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CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BUFORT COUNTY, THE THE FACULTY OF THE FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH, THE UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT EDUCATION FOUNDATION, THE BUFORT JASPER HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION, AND THE BUFORT COLLEGE TRUSTEES, THE PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE CHAS FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
MERRICK SKIPPER, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
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FOR JOINING US TODAY.PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE INVOCATION DELIVERED BY REVEREND DANIEL.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL DAY TO CELEBRATE.
IF YOU FEEL SO INCLINED, PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
GRACIOUS AND HOLY GOD, WE INVITE YOU HERE ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS JOYOUS DAY, AND WE PAUSE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT IN.
WE ASK FOR THE WISDOM TO RECOGNIZE OUR GIFTS AND TO SERVE WITH GRATITUDE.
BLESS THESE GRADUATES AS THEY PURSUE THEIR DREAMS IN UNEXPECTED WAYS.
PROVIDE THEM WITH THE COURAGE TO MOVE BEYOND FEAR AND DOUBT, TO FIND STRENGTH IN THEIR CAPACITY TO CARE FOR OTHERS, AND TO RESPECT THE DIVERSITY OF HUMANKIND THROUGH YOUR STRENGTH.
WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THEM WITH PATIENCE AS THEY EXPLORE NEW HORIZONS.
BLESS THEM WITH COMPASSION FOR THE POOR, THE SICK, AND THE SUFFERING.
BLESS THEM WITH GRATITUDE FOR FRIENDS, MENTORS, AND FAMILY WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THEM THROUGH THIS JOURNEY.
AND BLESS US ALL, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FACULTY, MENTORS, AND SUPPORTERS AS WE SHARE IN THE JOY OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WELCOME TO THE FALL 2023 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT.
I WANT TO OFFER MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2023 AS YOU PREPARE TO RECEIVE YOUR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE.
I ALSO WANT TO WELCOME FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR LONG JOURNEY.
AND OF COURSE, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION, OUR DEDICATED FACULTY, INVITED GUESTS AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BEAUFORT, JASPER HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION, BEAUFORT COLLEGE TRUSTEES, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WHO ARE MAKING THIS DAY SO VERY SPECIAL.
BY ATTENDING TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE TO THE CLASS OF 2023, YOU ARE APPROACHING A MAJOR MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO EARN A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE SIGNIFYING THE COMPLETION OF A RIGOROUS COURSE OF STUDY IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD.
EARNING A BA BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN TODAY'S ACADEMIC WORLD TAKES A COMBINATION OF GREAT PERSISTENCE AND THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES.
YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED BOTH CHARACTERISTICS AND YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE DEMANDING COURSEWORK REQUIRED FOR A UNIVERSITY DEGREE WHILE OVERCOMING THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES OF BALANCING SCHOOLWORK WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, POSSIBLY A JOB, FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES, SOCIAL COMMITMENTS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
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IS PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.EACH OF YOU HAS OVERCOME CHALLENGES ALONG THE PATH TO EARNING YOUR DEGREE.
THE STUDENT'S STORY I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU NEXT IS JUST ONE OF MANY EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS AMONG YOU.
DANIEL YID NECK LOPEZ IS A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT BORN TO IMMIGRANT PARENTS.
SHE AND HER TWO BROTHERS WERE RAISED BY THEIR MOTHER FROM THE AGE OF 15 TO HER TIME HERE AT USCB.
DANIEL HAS JUGGLED TWO JOBS ALONG WITH HER SCHOOLWORK AND SIGNIFICANT OUTSIDE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES CONNECTED TO HER MAJOR DANIEL'S ACADEMIC JOURNEY.
AFTER SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, SHE ENROLLED IN A LARGE STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMPLETED HER CORE COURSES, BUT AFTER TWO YEARS, DECIDED THAT IT WASN'T THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR HER.
I WASN'T THE BEST AT MAKING FRIENDS.
I I WAS AWAY FROM MY FAMILY, SHE SAID.
THEN IN 2020, A PIVOTAL EVENT IN DANIEL'S LIFE CAME WHEN SHE LOST HER BROTHER.
THAT'S WHEN SHE DECIDED THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT COMES HER WAY, SHE WAS GOING TO FACE HER CHALLENGES HEAD ON AND ACCOMPLISH HER LIFE'S GOAL.
SO SHE ENROLLED AT USCB AND SELECTED THE NATURAL SCIENCES PROGRAM.
I NEVER HAD THE BEST SUPPORT SYSTEM.
I'VE ALWAYS HAD TO PUSH MYSELF TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS.
