WGU Graduate Speaker, Joy Pendleton, Summer 2007

<p>Joy Pendleton earned herBachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree. On July 14, 2007 Pendleton was a graduate speaker at the Summer 2007 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.</p> <p>Transcription of video:</p> <p>Joy Pendleton: First of all, I'd like to thank the academy for this award. [Laughter] This isn't the award's academy. Sorry. Just got caught up in the moment there. But who knows? Maybe this will work into a job at Western Governors for me, you know.</p> <p>I would like to thank God and my family for being here and at home with me and helping me go through it. They put up with me working on the computer when I am not in the classroom teaching. I want to thank my mentor, Norma Jean. She's up here somewhere. She's the best, and she's mine. I'll share her, but she's mine. [Laughter] I also want to say something to a classmate that couldn't make it. She and I have traveled the whole way together on this. Hi, Kristen. I know you're watching. By the way, it's Kristen [Inaudible], and if you need help with APA, she is the APA queen. I'm the jester. Don't come to me.</p> <p>I want to say that I've had a great experience at Western Governors. There have been a few snags in the Taskstream of my classes, but with the help of my mentor, the great staff and students on the boards, I've navigated my way through the channels and eddies of my degree. I would like to know, though, what is it about Taskstream? How do they know it's the end of your term? It seems like they know. There you are. You have your task entered. Has it been graded yet? How can I do this? How do they know? Okay. Check again. Every hour at least I'm checking. I bet you are, too. Did it pass? What if it didn't pass? I don't have time for this. It passed. Yes. Party. Woo-hoo! Well, Taskstream can be difficult at times, to say the least. But just remember, this too shall pass.</p> <p>I would like to say to all of you, if you are finished, congratulations. You've worked hard, and you made it happen. If you are in the middle of the process, great. Keep going. You will see the light at the tunnel soon. If you are just starting, keep going, talk to your mentor, post on the communities, and make friends of fellow classmates. You, too, will get here.</p> <p>There are two major things that have made Western Governors work for me. One is that you can work at your own speed. You can go slow and steady or fast and relentless. You can stop and get up in the middle of class and go to the store, to work, pick up the kids, or even go to the bathroom without missing part of the lecture. And no one will say a thing about somebody disrupting the class.</p> <p>Now, before I tell you the second thing, if anybody is in the Western Governors accounting department, cover your ears. You can't hear this. The second thing is you pay for term. Not for your competency units, not for a class. So for me, that meant I could finish all the required classes for one term, and then go on and work on the next term, and sometimes even the next term and not have to pay more to do it. Just remember to keep an eye on that AAP and finish your SAP on time and you're good to go.</p> <p>I would like to say to all of you watching and wondering "can I really do this," you can. It's a lot of work, but do not let the little things in life discourage you. The men and women sitting here in front of me today are proof that you can accomplish your dreams. I always remember what my Grandpa [Inaudible] told me as a small child: "Joy, you can do anything you set your mind to. Just step out and keep trying. You'll do it." Some may have to work harder than others do, but you can do it.</p> <p>Just look at me. Here I am, 56 years old, dyslexic, and a grandmother. I have seen hard times in my life. I grew up poor, the youngest of seven children. I thought I was retarded most of my life. I've been married twice, and been homeless. I have watched two of my four children die of illnesses. My husband can't work because of diabetes and heart problems. The doctors have told us that he is living on borrowed time. My two living children and grandson live with us in a small three-bedroom house, and we have been living on a substitute teacher's salary.</p> <p>Nevertheless, here I stand today wearing not only my cap and gown talking to you, but I am honoring my son and daughter that have passed away by wearing my daughter's gown underneath my Western Governors' gown. She was a bright young lady looking forward to graduation and college. She died suddenly of an illness just weeks before graduation and never had the chance to even try on her cap and gown. I have done this first for myself, then for my son and daughter that will never have the chance to follow their dreams, as well as for the rest of my family. And if I can do it, so can you.</p> <p>So if you are having a hard time, cry, scream, even stomp your feet if you need to. Then laugh. I mean really laugh, and get going again. You can do it. Just step out and keep trying. To Western Governors, I say thank you to the entire staff, provost, president, mentor, down to the office personnel, and to my classmates. You have all helped me make this possible. Congratulations to all of you, and thank you.</p> <p>[Applause]</p>