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BALTIMORE, MD. (MAY 11, 2013)-Good Afternoon.
Thank you President Miyares for the kind introduction.
And my heartfelt thanks for bestowing upon me an Honorary degree in Public Service. I am humbled by this honor.
It is my privilege to join you, the administration and faculty, family, and friends to celebrate the University of Maryland University College 2013 commencement.
To the members of the University of Maryland University College.. Class of 2013...congratulations!
This day commemorates your academic achievement.
Today is a significant milestone in your life.
You are a different person today than you were when you began this journey. You have grown and evolved. You have been challenged and tested…and you have persevered.
You have learned things about yourself and others in the pursuit of knowledge.
For some, today is the beginning of a new career.
And for each of you, it is the beginning of a greater level of accomplishment and influence.
You are now a member of an esteemed group of individuals who have earned a degree from the University of Maryland University College.
The University of Maryland University College—rooted in the rich tradition of the University System of Maryland (through which I am a proud alumna of the University of Maryland Law School)—has been serving the academic needs of working professionals with distinction for 65 years.
Today, we salute YOU the members of the class of 2013.
You represent the best of our society.
Members of the class of 2013, come from all sectors of our communities, various disciplines of study, and both the public and private sector.
While you have traveled different paths to get to this juncture, and have unique experiences…you each share a bond that is rooted in a value for education and hard work.
For that, you are to be commended.
It is those values that will catapult you to greater heights in your personal and professional lives.
You each have committed yourselves to accomplishing your goal.
You have overcome obstacles.
You have demonstrated that having a clear goal—coupled with dedication, commitment, and discipline—can result in increased productivity and accomplishment.
In spite of life’s challenges, you have worked hard and succeeded—often making sacrifices to expand your opportunities for career advancement.
UMUC provided you with a unique global perspective. Its programs set the bar of excellence for teaming.
You’ve met fellow students from all over the world, and you probably feel that you can write the book on teaming—the good, the bad and the ugly!
But, those experiences are life lessons that will be forever in your skills portfolio—and that gives you a competitive advantage.
Many of you have balanced family, career, and study.
I fully understand and respect the challenges of work-life balance.
My parents instilled in me the value of education and hard work.
My father, who grew up in public housing, became a mathematician and was one of the most powerful Delegates in the Maryland General Assembly.
My mother was a pediatrician and one of the first African Americans to graduate from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
I recall, early in my first year of college, I called home in distress.
School was tough, and I started whining to my mother that the classes and work were overwhelming…
Her response to me was, “You want to know what’s tough? Studying for the medical boards while having morning sickness!”
Needless to say, that was the last time I ever complained!
Moreover, this was a teachable moment where I was reminded that with hard work and dedication, I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Like many of you, my mother balanced school and family and approached her studies with focus, commitment, and determination.
And she demonstrated that—yes, we can have it all!
Her strong example has served as a model for me in so many ways.
I realized that I could complete law school, pursue a career in public service, and become a wife and mother.
At times the balls I chose to juggle were heavy.
My father cultivated and encouraged my interest in public service.
He understood the value of role models and introduced me to strong female politicians and community leaders—to provide me with an example of what I could do with my interest in public service.
The lessons I learned from my parents help to keep me focused daily on what needs to be done to get Baltimore growing again—and to ensure a promising future for our children.
I recognized that, while there may be long and sometimes difficult days, I am guided by my fortitude, passion, and commitment to serve.
Today as a wife, mother, and daughter, I balance daily the responsibilities as Mayor of a major US city with family commitments and the numerous activities of my young daughter—I’m sure that many of you share the same joys of school activities and events, girl scouts, camping, theatre, Mindless Behavior concerts, Justin Bieber, sleepovers, and the mall!
I also recognize that my daughter is learning from my example as I did from my mother.
She knows that she is expected to apply herself. To dream. And to set goals.
And she knows she is expected to apply herself and work hard to accomplish those goals.
You too are serving as role models for members of your family and community.
As tough as the journey may have been—you are tougher.