SHE SAID DANIEL'S PERSISTENCE AND HER ABILITY TO MEET DEADLINES TO EXCEL IN CLASS AND TO MASTER THE COURSEWORK IN MARINE BIOLOGY DREW THE ATTENTION OF DR. MERCER BRUER AND DR. DANIEL PETTY.
BRUER IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MARINE BIOLOGY AND DR. PETTY IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY.
BOTH SCHOLARS ARE IN OUR DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES.
FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER OF HER JUNIOR YEAR TO THE LAST SEMESTER OF HER SENIOR YEAR, DANIELLE WORKED WITH THE TWO PROFESSORS AS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT.
THEY ENCOURAGED HER, MENTORED HER, AND CAREFULLY MONITORED HER PROGRESS.
TWO SUMMERS AGO, DANIELLE WAS ACCEPTED AS AN INTERN AT A RESEARCH LABORATORY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA.
SHE CONTRIBUTED TO RESEARCH PROGRAMS INVOLVING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS THAT THAT THREATEN OUR MARINE ECOSYSTEM.
RETURNING TO CAMPUS, SHE PRESENTED HER WORK TO FACULTY AND PEERS.
LAST SUMMER, SHE WAS ACCEPTED INTO A MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM INVOLVING AQUACULTURE.
SHE ATTENDED SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES, NETWORKED WITH MARINE SCIENTISTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND SOLIDIFIED HER INTEREST IN THE FIELD.
DANIEL SAYS, DOCTORS BRUER AND PETTY HAVE HELPED ME FIND THE CONFIDENCE I NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I WOULD NOT BE HERE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT THEM.
TODAY, DANIELLE LPE LO LOPEZ WILL RECEIVE HER BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN BIOLOGY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN COASTAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION.
NEXT MONTH, SHE WILL JOIN THE PEER SIDE PROGRAM, A YEAR LONG IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OFFERED BY THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY.
IT IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREER NETWORKING AND MENTORING IN OCEAN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, THE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS.
SHARKS EMBODY ELEMENTS OF THIS SUCCESS STORY
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AND OR ELSE YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.I WISH WE HAD TIME RIGHT NOW TO TELL EACH OF YOUR STORIES.
PLEASE NOTE THOUGH, I AM BEYOND PROUD OF ALL OF YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO SHAKE YOUR HAND AS YOU GO FORWARD FROM THIS DAY.
REMEMBER THAT OBSTACLES MAY THREATEN TO DERAIL YOUR PROGRESS, BUT DON'T ALLOW THEM TO STOP IT.
HEED THE WORDS OF OUR FOREMOST BASKETBALL PHILOSOPHER MICHAEL JORDAN, WHO SAID OBSTACLES DON'T HAVE TO STOP YOU.
IF YOU RUN INTO A WALL, DON'T TURN AROUND AND GIVE UP.
FIGURE OUT HOW TO CLIMB IT, GO THROUGH IT OR WORK AROUND IT.
AS YOU LEAVE THIS CEREMONY TODAY TO CELEBRATE AFTER REACHING ONE OF LIFE'S MAJOR MILESTONES, I ASK YOU JUST ONE MORE THING.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD.
UTILIZE THE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS YOU HAVE ACQUIRED AT USCB.
USE YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.
MAKE YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE AND MAKE YOUR STORY ONE OF TRIUMPHS.
AND REMEMBER, JUST AS WE SUPPORTED YOU DURING YOUR ACADEMIC JOURNEY AT USCB, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LAND SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS YOU VENTURE OFF ON A CAREER PATH OR ENROLL IN GRADUATE SCHOOL.
TELL US HOW ARE YOU DOING YEARS FROM NOW? WE WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY, BUT FOR NOW, EMBRACE LIFELONG LEARNING, WORK HARD, BE WELL, AND MAKE US PROUD.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE TODAY'S SPECIAL GUESTS AS YOUR NAME IS CALLED.
PLEASE HOLD THE APPLAUSE UNTIL ALL GUESTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FROM THE BEAUFORT JASPER HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION AND REPRESENTING BUFORT COLLEGE TRUSTEES, DR.
LARRY ROLAND, THE TRUSTEES, THE BEAUFORT COLLEGE TRUSTEES ARE HERE EACH YEAR AS ASSEMBLE OF OUR REGION'S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION, WHICH DATES BACK TO THE FOUNDING OF BEAUFORT COLLEGE IN 1795.
FROM THE USCB EDUCATION FOUNDATION, MR. JUSTIN RICE, CHAIRMAN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BUFORT, DR.
ERIC SKIPPER, PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, DR. MURRAY SKIS, FACULTY SENATE CHAIR, DR.
BRIAN CANADA, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS.
DR. GORDON HEIST, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, DR. RICHARD ALDEAN, OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER, THE REVEREND DANIEL KAEV AND MR. JACK LING, OUR STUDENT SPEAKER.
