Commencement 2009 at the Tennessee Theatre was a great day for South College, our graduates and their families. Our commencement speaker was a motivational highlight.

UT Men’s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl encouraged the 200 graduates to raise the level of expectations they have for themselves as they enter the working world.

“I try to get people to focus on the process, not the end result, to get where you want to be. Don’t allow anyone else to have a higher expectation for you than you have for yourself. Try to set the bar high.”

Pearl said people are always told to work on their weaknesses. “I want you to work on your positives,” he said. “Go to your strengths.”

To build confidence, graduates need to be prepared. The best way to be prepared is to work hard, he said.

“There will be bumps along the way,” Pearl said. “How you handle adversity will determine how you do in life. No to me means ‘not yet.’”

Pearl said wars are fought because of religion, ethnicity and color and because people don’t tolerate each other.

“Young people have to stand up for what’s right,” he said. “Don’t tolerate what’s not right.”

In closing, Pearl said it’s about how you treat yourself.

“This is no dress rehearsal. This is the real deal. Live this life to the fullest. You’ve worked for a great start. Do the best you can. And remember the process.”

It was a very proud moment for me when Dr. Kim Hall, our executive vice president, presented the South College Presidential Award for excellence in service and scholarship to Valerie Dale, a business administration graduate. Valerie has worked very hard and is very deserving of the recognition.

Plus, Dr. Bonnie Buckland, an education professor, received the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award, and Dr. Walter Fitzgerald was presented the college’s first Distinguished Service Award. I am proud of them both also.

Congratulations to all the graduates. Our goal was to make this occasion special, and I believe we succeeded. Coach Pearl’s words and enthusiasm made the day memorable and inspirational for everyone.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 am and is filed under Graduation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.