There is a webpage called “People: A world portrait” and they have a statistics section that puts in perspective how the world is divided, as if there were only 100 people living in it. According to this, 50 people would be females, 50 would be men; 60 would be from Asia, 15 would be from Africa, 14 would be from the Americas, and 11 would be from Europe. Out of those 100 people there would be 33 Christians, 22 Muslims, 14 Hindus, 7 Buddhists, 12 people who practice other smaller religions and 12 people who are atheists; 12 of those 100 people speak Chinese, 5 speak Spanish, 5 speak English, 3 speak Arabic, and 75 speak other languages. 83 of those people would be able to read and write, but 17 of them would not. And 7, only 7 of those 100 people, would have a college degree. Today, we become part of that 7% of the world’s population that is lucky enough to attend an accredited institution and obtain a college degree.
Today, you are becoming part of a very small percentage of people that have the power to become amazing professionals and change factors in the world. Education is the most powerful weapon to battle violence, racism, and hatred. We are about to walk out of here today with the biggest superpower there is.
Today, you have the ability to change someone’s life for the better. You have the chance to serve others and leave a legacy of kindness and positive leadership. Go out there and show the world how a true leader helps others become the greatest version of themselves. Remember that the more you give, the more you will get in the long run.
Today, you must thank those that shaped your college career: your professors. Thank the ones that believed in your future, in what you were capable of achieving even when you didn’t know it. They assured us that we were in college to learn how to be better people, better professionals, and better citizens of the world. Thank those that didn’t care very much, because they taught you that in order to impact others you have to remember that your leadership is important and it makes a difference in how others see you. Thank the passionate ones, the ones that ended up becoming your friends and mentors, because they became amazing listeners, encouragers, and supporters of every project we embarked on. They will always be your favorite part of college.
Today, you have to show appreciation to the ones who helped us outside of the classroom: friends, family, counselors, Deans, Assistants, Advisors, GMWs. They were as impactful as anyone else. We have learned from their kindness and dedication they put into their work. They have made us one of their top priorities and that should make your heart smile big.
Today, we will be taking a piece of each person we have met in these past few years. They have helped us find out why we are who we are, which is a pretty difficult question to answer. They have helped us grow into the people we are and we will continue to be for many years to come. They have helped us become the men and women of the future who possess the power to make a difference.
Today, I leave Winona State with eyes filled with tears, because they helped me become part of that 7% while at the same time encouraging me and guiding me every step of the way. I know that these were some of the best years of my life because it has been extremely hard to come to terms with the fact that it comes to an end.
There is a quote in the movie The Ultimate Warrior that says:
“Every man’s heart one day beats its last beat; his lungs breathe their last breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others, and makes them bleed deeper, than something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and make the running the man did live forever.”
Today, you become immortalized Warriors. People will speak about us for many years to come as we speak about those who have already left us. Go out there and change the world, Warriors, because you are part of the 7% percent who has all the tools to do so. But, if it’s worth anything, I firmly believe every person in this room will change the world.