I appreciate the quote from Friedrich Nietzsche, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
You have discovered things about yourself of which you were not previously convinced.
You have realized how resilient you are.
You now know that deep within you, you have all that you need to accomplish your dreams.
You recognize that life is a journey—a course that you set and determine by the choices you make every day.
You have chosen to succeed.
You have chosen to commit to excellence—forging a path to expand your opportunities, both personal and professional.
In spite of the naysayers, you have chosen to set yourself apart from others.
You have chosen to provide a more promising future for yourself and for your family.
Today is the beginning of the next chapter in your journey. I encourage you to move forward with a sense of urgency.
A sense of urgency is “one’s intrinsic sense that drives them to focus on the ‘what’s next’ in whatever life or business task they are presented with.”
Why a sense of urgency?
Accomplished people operate from a sense of urgency, recognizing that the future is now.
Successful people act with an urgency to accomplish tasks.
Successful people realize that how we utilize our time and devote our efforts every moment of every day matters.
Successful people act with an urgency to live their dream.
An atmosphere of urgency will create an atmosphere of greater achievement.
A sense of urgency is essential to translating your learning into action.
After the much-deserved pomp and circumstance—the flowers, balloons and the celebratory dinners—Ask yourself: If I am going to act from a sense of urgency—What actions will I take?
What will I do more of?
What will I do differently?
What opportunities will I seize?
How will I leverage my learning?
How will I give back, or pay it forward?
Who will I bring along?
Today begins a new chapter for you—with a wiser, stronger, and more enlightened author who is prepared with a world-class education.
Today you enter the ranks of the esteemed alumni of the University of Maryland University College.
Alumna Sharon Pinder is a member of my Cabinet.
She serves the City of Baltimore as the director of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development.
She has a Master of Science in Technology Management and is—The 2004 Alumna of the Year, a Professor-of-Practice, and a member of the Board of Visitors at UMUC.
She told me that she leverages her UMUC experience every day.
So I ask you: What difference will YOU make?
How will you apply the knowledge you have acquired?
In your family?
Your community?
In your organization?
In the world?
You may not be able to solve all the world’s problems, but never underestimate the power of ONE.
Each member of the Class of 2013 can make a difference.
You each possess unique qualities, capabilities and competencies. You are the key to a brighter tomorrow.
The Class of 2013—representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 17 countries—has a tremendous opportunity to positively impact our communities, our government, our corporations, our society.
With 473 honor graduates and 632 graduates from cyber-related degree programs, the UMUC Class of 2013 will surely be at the forefront of future global growth and innovation.
For example, Mr. Douglas Kruse, the oldest member of the UMUC class of 2013, is graduating with a degree in Environmental Management at the age of 77.
Imagine how his wisdom, knowledge and academic achievement can inspire individuals of all ages.
We live in an era of great challenge, yet tremendous promise.
It will take educated leaders like you to seize the opportunities and make a difference.
True greatness is only achieved once we develop a sense of urgency and the importance of what we are doing and why it needs to be done.
While today doesn’t represent the end to all future challenges you may face;
Each new day brings new challenges and new opportunities.
However, you are better equipped to navigate any bumps along your path.
Every day, we must wake up and recommit ourselves to the hard work that is necessary to face that which lies before us.
I am assured that you have the perseverance, determination, and courage to face every tomorrow.
You have the preparation, the passion and the power!
You have exhibited self-discipline…
You now have an enhanced self-awareness…
You recognize your strengths…
You realize how strong you really are…
You have acquired a world- class education.
Nelson Mandela once said,“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
So yes, you—the Class of 2013—are equipped for greatness. You are the world changers! You can make a difference!
To you, the University of Maryland University College Class of 2013, I applaud you!
I congratulate you on this tremendous accomplishment.
Remember that none of us got where we are today on our own.
The nature of your education required a significant buy-in from your friends, family and colleagues.
I want to take a moment to thank the spouses, partners, children, employers and co-workers who supported you.
Graduates, you should be proud of your achievement.
May this be the beginning of the most rewarding chapter in your journey!
Congratulations!
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