Good morning! This is the first time in recent memory that the undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies have been held together. On behalf of the Graduate Student Association, thank you, President Judd, for making the decision to bring us together as one Sarah Lawrence.
In the spirit of firsts, I want to remind everyone that we were the first institution to offer graduate degrees in Women’s History, Health Advocacy, and Human Genetics. We were also the first college to offer a continuing education program, so adults could finish their four-year degrees.
I learned this radical history attending a recent Board of Trustees meeting where I represented my fellow graduate students. Being a student trustee has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had during my seven years as a student at Sarah Lawrence, first as an undergraduate and now as a candidate for the Master of Fine Arts in Writing.
I am delighted to share that in their planning to bring Sarah Lawrence into its second century, President Judd, the senior leadership team, and the Board of Trustees are working to remain true to what makes Sarah Lawrence unique and special.
As new alumni, it may seem like you don’t have a stake in Sarah Lawrence’s next chapter, but the truth is what happens here has everything to do with us and our future. The more successful Sarah Lawrence is, the more value our degrees have, and the more employers want to hire us.
So, when you leave campus today, don’t leave Sarah Lawrence behind. Stay a part of the community of individuals who are working together to ensure that generations to come can have as enriching an educational experience as we did. Whether that means making the occasional donation to fund student scholarships or offering connections and career advice to current students.
I know from being in this community of writers, health advocates, educators, actors, dancers, geneticists, and historians—just to name a few—that many of you are on the cusp of greatness in your chosen field. So, in your book’s acknowledgments or Tony acceptance speech, don’t forget to talk about the transformative time you spent here at Sarah Lawrence.
And also—remember your personal history! Revel in the fact that you started and finished graduate school in the midst of a global pandemic.
Thank you and congratulations!
Remarks as prepared for delivery