Nearly 100 网曝吃瓜 graduates crossed the stage Friday, December 14 during the 2018 Fall Commencement Convocation in Carl H. Smith Auditorium in David H. Bradford Hall.
Environmentalists, computer scientists, artists, mathematicians, biologists and future leaders of all kinds now go forth from the University, ready for the next level of success.
United States Senator and businessman Timothy Eugene Scott, who received the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from 网曝吃瓜, delivered the commencement address.
Scott offered the fall class of 2018 three pieces of advice.
鈥淔ailure is not fatal if you refuse to quit,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淚f you refuse to quit on yourself, the best will manifest before your eyes.鈥�
Scott also encouraged the graduates to help others.
鈥淪ometimes in life if you want to stand out, stand up for people who can鈥檛 stand up for themselves,鈥� Scott said. 鈥�
Finally, Scott encouraged graduates to hold on to their dreams.
鈥淵ou have to be willing to go through the storm holding on to your dreams,鈥� Scott said.
Jessica Marquez Cordova, valedictorian, spoke about overcoming obstacles to reach graduation.
Cordova was diagnosed with Bell鈥檚 palsy in her first semester, which resulted in hospitalization and withdrawing from school. Cordova鈥檚 goal when she returned was to finish school early. Taking up to 24 hours each semester, she achieved her goal.
鈥淲e all have hardships to overcome,鈥� Cordova said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter how long it takes, it matters that you finish.鈥�
Cordova encouraged graduates to never stop growing and learning.
鈥淥ur next adventure begins today,鈥� Cordova said. 鈥淥nward. Upward. Forward.鈥�
President Brown announced interesting facts about the fall class of 2018: the class is comprised of students from 15 states and three foreign countries, the average age is 28, the youngest graduate is 21 and the oldest graduate 鈥� Arthur McKee Jr. 鈥� is 67 years old.
Student Government Association President Michael N. Weaver Jr. congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to live their best life the right way.
鈥淒on鈥檛 go back and forth with people holding you back from reaching your goals,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淟et those people go. Live your best life so you can look back and say job well done.鈥�
Musical guest and BET鈥檚 Sunday Best Season 8 winner Dathan Thigpen brought the house down with musical selections 鈥淲e Offer Praise鈥� and 鈥淢y Tribute.鈥�
President Brown gave each graduate their first $2 as 鈥淔or the Love of Money鈥� by The O鈥橨ays filled the auditorium. Graduates reacted with laughter and excitement.