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My fellow classmates, President Noonan, members of the Board of Trustees, Faculty, honored guests, and friends of the Bloomfield College family, Bloomfield College is an institution committed to preparing its students for success in a multicultural, global, and technologically-sophisticated society; committed to the creation of a teaching and learning environment that celebrates diversity, promotes freedom of expression, and encourages a commitment to social responsibility. It empowers the individual to excel on intellectual, personal, professional, and social levels. It helps them grow as a person. But it takes a community to support an individual, and it is the community that gives Bloomfield College its strength. It is an aspect mentioned often in the marketing materials and speeches, but can be an elusive element to define to those not fortunate enough to experience it first-hand. So let me tell you a personal story that should help in understanding the type of community present here at Bloomfield College.

As many of you already know, I have been unable to attend any classes since the end of March. I was diagnosed with a rare, malignant bone cancer called Chordoma and am currently recovering from the second of three operations to remove it. The vertebrae where the tumor resided must also be removed, and is being replaced by titanium supports. As you can imagine, surgery of the spine and removal of vertebrae is an arduous, painful, and life-altering experience. Even after full recovery from the final surgery is done, I will never again live life in exactly the same way that I did before. There are limitations, (and those of you who know me know how much I hate even the word), and there is monitoring through tests and self-evaluations; constant reminders of the threat posed to a life deemed more fragile. These are the thoughts I now live with. Seven weeks they’ve been forming. Seven long weeks.

During this time I have been blessed with an abundance of love and support from family and friends. Foremost is my partner Craig, who took an extended leave from work to be with me every minute that I’ve needed him. Who has never left my side and put my needs above his own. Who puts up with my impatience and anger at newly imposed “limitations”. His family who surround us with additional support, even while going through their own medical crises. My mother, who made a special trip out from Oregon to be with me through the second, and most difficult of the operations. And the multitude of additional family and friends who visit, call, email, and send gifts to cheer me up. These are many of the people who have helped me make it through this difficult period in my life, but they are not the only ones.

For I would not be standing before you today if it was not for the communal support of the faculty, staff, and students of Bloomfield College. My class professors, Dr. Bane, Dr. Chambers, Professor Burnett, and Dr. Polakoff who went out of their way to afford me opportunities to finish up my class work from home. Especially Erica Polakoff and Tom Slaughter, who spent 8 hours of their personal time to drive up to my house and conduct a discussion of class material so that I could write my final essay. Lois Farina-Reilly and Dean Anderson have made special efforts to keep in touch with me during my illness, offering whatever help they could; words of encouragement, coordinating the fulfillment of graduation requirements, and supporting the great honor that I have in speaking to you today.

These are the foremost examples of the level of compassion and support that faculty and staff have shown these past weeks. Examples of actions that help build an environment that breeds the same level of caring from the students. Students like Ron Scott, who unselfishly took over all of the special project duties that I was involved with, both here at college and in our mutual business endeavors. His actions saved me from stress and worry that I was in no position to handle at the time. And although he was in a position to help me directly, I know that he is not alone in his compassion and support of others. There are many other students, just like there are many other faculty and staff, who given the opportunity would, and in the past have, gone out of their way to help. For these past acts I would like to thank Professors Rabinowitz and Towsend of the Creative Arts and Technology division. Together they have given me unprecedented support in both my academic work, and in my special project endeavors. John Towsend has spent countless hours outside of the classroom and office helping me achieve both personal and group goals, and also took the time over Easter break to visit me at home. He has added to the value of my college experience, and was the first faculty member that I chose to call “friend”.

These are specific examples of experiences I have had. And although my situation is unique, I know that my experiences are not. I see many of you nodding your heads as I talk, and know that we share these feelings. We have all had similar experiences, for we are part of the same community. As graduates we have spent at least the past 2 years here at Bloomfield College. And we are fortunate for that time. Fortunate to have been a part of such a supportive and caring community. For those of our family and friends who are here today – that is the definition of community here at Bloomfield, that is the special role that the college has played in our lives. It is a role that few colleges, for all of their money, awards, and prestige can boast of. And it is something that we can all be proud of.

And for us, the graduates of 2003, there lies a lesson that I hope you take with you. No matter what your major, no matter what classes you took, events you attended, or groups you participated in, the most important lesson learned here at Bloomfield College is the value of community; of reaching out and helping others, whether they be family, friends, or people you hardly know – even strangers. It is the compassion, willingness, and passion for helping others that makes us valuable contributors to society. And it is those valuable contributions, not money, power, or fame, that creates happiness in this world. So take that lesson with you; to graduate school, to work, and to the communities around your homes. To paraphrase Einstein and one of his timeless educational speeches: “Try not to become a person of success, but rather to become a person of value.”

Thank you.