Commencement Speech

Greetings graduates, families, loved ones, faculty, staff, current students, prospective students, my loving wife Emily, our three precious children Braylee, Ashlee, and Brawnwyn, and their loyal grandparents, Don and Linda.

When I was asked back in February to do this speech, I was sitting at my writing desk. However, I was not able to bring myself to actually put pen to paper until this morning. I suppose it was just because I couldn’t get past this one question I kept asking myself:

“What words of wisdom could I possibly impart on this year’s graduates?”

And that’s precisely what I want to emphasize to you today. Don’t start until you’re ready. Grapple with those big questions. Thank the people who mean the most to you. Never stop thinking, never stop learning, never stop trying.

I could have started writing this speech way back in February, but I doubt these words would resonate as deeply as I know they did with me this morning. I can tell they do for you, too.

Congratulations Class of 2024!