Commencement does not signify the ending but rather the beginning. It is impossible for me to sum up our journey or to vividly create an image in your minds of all the indescribable memories that were made here at the University of the Virgin Islands, but I will try.
Some of us were not ready to start at all. Filled with fear and uncertainty some of us wondered whether we even had what it took to complete this journey here at UVI. And if some of you had told me I would be delivering this year’s Commencement Speech I would have said all of you were absolutely mad! However, we all started at the bottom and now we’re here!!!
So look at us today! Take a good hard look at the UVI Class of 2014!
We are Incomparable. We are Passionate. We are Optimistic. I – P – O.
We are an IPO, an Initial Public Offering. This is our Initial Public Offering! This is our very first public unveiling to the world. This is our IPO!
A great IPO has promise, potential, and has the power to transform lives, countries, and even the world. Need I mention that there are always great profits in store for those who put their faith in that IPO! Much like the faith our professors, family and friends have put in us.
Although most IPO’s may be largely unknown and ours may appear to the casual onlooker as just a bunch of novice, inexperienced UVI graduands, ill-prepared to face the real world, let me re-assure you that we are a great IPO and like Facebook, one of the largest IPO’s in US history, we are ready to revolutionize the world and we are going to make those who invested in us supremely proud!
This Class has invested years of blood, sweat and tears into preparing for our Initial Public Offering today. We spent innumerable sleepless nights in the 24 hour lab and experienced unmentionable challenges with our professors.
For many of us UVI has become our home and parting from home is never easy. Our stay here at this 5-star university has endowed us with a 5- star education and has been a tremendous life changing experience. How many can speak of their memories of: leaving class to go straight to the beach; enjoying the free limo escorts to and from class in the campus shuttle; and having mouthwatering top chef meals from our local restaurant “Le Cafe”? These memories will live with us forever but even more so will the bonds we have forged; friends who turned into family; dreams that turned into reality; and dedication that has turned into success. It is said that the elevator to success is always broken, but thank God the one at CA Building still works or some of us may not have been graduating this year.
We have believed that with God all things are possible and in a chaotic and uncertain world we will remain Optimistic because this class is Passionate about the issues which prove our abilities and challenge our potential. So trust me, you will hear a lot from and about UVI’s Class of 2014 because this class is Incomparable! Yes Incomparable – We dare you to find our equal! This IPO presents to the world the best of the best, la crème de la crème.
So, to my fellow distinguished members of the UVI Class of 2014, I wish to echo to you the wise words of Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, from her new book Lean in For Graduates: “I have so many hopes for you. I hope you head into the next phase of your life with your eyes wide open. I hope you find engaging work and pursue it with gusto. I hope that if you aspire to lead, you will let nothing limit your ambition… Your life’s course should not be determined by doing what’s safe and easy but by reaching for what’s challenging and hard…. This is your time. You can help create a more equal world where everyone sits at the table and all voices are heard… So start by aiming high. Be ambitious. Seize opportunities. Make opportunities. Embrace leadership. Lean in.”
UVI Class of TWO ZERO ONE FOUR, the world’s newest IPO.
Are You Ready?
UVI ARE WE READY? ARE WE READY?
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