AND BECAUSE SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY IS A TEAM EFFORT, PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING MY WIFE, MRS. JUDITH PNU, FIRST LADY OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, BUFORD.
USCB HAS A WORLD CLASS GROUP OF TEACHER SCHOLARS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO TEACHING, RESEARCH AND SERVICE.
THEY INSPIRE, I MOTIVATE AND LEAD OUR STUDENTS TO DISCOVER POWERFUL FUTURES ON THIS EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.
THEIR DEDICATION IS UNWAVERING AND A BIG PART OF OUR STUDENT SUCCESS WILL THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT FACULTY.
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STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.USCB IS ALSO GRACED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY STAFF WITHOUT WHOM THIS INSTITUTION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS.
THEIR DEDICATION TO STUDENT SUCCESS AND TO THE UNIVERSITY IS UNSURPASSED AND THEIR AMAZING TALENTS AND COMMITMENT CREATE THIS COMMUNITY IN WHICH OUR STUDENTS THRIVE.
WILL THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT STAFF, PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
OUR GRADUATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS REFLECT THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS HAVE MADE TO REACH THIS MILESTONE STONE.
MANY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ARE HERE WITH US.
WHILE OTHERS ARE JOINING US VIRTUALLY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN, WOULD ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.
PLEASE STAND, PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
IT IS NOW MY GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DR. RICHARD O.
DR. RICHARD OSBA SERVES AS A PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY IN A DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES.
HIS JOURNEY BEGAN IN CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, BUT QUICKLY TRANSITIONED TO THE SOUTHEAST REGION OF THE UNITED STATES.
AFTER EARNING HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, HIS EDUCATION CONTINUED BUT SHIFTED IN FOCUS.
THROUGHOUT HIS TRAVEL ACROSS THE GLOBE, HIS INTEREST STARTED ALIGNING WITH THE SCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR AND ULTIMATELY LANDED HIM WITH A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY.
HIS FOCUS BEGAN EXPLORING THE QUESTION OF WHY BEHIND OF ALL HUMAN BEHAVIOR.
TODAY, HIS PASSION LIES WITH WORKING WITH STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY HELPING THEM GAIN RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TAKING ONE OF HIS COURSES HAVE SPOKEN INCREDIBLY HIGHLY OF HIM.
AS AN EDUCATOR, IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TO WELCOME TO THE PODIUM DR. RICHARD OAL, OR AS HE IS KNOWN AROUND CAMPUS, DR.
UM, GOOD MORNING AND, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION, DR.
PNU, OUR CHANCELLOR AND HIS WIFE JUDITH, DR.
SKIPPER, OUR PROVOST AND HIS WIFE, JULIE INVITED DIGNITARIES, MY FACULTY, COLLEAGUES, FACULTY, UH, MY WIFE, KELLY
WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY TO WITNESS THE MOMENT WHEN YOUR OFFSPRING BECOME COLLEGE GRADUATES.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CANDIDATES SITTING HERE BEFORE ME AWAITING TO RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMAS.
I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.
AS I LOOK OUT AT THE FAMILIES GATHERED HERE TODAY, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF MY OWN PARENTS AND HOW MUCH THEY VALUED EDUCATION AND I'M THRILLED FOR YOU ALL AS NOW YOUR EDUCATION BECOMES A SIGNIFICANT PART OF YOUR FAMILY'S LEGACY.
DO, DO YOU REALIZE HOW OUTSTANDING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE? YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT ONLY 6% OF THE POPULATION OF PLANET EARTH HAS A COLLEGE DEGREE.
YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE 6% OF THE MOST EDUCATED PEOPLE IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE.
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I'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT ON AVERAGE A PERSON WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE CAN EARN UP TO A MILLION DOLLARS MORE OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR LIFETIME THAN A PERSON WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE.AS IMPRESSIVE AS THIS STATISTIC SOUNDS, I BELIEVE THERE IS MUCH GREATER VALUE IN WHAT YOU HAVE JUST ACCOMPLISHED.
I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A VISION OR AT LEAST A GLIMPSE OF WHAT YOUR BEST SELF MIGHT BE, OF WHAT YOUR BEST LIFE MIGHT BE, OF WHAT LEGACY YOU WILL LEAVE TO THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW.
I WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE.
I WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT FOR RECEIVING YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE, YOU'LL NOW FIND THE PERFECT JOB, THE PERFECT PARTNER, AND YOU'LL LIVE THE PERFECT LIFE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CEREMONY DOES NOT MARK THAT OCCASION AS THERE IS NO SUCH OCCASION IN LIFE.
THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES AHEAD, THERE WILL BE, BUT JUST AS YOU OVERCAME THE CHALLENGE OF ADJUSTING TO COLLEGE LIFE, OF LEAVING HOME, MAKING NEW FRIENDS, RISING ABOVE THE DEMANDS OF ACADEMIC WORK, SO TOO WILL YOU MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT LIFE HAS IN STORE FOR YOU.
I HAVE A FEW HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD OF YOU.
FIRST, UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF LATENT LEARNING.
LATENT MEANS HIDDEN OR NOT OBVIOUS.
NOW, WHILE YOU WERE A COLLEGE STUDENT, THE LEARNING WAS VERY OBVIOUS.
YOU KNEW YOU WERE ENGAGED IN THE LEARNING PROCESS AND YOU KNEW WHAT THE LESSONS WERE.
NOW IN YOUR POSTGRADUATE YEARS, YOU WILL ENCOUNTER HARD LESSONS AND YOU MUST LEARN WITHOUT THE AID OF A TEXTBOOK, LECTURE, NOTES, OR A HELPFUL MENTOR.
YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE LESSONS WERE UNTIL LONG AFTER YOU HAVE LEARNED THEM.
SECONDLY, LEARN HOW TO FAIL FORWARD.
THE BIG DECISIONS YOU MAKE IN LIFE HAVE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.
VERY FEW THINGS WORK OUT AS PLANNED FULLY.
30% OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE A JOB STAY WITH IT FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR.
YOU CAN FAIL FORWARD BY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING GOOD FROM EVERY BAD THING THAT HAPPENS.
THERE'S A TECHNICAL TERM FOR THIS, WE CALL IT EXPERIENCE.
THIRD, PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT EASY IS A MYTH.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EASY.
YOU MAY THINK THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE IT EASIER, THAT THINGS ARE EASIER FOR THEM THAN FOR YOU.
BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT EASY FOR ANYONE.
THEY'VE JUST FOUND A WAY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT HASN'T OCCURRED TO YOU YET.
FOURTH, UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SUCCESS.
RATHER, FAILURE IS THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESS.
AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY, DON'T BE WEIGHED DOWN BY HEAVY STONES FROM NEGATIVE EXPECTATIONS, FRUSTRATION, DISAPPOINTMENT, MAYBE EVEN ANGER OR ANXIETY.
INSTEAD, LEARN FROM THE NEGATIVES.
TAKE A LESSON FROM THE DISAPPOINTMENTS, FROM THE LESS THAN HAPPY OUTCOMES IN LIFE.
KEEP MOVING TOWARD YOUR LAND OF PROMISE.
AND REMEMBER, YOUR LAND OF PROMISE IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF EVERYONE ELSE.
ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS AND ONLY YOU KNOW HOW TO GET THERE.
AND FINALLY, EVEN IN THE WORST OF TIMES, PLEASE DON'T GO A DAY WITHOUT BEING GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING AS FULFILLING IN YOUR LIFE AS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S.
YOU MAY NOT BE A WORLD CHAMPION, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS BE A CHAMPION IN SOMEONE ELSE'S WORLD.
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN ONE OF MY PSYCHOLOGY CLASSES KNOW
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THAT I ALWAYS BEGIN EVERY LECTURE, EVERY PRESENTATION WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE.ONE QUOTE THAT I PARTICULARLY LIKE IS EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS GENIUS LEVEL TALENT.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND.
EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS GENIUS LEVEL TALENT.
THERE IS SOMETHING ON THIS EARTH THAT YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.
THERE IS A MISSION AND A PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND WHAT YOU ARE GREAT AT AND TAP INTO IT.
NOW, THIS QUOTE DOESN'T COME FROM THE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS LIKE ARISTOTLE OR NIETZSCHE.
IT COMES FROM THE POPULAR ENTERTAINER, JAY-Z.
AND HE WAS A MAN WHO EXPERIENCED ENOUGH OF LIFE TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.
AS YOU LEAVE THESE FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS AND SET OUT ON YOUR JOURNEY, YOU MUST COME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SKILLS AND TALENTS YOU HAVE, WHAT YOUR GOOD AT, AND WHAT PATH YOU WANT TO FOLLOW.
NOW HERE'S MY ALL TIME FAVORITE QUOTE.
THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE ON EARTH IS THE HUMAN SOUL ON FIRE.
WE HAVE PREPARED YOU FOR THE JOURNEY WE HAVE INSTILLED IN YOU THE TOOLS AND SKILLS THAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR DEGREE AND GO FORTH INTO THE WORLD AND FIND OUT WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHEDDING THE LIGHT FORWARD FOR US.
I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY PLACE HERE,
KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING.
NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR OWN GRADUATING SAND SHARKS.
THERE ARE MANY MOMENTS THAT FILL ME WITH GREAT PRIDE, BUT BEING ABLE TO INTRODUCE A-U-S-C-B STUDENT IS AMONGST MY PROUDEST.
OUR STUDENT SPEAKER, JACK LING, IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS THAT SO MANY USCB GRADUATE EXPERIENCE.
JOINING US FROM ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA.
JACK IS GRADUATING TODAY FROM OUR PALMETTO COLLEGE PROGRAM WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY.
HIS ACADEMIC JOURNEY IN 2004 BEGAN, I'M SORRY, HIS ACADEMIC JOURNEY BEGAN IN 2004.
BUT AS WE KNOW, LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS LINEAR.
JACK'S TENACITY, TALENTS AND WORK ETHICS HAVE LED HIM HERE TODAY.
FOLLOWING GRADUATION, JACK IS THRILLED TO BE PURSUING HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.
LIKE SO MANY OF OUR GRADUATES TODAY, HE IS EAGER TO USE HIS TALENTS TO HELP OTHERS.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MS. JACK LING.
UM, JUST LET ME SOAK THIS IN FOR A SECOND.
I HAVE SO MANY BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH RIGHT NOW.
UM, I FEEL LIKE I COULD FLOAT OFF STAGE
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AND I WROTE THAT ABOUT A MONTH AGO.'CAUSE I KNEW I WAS GONNA FEEL THAT WAY.
I, BUT I WANTED TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR SELECTING ME AND FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY IN FRONT OF ALL YOU GUYS.
REALLY, ONLY IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION THAT I EVER CONSIDERED, I'D BE GIVEN A SPEECH AT MY COLLEGE GRADUATION.
I DON'T KNOW WHO NOMINATED ME AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.
AND I DON'T REMEMBER THIS BEING ON MY BUCKET LIST, BUT I'M GONNA CHECK IT OFF ANYWAYS.
UM, WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I WAS MEANT TO BE HERE, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
AND I CONSIDER A TRUE HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE SPEAKING TODAY.
WHEN I WAS INITIALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO SAY, UH, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT ABOUT AN EPISODE OF THE OFFICE.
UM, IT WAS AN EPISODE WHERE DWIGHT HAS TO GIVE A SPEECH IN FRONT OF A LARGE AUDIENCE AND HE GETS SO NERVOUS.
HE PANICS, RIGHT? AND HE GETS UP ON STAGE AND HE POUNDS ON THE PODIUM.
AND HE SAYS, BLOOD ALONE MOVES THE WHEELS OF HISTORY RIGHT NOW.
THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY DRAMATIC AND FOR THE SHOW, BUT THE PHRASE ITSELF WAS HISTORIC BLOOD ALONE MOVES THE WHEELS OF HISTORY.
AND IT LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON ME.
TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, I WOULD SAY THAT SACRIFICE MOVES US FORWARD.
AND I FIND THIS TO BE VERY, VERY TRUE.
AS IF SOME LAW OF NATURE IS CONNECTED TO IT.
RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE SACRIFICED TIME, ENERGY, AND RESOURCE TO MAKE IT HERE TODAY.
WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT MEANS TO ME? IT MEANS THAT SACRIFICE IS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS.
AND IT ALSO MEANS THAT EACH OF YOU HAS REACHED BEYOND YOURSELF FOR A PURPOSE, FOR A REASON, TO SACRIFICE.
IN THE SAME WAY THAT EACH OF YOU HAS SACRIFICED FOR YOUR FUTURE.
SO TOO HAS THE ENTIRE GRADUATING CLASS SACRIFICED FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.
WE ALL ARE DOING OUR PART AND SACRIFICE MOVES US FORWARD.
SO LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
RAISED IN SOUTH CAROLINA, I GREW UP POOR AND IN A BROKEN HOME.
AND BY AGE 10, MY FAMILY EXPERIENCED REAL HARDSHIP.
AND IN AN INSTANT, I HAD REALIZED AT AGE 10 THAT THE DIRECTION OF MY LIFE WAS IN MY HANDS.
SO AS A TEENAGER, I WANTED TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
SO IN HIGH SCHOOL, I HAD COMMITTED TO FOUR YEARS OF J-R-O-T-C.
I WAS PLANNING FOR A MILITARY SERVICE CAREER SO I COULD RETIRE.
BUT THEN WHEN IT CAME TIME TO ENLIST, I FOUND OUT I WAS DISQUALIFIED DUE TO A MINOR HEARING LOSS THAT IT REALLY THREW ME FOR A LOOP.
IT WAS PAINFUL, YOU KNOW, HAVING INVESTED SO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY INTO THE PROGRAM AND THEN NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO, IT WAS VERY PAINFUL.
