Announcements
Leilani Kiser Commencement Speech
May 2, 2008
Good evening. I would like to begin by saying what an honor it is to be standing here tonight. I would like to take a moment to thank the individuals that have given me encouragement and support. I would first like to thank my family who had more faith in me then I had in myself. Next, I would like to thank the staff and faculty at Terra State Community College for the excellent service they have provided. They have made my educational experience very rewarding. Finally, these last individuals have challenged me not only academically, but also professionally-Ms. Jolene Meyers, Ms. Kimberly Williams, Mr. Dale Stearns, and Dr. Marsha Bordner.
I would like to share with you a little of my history, my path to Terra, some of the valuable information I have learned, and some advice to my fellow graduates.
Growing up, my parents worked hard to give my sisters and me a good life, but college was never an option in our house. At that time, my family, like many others, was economically challenged and there was not an abundance of financial aid or scholarships. I was not a good student but I graduated with a GPA of 2.7. I was just happy to have that piece of paper. For the next 25 years, I worked as a laborer. At one point, I suffered a devastating injury that changed my life forever. I lost two of my fingers. Then there came a day when my employer announced that the doors of our factory were closing in six months. I needed to do some serious soul-searching and determine what path my life was going to take. I was a disabled worker with no skills, only a high school diploma, and no job! I determined that I would go back to school to obtain a higher education – something that I should had done years ago.
After talking to many people, I found a wonderful program called the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that would help fund my education. I visited a couple of schools and found Terra to be the one that would best suit my needs. Boy, was I nervous my first quarter. Not only was I older than most of my classmates, but I also was not sure if I had the ability to learn.
Standing here today tells me that I not only had the ability to learn, but that I excelled at it. This year I had the honor of being selected for a place on the All-Ohio Academic Team and served as president of Terra’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Phi Theta Kappa has been a major influence in my life and has given me the knowledge and ability to help others.
My educational journey has exceeded all of my expectations. For the first time in my life, I am beginning to realize my goals – goals that are the result of my education. I think that with an education, a person has more foundation and structure in his or her life. Terra has given me that! This piece of paper we are about to receive represents many things, but most of all it represents knowledge. This knowledge gives us power, the power not only to improve our lives, but also the lives of others. The most important thing that I have learned is that a person is never too old to gain an education, and that once you have it, no one can take it away.
The best advice that I can give to my fellow graduates is to continue your education. You may think that this degree is enough, but take it from someone who knows; What is good today may not be sufficient in five years. For those of you that have been actively involved with Phi Theta Kappa, take what you have learned here and continue to use it to help others.
I would like to leave you with this final thought. Education is the foundation that structures our lives and you are never too old to learn!
Thank You!
