Commencement
Jack Oharah, Welcoming Speech
Edmonds Community College
June 16, 2006
Good evening and welcome to Edmonds Community College's 2006 Commencement Exercises. To our special guests, board members, and many, many proud friends, family members, faculty and staff members: thank you for being her and thank you for all you have done to help and support these graduating students. And to our graduates: Way to go!
This ceremony marks the success of 1,604 students who reached an academic goal this year-a diploma, a certificate, or a degree-and it marks the success of all who believe in these graduates and who believe in the power of education. This great occasion is a celebration of the future made brighter. These graduates and their families have great prospects and they will do good work whatever their next steps. Our community has more educated, critical thinkers in its midst, and our whole country is better for it. In the words of a former president, the late John F. Kennedy, "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education."
This is a class with students who repaired and painted homes and shelters and restored habitat along local streams in their spare time. They spoke out in the student newspaper and acted in theater productions; They made music and sculptures, computers and homeruns! They worked at jobs in the community and raised their families--and they studied. This is an energetic and hard working bunch, I assure you.
Tonight's graduates range in age from 16 to 71. They come from many countries and from many backgrounds, and they leave with many different goals: to continue in college, to work in a particular industry, to start their own business, to help others.
To a significant extent, we have here convincing evidence that this college is also achieving its own mission and goals. Edmonds Community College is a leader in providing quality opportunities for learning and service. We pride ourselves on being responsive to the dynamic needs of our diverse community. College-wide, we have agreed that being fiscally accountable, providing a positive place to work and learn, giving access to educational opportunities and supporting student success are our primary goals. Graduates, with your permission, we consider your success is also our success.
This education will take them in many directions, but wherever they go, it's clear our graduates leave here ready to take their place as key players in the workplace, as committed students in the universities, and as people who will make our community and our world a better place. As Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world," and these graduates will go forth to make our world a better place.
To everyone who helped these students reach this graduation, thank you.
Thank you to the parents, the spouses, the children and the friends who paid the tuition, took care of the kids, encouraged and supported.
Thank you to the teachers, tutors and staff who challenged, explained, listened, encouraged, supported and believed in these students.
Thank you to the community members who contribute to our Foundation scholarships and who support public higher education-especially our community and technical colleges-so we can make this precious opportunity available to hard-working students like these.
And to the graduating class of 2006, good luck, best wishes, and congratulations!
