Remarks: Dustin Evatt, President of the Graduate Student Senate

Good Morning,
On behalf of the Graduate Student Senate, it is my privilege to congratulate each of you on your accomplishments.  You have all reached a monumental point in your lives, and it is something to truly be proud of.  UVM is a special place.  A place where dreams are achieved, relationships are built, and knowledge is attained in and out of the classroom.  It is also a magical place where the weather goes from 45 degrees and sunny one day to the next day being 12 degrees and snowing. But nonetheless, this is a very special place. 
As you continue your journey ahead, I would like to offer you a few words of advice: 

1. Take time to reflect.  Reflection is often one of the best ways to find meaning and value in an experience, and I hope that you will take time over the next few weeks and months to reflect on the value of your UVM experience.  Reflect on all the good times… the times that you were inspired by someone or something… and take that energy and positivity with you into the future.  Also, take time to reflect on the moments that challenged you and made you stronger.  Look deep within that memory and find that spark that got you through that challenging time.  Take this sense of perseverance with you as well.
2. Never forget where you came from.  You could not have done this alone.  Remember to appreciate your family members, friends, partners, faculty/staff members, and all the other important people in your life that encouraged you to dream big and to achieve this monumental feat.
3. Leave a Legacy.  You have spent a chunk of your life learning valuable lessons that have made you a better learner and professional.  At the end of the day, however, the only thing that will remain… is the legacy that you will leave behind.  So I ask… how will you leave a positive legacy on this world?  How will you make a difference?
4. Never stop learning.  Once you leave here today, the learning should never stop.  No matter where you go or what you do, there will always be an opportunity to learn something new.  Whether it’s watching the news…reading a magazine or newspaper… or learning something new on Facebook or Twitter… take advantage of all of the wonderful opportunities around you.  Don’t let anyone or anything interfere with your learning. 

Once again, congratulations, and I wish you all the happiness and success in the future!

Thank you!

Last modified January 09 2011 03:45 PM