Geoffery Mearns is the President of Ball State University. He is writing as a guest writer for the Ball State Daily News. His views do not necessarily represent those of the paper.
Over the course of my life, I have attended many commencement ceremonies — perhaps more than 100 of them. I had many reasons to attend these ceremonies: as a graduate, as a parent, and, most recently, as a university administrator. And I have distinct memories from some of those experiences.
For example, I remember attending the “clap out” ceremonies when my five children completed elementary school. I remember when my daughter, Christina, graduated from high school, and my wife, Jennifer, presented the diploma to Christina, because Jennifer was a member of the local school board. And I remember when my twins, Geoffrey, Jr., and Molly, were unable to participate in their college commencement ceremonies in May 2020, because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I distinctly remember the first commencement ceremony that I attended after becoming the provost of Cleveland State University. My memories of that day are shaped by how I felt watching an elderly woman cross the stage to receive her undergraduate diploma, tears running down her cheeks. In that moment, it was clear to me that this woman had fulfilled her lifelong dream of earning a college degree. That experience continues to remind me that I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as the president of Ball State University, because we help people achieve their personal dreams.
I also remember listening to Dr. Freeman Hrabowski deliver his commencement address, “The Power of Stories,” during our University’s commencement ceremony in December 2019. Dr. Hrabowski shared a vivid childhood memory that communicated to our graduates and their families what it means to cherish an important experience.
Reflecting on his commencement remarks made me realize that I never properly cherished the commencement ceremonies I participated in as a graduate. I don’t recall who the commencement speaker was the afternoon I graduated from Yale with my undergraduate degree. And the same is true of the day I earned my law degree from the University of Virginia. In both instances, I suspect I was too focused on the future. Instead, what I should have been more focused on was everything I had accomplished as a result of the support of so many people in my life — my professors and advisors, my coaches and my parents, my family, my teammates and my close friends.
I share these recollections to encourage all of our graduates to learn from my shortsightedness. On this special occasion, be present. Be grateful for the people who helped make this milestone possible. And be proud of all that you have accomplished as Cardinals.
Truly cherish this day, so that you will remember it for many years to come.
Congratulations.
Contact the Office of the President via email at president@bsu.edu.
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