HATS OFF
With commencement behind 1,000 Grand Valley State University graduates, it’s time to reimagine your future as even brighter than you did when this began.
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First off, we’d like to say congratulations. Whether it took you 10 years or four, if you’re one of the 1,000 students who crossed the stage at Saturday’s commencement ceremony, you survived the unforgiving world of higher education, and you’re one degree – and a whole world of wisdom – better off than you were on your first day at Grand Valley State University.
It’s a tough time for graduates, not just at GVSU, but nationwide. With record unemployment numbers that seem to improve only marginally with time, recent grads are staring into the face of a real world that looks much different than they’ve always imagined it would be.
There’s a very real reality out there that it’s time to face, graduates: you will probably not get the job you thought you would right out of the gates, some will not even get the internship you hoped you would, and many of you will probably have to move back into your parents house and sleep in the bedroom you thought you’d never return to.
However, this is not the time to dwell on where you might not be, but rather, the time to think about how far you’ve already made it – about how many hardships you’ve already endured, and how many obstacles you’ve already overcome.
Commencement speaker, Susan Ford Bales, did a great job surmising the attitude that our generation faces.
“Graduates, I’m sure you’re aware that pundits and social critics are often critical of your generation,” she said. “They claim this new generation is unlike the so-called greatest generation. They gave so often, sacrificed so much, and your generation, they say, is selfish and unwilling to sacrifice.”
But here’s the thing: Despite (or, perhaps in spite) of those record unemployment numbers, record amounts of student loan debt and negativity from the people who got us into this mess, we have worked – and continue to work – tirelessly toward a degree that so many people have told us will not mean anything, just because we believe in a better world.
And if you can’t find it in your heart to go out there and do it for an ideology, then do it because you’ve got something to prove. Do it because no matter how impossible it seems, you’ve already defeated impossible odds – and that, all by itself, is a testament to what you are capable of.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
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In Housing / Roommates
- Subleaser need in Campus View this Summer. Can move in any day. Rent is 335 a month. Contact ...
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