Let’s call this blog Commencement 2020 Edition. For those of you that would have shown up to participate in your second commencement ceremony around this timeframe, many of us are so disappointed (as are you) that you have to postpone or forgo altogether a physical commencement. Commencement brings closure to an important milestone if your life. Commencement gives you a momentous occasion to celebrate with your family, your friends, your classmates, and your professors the simple fact that you made it through. And moving forward from commencement no one can take that simple fact from you.
To all my degree card carrying doctoral students that are no longer students but are now professionals with suffix abbreviations behind your name, or salutations before your name, we celebrate you!! You are a part of a community of high achievers that have big dreams and big causes left to fulfill on the horizon. And trust, no pandemic, or any other obstacle moving forward from here will prevent you from unleashing on this world, all the greatness that lies within you. What’s in there, in you that has to come out in order to help someone else? What’s in you after you’ve gained all of this deep knowledge in your area, that will allow you to know apply that knowledge for the greater good? What is it?
I’m curious to know, in fact, we all are. Your gifts and talents are amazing and the confidence that you’ve garnered after completing this higher education degree will truly carry you far, if you let it, the rest of your life.
Let the tears fall. Let your neighbors hear you scream or let out a loud roar. Let your family serenade you with cards and gifts and extra love. Let your professors send you a virtual shout out for being one of their amazing students. Let your mentors know you still need them to stay in your corner. Let your music bump just a little bit louder so you can get that well-deserved two step in. Let the virtual or small party begin.
You deserve it!
CONGRATULATIONS truly to all of those doctoral students that are closing this chapter and flipping the page to the next!!!!
Go head, class of 2020!!!!!!!!
Until next time,
Renã AS Robinson, PhD
Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay
