You are here

WGU Master's Ceremony, August 2018

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcVc39KvdxU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Title: 
WGU Master's Ceremony, August 2018
Creator: 
Western Governors University
Date: 
2018.08.18
Description: 
<p>Order of Events: Processional; National Anthem sang by Jennifer Hendryx; Welcome and Opening Remarks from WGU Texas Chancellor, Dr. Steven E. Johnson; Commencement Address delivered by Elizabeth McCormick; Graduate Speakers are Joshua O'Nishea and Latrivia Guinn; Conferral of Degrees by WGU Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Marni Baker Stein; Closing Remarks by Dr. Johnson; Recessional.</p> <p>Transcript of video (note: transcription begins around the 36:00 minute mark):</p> <p>Natalie Murray: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 67th commencement ceremony for Western Governors University. Graduates, families, and friends, thank you for joining us as we celebrate this special okay. Our masters ceremony is being recorded and streamed live over the Internet. A special welcome to all our online participants joining us across the country, and around the world. Please stand for the processional and remain standing for the national anthem. </p> <p>[National Anthem and Processional] </p> <p>Dr. Steven E. Johnson: Thank you everyone, please take your seats. We'd like to thank Jennifer Hendricks from Converse, Texas who is graduating with her Master of Arts degree in Mathematics Education for performing our national anthem. </p> <p>That was wonderful, thank you so much. [Applause] </p> <p>Well first of all, I have to say, good afternoon, ya'll. It's a beautiful day in Austin, Texas, we're so excited to see you all here. It's my honor to convene the 2018 WGU Commencement in Austin, Texas. On behalf of the entire university, we welcome our honored graduates and congratulate you on completing one of life's great achievements. Congratulations [Applause] </p> <p>We also extend our warmest welcome to the many family members and friends who are here to support their graduates. In addition, we want to recognize and welcome the many graduates, who, together with their families and friends, are watching this event via our live webcast. There are many here to celebrate your success. We're so happy to be joined by our provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Marni Baker Stein. And other members of our university leadership team. Thank you all for being here so much. [Applause] </p> <p>Standing here, I see the many family and friends of our graduates. Although it's kind of dark out there, but I see many of you. It's likely that today would not have been possible without them at your side. In fact, there are more than 7,500 guests attending today's ceremonies and many more watching online to support and celebrate you. You are a very much loved crowd, I'll tell you that. Would all of you, the friends and families of our graduates please stand up? Graduates, let's put our hands together and show them how much we appreciate what they've done. [Applause] [cheers] Thank you.</p> <p>You know, at WGU, we often have family members graduating together. Could we please have these family members stand and be recognized? What a special occasion to see families share this moment together. [Applause] [cheers] </p> <p>WGU is honored to be recognized year after year as a military friendly university. We would like to recognize the military members who are graduating. Would the graduates who are active duty, reservists, and veterans please stand and be recognized? [Applause] [cheers] Thank you for your service. Thank you.</p> <p>And last but not least, if you, our students and alumni, are the lifeblood of this institution, then the faculty and staff are its heart. With you today are many of our WGU faculty mentors and employees. If you've been a beneficiary of the time and dedication that they put into their work, please put your hands together one last time and give them a round of applause. [Applause] </p> <p>Twenty one years ago, WGU was officially founded. Nineteen years ago, WGU enrolled its very first student. The university now has more than 117,000 graduates. Since the beginning of the year, WGU has awarded more than 19,000 degrees. Today we recognize the achievements of more than a thousand graduates who are attending the ceremonies in Austin. Among these, there are 557 individuals receiving their bachelors degrees, and 471 receiving their masters degrees. You represent 43 states, Canada, the District of Colombia, and military installations overseas. Thank you for being here. It's our privilege to be among all of you, and among those who are here in support of you. </p> <p>Let me share just a couple of additional facts about this graduating class. Thirty nine percent of you are the first in your families to earn a college degree. And we extend a special congratulations to you. [Applause] </p> <p>This is one of my favorite ones. Your average age is 39. The youngest of you is 18, and the oldest is 86. [Applause] [cheers] </p> <p>Fully 91 percent of you are over the age of 27, and among you receiving your masters degree, on average you completed your degree in one year and eight months. That is amazing, congratulations. [Applause] </p> <p>Now it's important to remember that rituals and ceremonies play a really