Meghan Cumby—Valedictorian

I'm a fourth year journalism student who has been to about nine graduations. Like all traditions, graduations tend to simply fill a formula, including the valedictorian speech. Since I don't want to hear the same valedictorian speech for a tenth time, I'm running for valedictorian to make this one different (and hopefully interesting). I'll try to make this speech as dynamic and entertaining as the grad class itself. What will be in the speech is a mystery, but here's what won't be in it: lame jokes, tired clichés, advice that you've heard in every motivational speech, gratuitous sentimentality (apologies if you like any or all of the aforementioned).

Sandy Lugar—Valedictorian

My Fellow Graduates,

I have woken up many mornings over the past 4 years wondering what I am doing here. I have asked myself many questions, second guessing my decisions not only to come, but also to stay here. Now that I reflect back on myself, asking those questions, I realized that what I was looking for was meaning. I was looking for a reason to be here, and that reason was something I had to figure out for myself, as all of you have done at some point in your tenure at STU. In a lecture Dr. Higgins gave in one of my classes, he said that university is one of, if not the only, time in our lives that we will be able to discuss ideas, and what they mean to us. It is through our understanding of these ideas that make us and those around us better people.

St. Thomas has made me a better person. I have learned to ask questions, I have learned not simply to hear, but to listen.  I have learned to be critical of what I see and hear. I guess you could say that I’ve learned to “think for myself.”

Within this university is a very unique community, it has taught us how to be individuals within something much greater than just ourselves. This place is our home away from home. I would be honoured if you elected me as your Valedictorian.

Sincerely,

Alexander “Sandy” Lugar