BUT STILL, I KNEW THAT MY FUTURE WAS IN MY HANDS.
PLAN B WAS TO GO TO COLLEGE FOR ENGINEERING.
SO IN 2004, I ATTENDED MY FIRST CLASS CALCULUS, UHUH UHUH.
I DROPPED THAT CLASS FASTER THAN A COVID MASK OUTDOORS.
MY NEXT CLASSES WERE IN PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY, BOTH OF WHICH I HAD NEVER STUDIED BEFORE.
I IMMEDIATELY FELT AT HOME IN THOSE CLASSES AND SAW A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH ON MY HORIZON.
WELL, AFTER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, I DROPPED OUT FOR PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL REASONS, BUT THEN DID WHAT ALL COLLEGE DROPOUTS DO.
I MOVED BACK HOME AND JOINED A HEAVY METAL BAND, RIGHT? YEAH, I HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH THE BAND, YOU KNOW, AND I GOT TO CHECK OFF A FEW THINGS ON MY BUCKET LIST.
UM, BUT I KNEW I HAD TO GET BACK ON TRACK.
AFTER A WHILE, I ENROLLED IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I LEFT THE BAND AND I GOT TWO PART-TIME JOBS.
EVENTUALLY, I TOOK ON AN INTERNSHIP THAT TURNED INTO A DECADE LONG ENGINEERING CAREER.
WHILE WORKING THERE, I LEARNED NEW SKILLS, TOOK ON NEW RESPONSIBILITIES,
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AND MOVED UP THE LADDER RATHER QUICKLY.AS A YOUNG MAN WHO TOOK PRIDE IN HIS WORK, I REALLY ENJOYED WHAT I WAS DOING.
I WANTED TO START A FAMILY AND I WANTED TO OWN MY OWN BUSINESS.
AFTER MY SON WAS BORN ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, I STARTED TO EXPLORE MEDITATION AND PERSONAL GROWTH.
THIS KICKSTARTED LIKE A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD AND MY ROLE WITHIN IT.
DURING THAT TIME, I WAS GUIDED BY MY FAVORITE QUOTE, KNOW THYSELF.
THAT SIMPLE, YET PROFOUND ANCIENT WISDOM HAS INSPIRED ME TO FOREVER EXPLORE THE MANY LAYERS OF WHO AND WHAT I AM.
I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO DEVELOP AND PRACTICE ACTIVE SELF-REFLECTION AND MINDFULNESS.
THIS WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND NURTURE YOUR OWN STRENGTH AND VALUES, PARTICULARLY AS YOU GROW AND CHANGE.
IT'LL ALSO HELP YOU TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW YOU INTERACT WITH OTHERS.
NOW, DURING THIS INTENSE PERIOD OF PERSONAL GROWTH, I CAME ACROSS A BOOK CALLED THINK AND GROW RICH BY NAPOLEON HILL.
THIS SELF-DEVELOPMENT BOOK WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING MY MINDSET, AND I JUST WANNA SHARE WITH YOU A FEW PRINCIPLES FROM IT.
NUMBER ONE, HAVE A DEFINITE PURPOSE WITH WHATEVER YOU SET OUT TO DO FROM HERE.
YOUR PLAN DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLETE.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU HAVE A DIRECTION, AN AIM WITH A PURPOSE.
MANY OF YOU STARTED COLLEGE WITH A PURPOSE IN YOUR BACK POCKET AND A GOAL TO GRADUATE.
AND HERE YOU ARE WITH PURPOSE AND DIRECTION.
TURNING AMBITION INTO ACHIEVEMENT.
NUMBER TWO, TAKE ACTION WITH COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND POSITIVE FAITH.
AS YOU PROGRESS IN LIFE, DON'T JUST DREAM, ACT, MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
WHEN YOU FIND THAT THING THAT LIGHTS UP YOUR SOUL AGAIN AND AGAIN, CHASE IT WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE, FOLLOW IT LIKE IT IS A BEACON TO YOUR FUTURE.
'CAUSE IT JUST MIGHT BE YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY.
READY TO GRADUATE IS PROOF THAT YOU'VE APPLIED THESE PRINCIPLES ALREADY.
EACH OF YOU IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF PURPOSE.
ACTION, SACRIFICE AND FAITH ON THE ROAD AHEAD.
KEEP THESE PRINCIPLES IN MIND AND REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ALREADY.
IT WILL SERVE YOU WELL WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH.
NOW, GETTING BACK TO MY STORY, I STARTED A FAMILY.
I WAS LEARNING A LOT ABOUT MYSELF, BUT I STILL WANTED TO OWN MY OWN BUSINESS.
SO AFTER A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING, I DECIDED I WAS GONNA OPEN A FLOAT THERAPY SPA.