important part in our lives. They separate extraordinary moments from the daily flow. Moments that have special meaning and should always be remembered. It is an inspiring and uplifting moment to look out upon you and consider the achievements, despite your many priorities and challenges that you've had to juggle to obtain it. </p> <p>You are the reason that we have gathered here. Today's commencement ritual is an emphatic punctuation that you, our graduates, have set and accomplished a significant goal and are moving to a new stage in your life. Since you joined less than nine percent of adults in the United States who have earned a masters degree. Much will be expected of you as you continue on your life's journey, taking leadership roles in your businesses, and communities. </p> <p>It's been said that the doors of history swing on small hinges. You have made a choice and put forth the effort to obtain a milestone that will change the course of your own personal history. You have set an expectation for yourself, your families, and your loved ones. You have lifted up your gaze and aspired to greater things. Never forget the privileges and responsibilities of your education. And finally, a sincere thank you for letting all of us at WGU be a part of that journey. We are proud of you, and know that greater things now await you. Congratulations so much. [applause]</p> <p>Now it's my honor to introduce our commencement address, our speaker. Our keynote speaker is the host of a new TV show in development. She is currently number five on the list of leadership experts to follow online, and she's a best selling author with more than 18 published books on entrepreneurship and leadership topics. In 2011, Elizabeth was awarded the U.S. Congressional Veteran Commendation. While serving in the U.S. Army, Elizabeth flew air command and control, air assault, repelling and top secret intelligence missions, and also transported high level government VIP's, including the Secretary of Defense. Let's see these missions, Elizabeth in the awe inspiring Black Hawk in action. </p> <p>[Video starts] </p> <p>Male: So strap into your seats. It is our pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker. Former U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot, Elizabeth McCormick. </p> <p>[Video Ends] </p> <p>[Applause] </p> <p>Elizabeth McCormick: Thank you. When I was eight years old. Do you remember when you were eight years old, right? It was a long time ago for some of us, right? When I was eight years old, something woke me up in the middle of the night. I wasn't sure what it was. But I down the hallway in the dark. And as I went to get a drink of water, I realized another light was on in one of the other rooms. </p> <p>And I peered across the corner of the hallway to see what it was. And I saw my mother. My 32-year-old mother was hunched over a card table, full of papers and books. She had gone back to school. She was going back to get her degree. And I will tell you that was the first of many, many nights I saw her up late studying, working hard. I saw the exhaustion, I saw the exhilaration. </p> <p>And I will tell you, that that shaped me. As a young girl, it shaped me. It shaped me. She became my inspiration. You see, each of you, you don't even know how much impact you have had, how much you have inspired, just by doing this, by going back to school, by showing the perseverance, by doing the late night s and doing the work. How many of you have kids? How many of you have seen a kid? [laughter] Yeah. You might have children, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, other family members, co-workers. They see you. They have seen what you have done, and you've inspired them. You impact them, and you influence them. And you might not even know how much that you made that difference until they've grown, until later when they're persevering, when they're going through a hard time, and they remember you. </p> <p>My mother shaped me. I needed to know that it was that hard work and that perseverance. Because when I decided to become a helicopter pilot, I decided to believe in my potential. I call that being in the "potential zone." Because as all of you graduates know, in your comfort zone you get what you already got. The potential zone is when you step out of your comfort zone and you do something you've never done before. It makes a difference for you. </p> <p>Oh! I went to the recruiter and he said, "You can't do this." I wanted to be a pilot. "You can't do this." And let me tell you, how many of you had somebody say, "You can't go back to school and get your degree."