Graduation Speech – Class of 2010 Lyndon State College Department of Mountain Recreation Management

Good afternoon and welcome. [PAUSE AND LOOK AROUND ROOM] I would like to start by offering my congratulations to the students of the class of 2010. [LOOK AT GRADUATES AND SMILE.] I would also like to thank professors, staff, guests, family and friends [LOOK AROUND AT AUDIENCE] for the important contributions you have made and not just for being here today, [PAUSE, EYE CONTACT] but for being here throughout the journey these students have embarked on.
We are here to honor the hard work and accomplishments of these
graduates. [PAUSE LOOK AT GRASUATES]For some, it is earning the degree; for others, it is the recognition of high honors. You have shared recreational experiences with your classmates and engaged members of the community in a variety of recreational activities. Many of you have traveled to other parts of the country for internship experiences and brought your recreational management skills back to your hometowns during summer vacations. You are the first class of Lyndon State graduates of this decade and the first class from the newly renamed Department of Mountain Recreation Management.
The new name represents your new role in the constantly changing
recreation industry. [PAUSE] As you celebrate the completion of this stage of your education, know that you must be lifelong learners if you are to be the new industry leaders at resorts and recreation facilities throughout the region, across the nation and around the globe.
Some people might think, “How hard can it be to get a degree in recreation? Didn’t you already know how to have fun BEFORE you went to college?” [PAUSE] Admittedly, our skills classes like skiing, rock climbing and canoeing, just to name a few, were a lot of fun. But we have learned so much more than that, so many other skills. We have learned to be professionals. We have learned to teach and challenge others. We have learned to challenge ourselves. We have learned to promote personal safety and how to respect and preserve our natural environment for outdoor recreation. We have learned how to communicate with others and how to accept criticism from others. We have learned how to take responsibility for our mistakes and acknowledge the support of others for a job well done. This is how leaders are made.
And now, [PAUSE] I would like to quote a famous cliché by the author, Theodor Suess Geisel, known to children as Dr. Seuss, from Oh! The Places You’ll Go: [READ SLOW]
“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

This is the truly tough part, choosing your own direction. [PAUSE] This is where you can decide if you want to work to live, or live to work. How you choose to give back to your communities will be how you leave a mark on the world. This could be done though the work you do for a living as well as how you live your life outside of work.
Our degree is recognition of our education and the knowledge acquired while at this institution. It is indeed a valuable asset. However,
[PAUSE] we must be careful not to mistake “knowledge” for “knowing it all.” Knowledge is power and we must use it wisely.
[SLOW] Now, to the graduates of Lyndon State College, Class of 2010, Department of Mountain Recreation Management: work hard and make recreation happen. Make it fun, make it safe, GO OUT AND PLAY!
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