SO FOR AN ENGINEERING TO RUN IN A SPA QUITE DIFFERENT, I WAS GONNA BUILD A WELLNESS CENTER THAT OFFERED ACCESS TO SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANKS FOR RELAXATION AND HEALING.
SO I ADDED THOSE PRINCIPLES TO MY VISION BOARD, LEFT MY AWESOME JOB, AND WENT OUT TO BUILD A BUSINESS.
LONG STORY SHORT,
AND IT SOLIDIFIED IN ME A CONFIDENCE THAT I NEVER HAD, THAT I COULD INDEED MANIFEST THAT WHICH I DESIRE.
FOR YEARS NOW, THOSE MANY WORDS OF WISDOM HAVE KEPT ME FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN IN EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE.
NOW, WORKING AT THE SPA WAS GREAT, BUT DRAINING YOU.
YOU PUT IN A LOT OF HOURS WHEN YOU OWN A BUSINESS.
I FOUND THAT THE BEST PART WAS, UH, SPEAKING WITH CLIENTS AFTER THEIR SENSORY DEPRIVATION EXPERIENCE.
THEIR RELAXED AND CALM DEMEANOR MADE FOR SOME INTERESTING AND DEEP CONVERSATIONS.
ONE SUCH CLIENT WAS A THERAPIST FROM CHARLOTTE.
AFTER HER SESSION, WE CHATTED FOR HOURS AND QUICKLY BECAME GOOD FRIENDS.
[00:45:01]
AS OUR FRIENDSHIP GREW, SHE WOKE WITHIN ME A SLEEPING DESIRE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL TO BECOME A HEALER MYSELF.IN ESSENCE, SHE SHOWED ME THE MIRROR AND CONFIRMED WHAT I SAW IN MYSELF ALREADY.
BUT I HAD WRESTLED WITH THAT IDEA OF GOING BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
FOR ME, IT WAS LIKE CONQUERING ONE MOUNTAIN AND THEN SEEING ANOTHER ONE ON THE HORIZON AND GOING FOR IT.
AND NOW HERE I AM ON STAGE SPEAKING IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU.
MY PATH HAS NOT BEEN LINEAR NOR PREDICTABLE, AND I SUSPECT THAT NEITHER WILL YOURS.
SEE, I BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING YOUR HIGHEST EXCITEMENT AND EMBRACING EACH TWIST AND TURN AS THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE NEEDED TO GROW AND LEARN TODAY.
I'M TELLING YOU, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A CLEAR PLAN LAID OUT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
AS LONG AS YOU MOVE WITH AN AUTHENTIC SPIRIT TOWARDS WHAT RESONATES WITHIN YOU.
THE PATH WILL UNFOLD BEFORE YOU, AND THEN YOU GET TO CHOOSE THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE.
OKAY, MY FELLOW GRADUATES, THE PAGES OF OUR STORIES ARE STILL BEING WRITTEN.
MY SINCERE HOPE IS THAT YOU ALL CONTINUE TO PURPOSEFULLY WRITE YOUR OWN STORY AND CAPTAIN YOUR OWN SHIP.
THE PEN AND THE WHEEL ARE IN YOUR HANDS.
PLAY AS HARD AS YOU WORK AND CREATE YOUR LIFE WITH THE SAME COURAGE, DEDICATION, AND SPIRIT THAT HAS GOTTEN YOU HERE TODAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2023.
GET OUT THERE AND MOVE SOME WHEELS.
THANK YOU AGAIN, JACK, FOR YOUR INSPIRING MESSAGE.
NOW WE COME
NOW, EVERY GRADUATE'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE GRADUATE'S NAME READ AS THEY CROSSED THE STAGE.
SO MAY I ASK YOU TO PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE AND EXCLAMATIONS UNTIL THE LAST NAME IS READ.
I PROMISE YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATE'S ACHIEVEMENTS AFTER THE LAST NAME IS CALLED, I CALL UPON DR.
ERIC SKIPPER, PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO PRESENT THE CANDIDATE FOR DEGREES.
GOOD MORNING, WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES PLEASE RISE.
CHANCELLOR PANNU, ALL CANDIDATES WHO STAND BEFORE ME AND OTHERS WHO CANNOT BE PRESENT, BUT WHOSE ACHIEVEMENT IS BEING RECORDED OFFICIALLY BY THE UNIVERSITY, HAVING COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DEGREES, ARE HEREWITH RECOMMENDED BY THE FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE CONFERRAL OF THEIR DEGREES, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE ACTING THROUGH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ON THE TRUSTEES ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THIS INSTITUTION.