? Anyone? I'm the only one. Come on, now, right? You see we choose what we believe. I believed I could do this. So when he said, "You can't do this," I looked at him, and I asked him with curiosity, not attitude, I said, "Why not? Why not? What is standing in my way?" </p> <p>And he looked at me and he said, "Well, well, well, you need perfect eyesight." I have that. "Why not?" "Well, well, well, you need perfect physical condition." I used to have that. [Laughter] I was a lot younger then. "Why not?" "Well, well, well, you need a college degree." Ha! I will tell you I have three. "Why not?" "Well, well, well, you need leadership." I said, "I have that too. Why not?" "Well, well, because... uh... uh... uh..." Go ahead and say it with me. </p> <p>And I said, "Why not?" I needed to know. I will challenge you, as you go on from here to be more curious, to ask more questions, to ask why and why not, know what is standing in your way. Because you don't have to believe what they believe. </p> <p>So, I asked him "Why not?" And he said anyone want to guess? How many of you think it's because of my gender? Yeah. Here is what he said, "I don't know how to do that paperwork." I want you to think about that. See, he didn't know how to do his own job. What would've happened if I had gone into that recruiting station and I had believed in him instead of me? Would I have become a helicopter pilot? Would I now be a motivational speaker? I travel all over the world. I just spoke in New Zealand. Hold on. Yeah. </p> <p>Would I be here today? Probably not. My entire future changed because I was willing to believe in myself, my abilities, my potential, my potential zone more than anyone else's lack of belief. Your beliefs are a choice, and you have been in that potential zone. You are here. Yeah. And your belief carried you here didn't it? Through the hard nights, through the long nights. Through working, family, crisis, whatever it might be, you've gotten here. </p> <p>So I'll tell you what I did. I sat in his office, I read the regulations, and I did the paperwork for him. I did his job. Because graduates, families, faculty, when it really comes down to it, your future is your responsibility. It is up to you to be in the pilot seat of your future. And the fact is, it's just like a helicopter, there is no autopilot. You are on the controls all the time. </p> <p>Well, in order for you to understand what flight school is like, I need to teach you how to fly a helicopter. Would that be okay? Okay, there is some audience participation required here. [Laughter] so let's teach you how to fly a helicopter. </p> <p>You're going to need both hands and feet. Go ahead, take a second, both hands and feet. So when you fly a helicopter, your right hand is on the cyclic. The cyclic is a stick. It goes down to the floorboard, up into the rotor system and it controls the pitch of the rotor blades. So, with your right hand, I want you to just take your right hand and stick it straight out. Don't hit the person in front of you. All right? That's where your cyclic would be in the helicopter. So this controls which direction you go. </p> <p>So if you want to go forward, I want you to push and lean forward. Now if you want to go to the side now, as a room we're all going to go to this side. So if you want to go to the side, we're going to push and lean that side. Yeah, now you're flying. Yeah. Now, if you want to go to the other side. That's right, you got this. And if you wanted to go back, whoa, whoa, whoa, you have a tail back there. If you pull that too far back and you hit your tail... that's bad. Don't do that. </p> <p>Now who said you could put your arm down? I just said there's no autopilot. You're flying the helicopter. So go ahead and keep your arms up there. Families are you participating too? Come on, I want to see you fly. All right. So that's with your right hand. Now with your left hand I want you to imagine there's a lever off the floorboard. You're going to pin your elbow to the floorboard. All you can move is the front part of your hand. That is the collective. The collective is the power. So the higher you pull it, the more fuel it puts into your engine. And the higher you pull it, the more air speed you get. And the higher you pull it, the more altitude you get. So go ahead and pull some power. Feels good doesn't it? We like our power, right? </p> <p>So while you're pulling your power, here is what happens to the rest of the helicopter. I'm flying straight like this, and when I pull power, it puts power in the tail. So even though I'm flying straight, my tail does this. So I'm flying straight, and my tail's oh, sorry. [Laughter] My tail is off to the side. Is this aerodynamic? No. So with your feet, independently of each other, and push on your foot pedals to get the aircraft in trim. So go ahead, push the foot pedals. Yeah. All at the same time. </p> <p>But wait, there's more. Because while you're still doing that, you have a center console of avionic and navigation equipment that you're monitoring to make sure you stay that part tells you who to talk to and where to go. And while you're monitoring that, you have four feet of instrument panel you're scanning, which are your system limits. So even though we're in the air, we do have speed limits. Yup, just no signs. You have to have every single limit on every single gauge memorized. </p> <p>And while you're monitoring all that, you also have your windows. You have a front window, you have a door window right here, and you have what's called a chin bubble window down here by your feet. In fact, right now I want you to look down at your toes. Because when you lose your engine, that's where you're going to go. [Laughter] Yeah. You're going straight down. There is no glide in a helicopter. </p> <p>But wait... there's more. Because while you're doing all that, you also have a microphone. Kind of like this one. And you're talking internally to your crew and externally to air traffic control. All at the same time. And if you're sitting there thinking what does that have to do with me? Well, the fact is, every