Country team. Our positive and negative experiences shape who we are. I believe that there is a plan for each of us. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and although that reason may not be clear at the time, one day we may look back and realize that things happened exactly as they should have.

Throughout our lifetime we will experience great change. In our time here at UNB we have seen many changes, most notably the completion of this magnificent building we have the honour of graduating in today. In 2010, the year of UNB's 225th anniversary, we saw former Jones House converted into C.C. Jones Student Services Center. In 2009 we were pleased to welcome our new President, Eddy Campbell. Although today is a day of celebration of our accomplishments, it is also a day where we have say good bye to many people who we have grown very close to over the past few years. The people beside you have been with you through it all; the procrastination, the midterms, the papers, the late night cramming for exams and the celebrations that followed. Though this day may mark the successful completion of our degrees, it also marks the beginning of something; whether it is a full-time job, or—like myself—more school. Today is certainly a day to be celebrated.

We have been given the gift of education. What we have learned in these last few years didn't happen only in the classroom, but within the entire community. Our interactions with professors, members of the community and each other have enriched our lives. I encourage you to use the knowledge you have gained here at UNB to make a difference in the world around you. The only real failure in life is the failure to try. Do not lose your sense of achievement that I'm sure you are filled with today.

I sincerely wish you all the health and happiness that life can offer. Although we can never be certain of what the future holds, I believe that our accomplishments being recognized today will leave us with great opportunities for success. Thank you and congratulations to the class of 2011!