Commencement

Jack Oharah, Welcoming Speech

Good evening and welcome to Edmonds Community College's 2004 Graduation exercises. We are honored to have with us the special guests and board members who have been introduced, and we are especially honored to share this great occasion with so many proud friends, family members, faculty and staff members. To all of you, welcome and thank you for all you have done to help and support these graduating students.

Each graduate has come here down his or her own road--perhaps speeding along like our youngest graduate, 17-year-old Sara Maples, who is receiving an associate or arts degree--perhaps coming here after many other adventures in a full life like out oldest graduate, 72-year-old Darrell Marlow, who is receiving a Computer Service Technician certificate. Certainly, all of you have come to this point tonight by having made your education a priority that you worked hard to maintain. A great number of you have been holding down jobs, raising children, helping others and making a difference in your community, AND all of you have been studying hard as you came at your own pace down the road to this achievement. Congratulations on a job well done.

But none of you-no graduate-made it to this point alone. Your families, friends, teachers and supporters deserve to share in this celebration. Graduates, please stand and give a round of applause for this great support team!

I think tonight we need also to thank our taxpayers, our state and our society's investment in public higher education. Without our system of public colleges and without our community colleges' commitment to educational opportunity, frankly, most of us-including me-would not be here celebrating. Most of these graduates would not have had the opportunity to go to college. College might have been completely unaffordable OR too restrictive in their admissions requirements OR too far from home or job. Public support made it possible for nearly 2,000 students this year to reach their goals at Edmonds Community College-whether their goal was a high school diploma, a career certificate or degree, or transfer to a bachelor's degree program.

A system of public higher education has been good for every graduate here tonight and, I believe, it is good for their communities--where these graduates live and where they will work. Public higher education is critical to the health of all of our communities. Graduates, if you remember one thing in the aftermath of this well-deserved and joyous celebration, I ask that you remember to speak out about the important things this public community college did for you and work to make sure this opportunity is available for the next generation.

This commencement ceremony is a big and public event that marks hundreds of very personal accomplishments. That is very fitting. Our personal achievements and our public responsibilities are intertwined. I am confident that tonight's graduates are prepared to succeed in their next steps. They will be successful university students, capable workers, committed lifelong learners.

And, it is my hope, that you graduates and all who have come here tonight, will also go forth as tireless champions--talking to your families, your neighbors and, especially, your legislators about why our public investment in community colleges is a critical investment for a healthy society and a bright future.

Good luck and best wishes. And, again, congratulations.