day we're multitasking. Every day the email is dinging and the phone is ringing. And we have to perform. That's what you've done for the last year and eight months, two years, however long it took you to get here, that's what you've done. You've been in the pilot seat. </p> <p>Oh, you can put your arms down, you look a little tired. You've been in the pilot seat. And there hasn't been autopilot has there? No. So flying a helicopter, well, maybe it is like something else. How many of you like roller coasters, let me see? Who are my roller coaster fans, let me see you. [Sigh] I don't believe you. Because no self respecting roller coaster fan would do one arm. [Laughter] Let me see ya, roller coaster fans. Yeah! Hands in the air, right? </p> <p>I want you to imagine you're in the front car of a roller coaster and there's no track. You get to decide where it goes, how high, how low, how fast, or how slow, to the right, or to the left, which way it should go. That's what your future is like. It's like flying a helicopter. </p> <p>So flying a helicopter the first maneuver you must learn is how to hover. Hovering is when you're eight to ten feet off the ground, the wind whips off the rotor system, it comes down underneath the helicopter and it buffers the helicopter, and it makes it aerodynamically unstable. Ever encounter turbulence? Yeah. The helicopter makes its own. And it's unstable. And it's so aerodynamically unstable it's like the bumblebee that shouldn't fly but doesn't know any better and flies off anyway. It's aerodynamically unstable. </p> <p>And hovering requires a very soft touch on the control. A soft touch is best. But what happens to that soft touch when you have a flight instructor who is screaming at you? Ever have one of those leaders in your life? "You're stupid. You don't deserve to be here. You're wasting my... time." Yeah. I could believe him or I could believe in me. So I showed up because the greatest things in life happen when you show up and you show up for yourself. And that's what you've done haven't you? You've shown up. Yeah. You're in the pilot seat and there's no autopilot. And it doesn't stop today does it? No. </p> <p>I had eight weeks of an instructor screaming in my ear, trying to fail me. And at the very end, oh, the very end, I ended up with this flight instructor, a substitute who came in and taught me instead of screaming at me. And he taught me one thing to help me hover. Would you like to learn what that one thing is? All right. Raise your right hand up. Now raise it up high. The person next to you won't know your deodorant's worn off. All right, bring your elbow down. With your elbow braced against your ribcage, pivot your hand forward. That's where your cyclic would really be in a helicopter. With your elbow braced against your ribcage how smooth and stable is that wrist? Yeah. He taught me how a create a stable platform. One thing. And I hover today. </p> <p>WGU has given you that stable platform for your future. It starts here with you in the pilot's seat. Did I teach you how to fly? Was that pretty cool? Yeah? Oh, yeah, practice makes permanent by the way, right? That was part of that. Practice makes permanent, not perfect. Permanent. What you've done is created permanence. Be more intentional. Be more deliberate. And be more focused in why you do what you do. Because everything you do today impacts your tomorrow. Because practice makes ? Permanent. Shift to thinking. </p> <p>All right, did I teach you how to fly? Yeah. Well what fly really means is to first lead yourself. Because it's that exceptional in life. So few do lead themselves. They're on autopilot. But not you. Not you. When you fly, you will soar. [Applause] </p> <p>Dr. Steven E. Johnson: Thank you, Elizabeth, so very much. That was very inspiring. And now we have the real distinct privilege of hearing from two of you, two graduates. Joshua O'Nishea, Master of Science in Educational Leadership, and Latrivia Guinn, Master of Science in Nursing Education. Following their speeches, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Marni Baker Stein will confer your degrees. Please join me in welcoming the first to the lectern, Joshua. </p> <p>Joshua O'Nishea: Good morning. I'm a Master of Science graduate in Educational Leadership. However, it is my trials in life that led me to this point that I wish to share with you today. </p> <p>As a sophomore in high school, I found myself living in a house with no utilities, as my parents had recently separated, leaving me behind to find my own way. Too young to be employed in the state of Louisiana, and unwilling to give up those extracurricular activities like football that make high school so fun, I dealt with this the best I could. </p> <p>I can remember those nights where I'd go to McDonald's just so that I could clean myself because I was too scared or embarrassed to ask for help or let any of my friends know about my situation. As the time passed, this became the norm for my high school life. In my senior year I remember breaking apart copper batteries to get the wire from the inside to take to the scrap yard so that way my girlfriend would not have to miss out on opportunities that I had to. </p> <p>Now, there were several chances for me to escape from these problems, but instead I learned to deal with these mishaps. They fueled me to gain a small