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Show GRADUATION 2 V.WL.Hl i i Congratulations on your accomplishments in reaching this milestone in your education. We realize what a busy time this is in your life. Once commencement has passed and life is a bit calmer, we hope you will have the time to reflect on what you have accomplished in your time as a student at Westminster and will be as proud of your accomplishments as your family, friends, and the Westminster community is. Those of you who are undergraduates have demonstrated achievement of the college wide learning goals, studied broadly across the liberal education core, and completed a major. Many of you have found passions outside of the classroom in your work in our broader community, athletics, and research and creative activities. Those of you earning graduate degrees have studied at a more advanced level and completed requirements that will allow you to move boldly into your fields. Many of you have completed research and theses, clinical rotations, field placements, and business plans. You have worked in our community making it a better place, and spent time abroad understanding global aspects of your disciplines. A number of you at both the undergraduate and graduate levels have worked to put yourself through college, while some of you have also lived at home and cared for your families. You have helped us to see that we still have work to do at the institutional level to ensure that all students are included and supported. You have made us more aware of the lived experiences of those of you from traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education. You have made us better and stronger. Your experiences and paths have all been different, yet on April 30, we will celebrate together. c . , & f r f' r M I - it r S X MI EXISTIR ES RESISTIR (My Existence Is Resistance), the words echoed by activist Gutierrez. I start with this quote because i Jen-nic- et over the past few years, your graduating class has been faced with many societal issues impacting the lived experiences of marginalized people on our campus and in our community. Grappling with marriage and gender equality issues to climate change impacts to freedom liberties. Your ability to utilize knowledge and prior experiences to create positive social change in the lives of those affected by a cisgender society is hetro-normati- ve the true testament to a Westminster education. Whether it is standing up for a colleague at work who faces discrimination on the bases of their social identity or being a voice for those who are silenced and removed from the dialogue impacting their personal and professional development. I ask that you examine the last few years and take a moment to commit to being a change agent for others. I ask that you disturb the status quo. I ask that you become uncomfortable with the unknown and sit in the discomfort that will help you grow and be more emphatic of others. By simply existing in this world, you can create and cultivate a community that respects all people regardless of identity or background. My hope is that you take the time to think beyond yourself, engage in meaningful conversations that lead to positive action, and strive to be the best person possible. Congratulations, class of 2016 on a job well-don- e! I couldnt be more proud of the graduating se- I I , t S I r4r Karnell Black Acting Dean 5 0 of Students -r 'I $ i i - JL- -, t - - "7 i? 1 $ fW r f L tOnfcv vateawr-i- : J i Steve Morgan and Lisa Gentile - stHgiinam. niors today! For all of you, now that you are at this point of completion, we hope that you will see finishing your degree as a beginning. A beginning to further education or a job. A beginning to making an impact in your local community. A beginning to thinking creatively and outside of the box about the big problems that face us. A beginning to exploring ways to connect your knowledge with the greater good of society. A beginning of understanding your place, your role, and how you will contribute to our greater community. As you move forward, we wish you the courage to discover your passions, to follow your heart, and to be true to yourself. We are proud of what you have accomplished and proud to call you Griffins. Please stay in touch with us. , T s Bil If |