academic scholarship through the state of Louisiana called TOPS, and graduated on time with all of my friends who still to this day really don't know exactly what I had gone through. </p> <p>Shortly after graduating my girlfriend and I moved down just down the road in a small rental. Not long after that we welcomed our first child into the world, and it was at that moment that I knew that I had to do whatever necessary to provide for my son so that he would not have to grow up like I did. I went to the local university on grants and scholarships, while ensuring my family was able to live without missing a beat, and working two daytime jobs and one overnight job. </p> <p>Finally, I was able to earn that bachelors degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in secondary education with a focus in chemistry. </p> <p>After teaching for three years and sharing my story with select students and some friends I decided to continue on in my education, and that is what led me to WGU. Now, with the help of the faculty and staff, the students who participated in those discussion board questions, those weekly calls from my student mentor, John Lydon, I was able to earn my degree. </p> <p>Now today I stand before you and five very especially people in my life. That girlfriend at the time, she's my wife today. Her name's Jessica. I love her with all my heart. And she stayed with me even when I had nothing to offer. Our three sons, Seth, Satchel, and Benjamin [Applause] and our one daughter, my little princess, Isabelle. [Applause] </p> <p>Now I stand here not because of me, but because of them. I also stand here because of my parents. Regardless of the situation that I was dealt, they provided when I was young, and now they are the most fabulous grandparents I could ever ask for to our children. [Applause] </p> <p>I learned at a young age that life can bring you down, way down, but it's never gonna take you out. That's the reason that I chose education was to make sure that the kids understood just that. See, life can throw you a curve ball, and you can do one of two things. You can let that misfortune define you, and ruin your life, or you can overcome, learn from the obstacles, and become a better person. </p> <p>Being an educator, a science educator specifically, is way more than teaching kids about molecular masses and atonic theories. It's about being a role model for kids to see that success is possible, regardless of what you've been given. Throughout this journey in education I'm sure that we've all endured some tough times, and maybe at times questioned our decisions, but we made it, and today shows that it was all worth it. </p> <p>My degree and experiences throughout my educational journey have without a doubt made me a better person. And back home, at Haughton High School there's several of the teachers watching this video that voted for me for the 2018 2019 Teacher of the Year at Haugthon high School in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. [Applause] </p> <p>With the degree that I've earned, I've entered into a small pool of applicants to move into an educational leadership positions within my school district. Firth furthermore, I'm able to show people just how important education really is with a master's degree that I've earned through Western Governors University. </p> <p>I now hope to continue my educational journey and pursue a specialist degree towards superintendancy and continue down this path of success that was set by the foundations of mishaps and experiences that led me to be the man that I am today. Thank you. [Applause] </p> <p>Latrivia Guinn: Good morning class of 2018. I am honored and humbled to stand before you with this opportunity to speak to our graduating class. I have always dreamed of speaking, encouraging others, and motivating others and now I get to do just that. I'm very outgoing and I love to talk, so when they said I only had three to four minutes to speak, I struggled trying to decide what I could say that would be impactful. </p> <p>I thought about discussing how I left home at the age of 14, dropped out of school at 16, got pregnant at the age of 17. Yes, I was on my way to becoming another statistic. But I decided I didn't want to continue down that path and started making some changes. </p> <p>I'm sure we can all relate in one way or another, some failure or mistake or just the mere fact someone spoke negativity into your life and how that actually made you feel. You can also look back and remember, regardless of what was said or done, something deep down inside of you wanted more and you decided to keep going, to get up, and try it again. </p> <p>Now, here I am, almost 40, married, a wife of 19 years with four children and a grandson. And I know what you're probably thinking, she doesn't look that old. [Chuckles] Yes, I am. I'm not that 18 year old, but I am thankful that I don't look like what I've been through. </p> <p>What I can tell you is despite my past, I decided to go back to school at the age of 30 and graduate in 2012 with my LPN, in 2013 with my RN, in 2015 with my bachelors, now here in 2018, just completed my masters. [Applause] </p> <p>And I am very excited. We all have made mistakes or had failures in our lives. But as I look around in this room with hundreds of people, I realize that one thing in common: We didn't quit. No matter the obstacles or the challenges we face. </p> <p>I just recently moved to Texas a year ago last month. I got here right in time for Hurricane Harvey. How many of you were affected by Harvey or know someone affected by it? It has impacted so many lives physically, financially, and even mentally. </p> <p>And while some of you may not have been affected by Harvey, I'm sure you have had to deal with some form of a hurricane in your life while completing your degree. It may have been the hurricane of divorce. The hurricane of death. It may have been some misfortune that affected you, that left you feeling hopeless, feeling like you want to quit and wondering if you can actually do this. </p> <p>One thing that I've learned about Texans is that they really do stick together. [Cheers] [Applause] I was so hopeful because everybody helped each other, and they helped rebuild. They didn't give up. And look at you, you didn't give up either. You did not stop. Despite the difficulties you faced, you made a choice to get up and keep moving. </p> <p>I mean, look at us, we kept going despite those task notifications saying "revision needed." [Chuckles] We have completed our share of Writing Center appointments. Oh, and let's not forget about our weekly calls with the student mentor. But I would like to say that I appreciate all the student and course mentors here at WGU. You have been a valuable support system in place to help us achieve our goals. [Applause] </p> <p>So as we thing about our future, we have accomplished something great: Our master degree. This is just the beginning. We have come far, but we have far to go. We are going out to face the big old world and we're going to leave our mark. Become that author, entrepreneur, COO, director, owner; we are writing our own stories. This degree certifies that we are competent, confident, and competitive. We will persevere. We are resilient. We do not give up. So, on the count of three, if we can all just give ourselves a round of applause because we, the class of 2018 just did that. One, two, three! [Applause] [cheers] </p> <p>Dr. Marni Baker Stein: Thank you, speakers, that was incredibly inspirational. Amazing stories. Okay, here it is! We will now recognize each of our master degree graduates. Would the candidates for master degrees please rise, including those of you watching this by webcast, wherever you may be. Please rise. [Cheers] [Applause] </p> <p>Upon the favorable recommendation of our faculty, and the authority vested in me by the board of trustees, and the member governors of Western Governors University, I hereby confer upon you the masters degree you have earned to include the Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, or Master of Science, with all the rights and privileges thereto appertaining. Congratulations, and welcome to the community of learned professionals. [Applause] [cheers] </p> <p>Okay, now please be seated for just a moment. Our masters graduates wear a hood bearing the color of their discipline. The following are the leaders from each of our colleges who will now present the diplomas to our graduates. Mitsu Frasure Vice President, Academic Operations, College of Business. Dr. Jan Jones Schenk, Academic Vice President, College of Health Professions. Dr. Elke Leeds, Academic Vice President, College of Information Technology. And Dr. Becky Johnston, Director of Course Faculty, Teachers College. Congratulations everybody. [Applause] [cheers] </p> <p>[Reading of names] </p> <p>Dr. Steven E. Johnson: Yes, congratulations. Graduates, please accept our sincere congratulations. All of us at WGU are very proud of you, and we welcome you into our community of alumni, now 117,000 strong. </p> <p>For many of you, earning your diploma is a fulfillment of a lifelong goal. The acumen degree you have earned at WGU will open doors for you, and allow you to explore new opportunities in your life. But it's important to remember that commencement is not the end, it represents a new beginning. </p> <p>I encourage you to explore your dreams, dare to discover, and follow your passions. Whatever you choose to do, do it as well as you possibly can, and great things will follow. </p> <p>Learning is a life long journey, and one that is now a habit of both your mind and heart. I urge you, as you continue your journey, to reach out to others in the pursuit of their dreams. Identify meaningful ways to contribute to your communities and neighbors, and help us find our way as a united country to a brighter pathway for our children, and our children's children. Thank you. </p> <p>Now, let me take a minute and celebrate with a selfie. Marni, come up here and join me. All of you you got yours ready? Okay. Everybody else do a selfie, come on. Remember to use the hashtag #WGUGrad. All right! Everybody doing it? [Applause] [cheers]</p> <p>All right, it's not a selfie, but everybody smile! This now concludes our commencement ceremony. Thanks for visiting us here in Texas, and as we like to say, "All ya'll are welcome anytime." Please remain seated until our graduates have filed out. Thanks so much. Congratulations. [Applause] [cheers]</p>
Publisher: 
Western Governors University
Rights: 
© 2018 Western Governors University – WGU. All Rights Reserved.
Original Format: 
Commencement Video
Digital Format: 
MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)