AND UNDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE FACULTY THEREOF, THE UNIVERSITY CONFERS UPON EACH OF YOU THE DEGREE FOR WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED TOGETHER WITH ALL THE RIGHTS, HONORS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES THERE TO OPPORT ARE PERTAINING CONGRATULATIONS.
[00:50:17]
AS THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREES COME FORWARD, PLEASE NOTE THAT SOMEWHERE GOLD CORDS ON THEIR SHOULDERS, THE COURTS SIGNIFY DEGREES EARNED WITH ACADEMIC LATIN HONORS.ALSO NOTE THAT SOME DEGREE CANDIDATES WEAR A MEDALLION.
THIS MEDALLION REPRESENTS COMPLETION OF USC BEAUFORT COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM CANDIDATES DRAPED IN THE TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC HOOD OR RECEIVING MASTER'S DEGREES.
PANU WILL NOW GREET THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT DEGREE RECIPIENTS.
ASHER OLIVETI, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE.
BRANDON BLOOM, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
RYAN BRALEY, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
XAVIER TREES, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
JOSEPH KIRK, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
EMILY S MCDERMOTT, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
AUSTIN MEAD, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
KINGSTON POLLIN'S, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
KISE SEABROOK, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
KYLE SPRUCE, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MEDICINE.
RE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RIGHT HERE.
THIS IS YOUR YES, SHAMAYA DE ASIA WEBB, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
DANIELLE COBB, A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES.
CAMERON PINKNEY, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES.
TYLER YATES, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES.
MARCUS RAMSEY, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE.
TAZA ROSE JOHNSON, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
TRAVIS PATTON, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE
[00:55:01]
AND TECHNOLOGY, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.ELIJAH ROBINSON, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
VICTOR VICTORIA GANCHO, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, C*M LADI.
KELLY HAYES, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION C*M LAUDE.
A ANNA VICTORIA HERNANDEZ, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
NATHAN DAVIS, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
EUGENE MCLAURIN, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
BRYN REARDEN, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
TATUM ROSE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH WITH SECONDARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS LICENSURE C*M LAUDE.
GABRIELLE STYLE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
NATHANIEL AIKENS, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART.
JORGE CHERNO, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART C*M LAUDE.
JENNIFER CHRISTENSEN, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART, CARRINGTON FOGEL, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART.
NAYA JONES, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART C*M LAUDE.
MOLLY BUTLER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
EMMA DAWSON, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
IMANI DUNHAM, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
KIRSTEN LYNCH, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
KAY REID, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
AUSTIN TAYLOR, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, C*M LAUDE.
NOAH ALEXANDER, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY.
WILLIAM KELLY, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY.
NATHAN LESSARD, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY.
KOLBY MINKLER, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY.
NICHOLAS VE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
ANGELINA BARS, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
TAJA CAMPBELL, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
REBECCA LOPER, VASSAR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
CAITLYN HAMILTON, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
ALEC HARVA, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
JESSICA IRELAND, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
ANAYA JONES, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
RILEY LIVINGSTON, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
[01:00:05]
COURTNEY PULASKI, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.MACY STONE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY, C*M LAUDE.
GRACE AND FIANCE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY.
KEVIN WHITE, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY.
TAMARA BARBER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
KEL AND CASTRO HERNANDEZ, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
HOPE CHUAN, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
BRENDAN COOPER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
KALIN ETHERIDGE, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
ANDY STEVE HERNANDEZ, CHIA, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
SABRINA JONES, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
DANIEL LOPEZ, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
MACKENZIE MORRIS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
LAMAR PETTY'S, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY.
ANDREW S STARMER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY, LAUDE.
BRIANNA ABNEY, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.
JARA BREWER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES, CU LADI.
CELESTE EPPS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES, C*M LAUDE.
JULIA GONZALEZ, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.
LETA GONZALEZ, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.
MARGARITA HEAD, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.
EMILY REAGAN, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.
CATHERINE LOVE, ROWLINGS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES, C*M LOUDY, THE ANNA MARIE SNIPES, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES, MAGNA C*M LOUDY.
ASHLEY TAYLOR, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES, MAGNA CU LAUDE.
THOMAS FRANK, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
MEGAN GOODING, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
TAMIA RENEE HAYWARD, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
ELIZABETH INFANTE, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
KEISHA KNIGHT, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
STEPHANIE RIVERA, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
KAYLEE SANDERS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
HARLEY WALKER, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
[01:05:14]
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2023.WILL THE GRADUATES PLEASE RISE? YOU ARE NOW GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT.
YOUR STATUS MUST BE MADE KNOWN TO THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY.
PLEASE JOIN TOGETHER AND MOVE YOUR TASSELS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR MOTHERBOARD TO THE LEFT SIDE.
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S GIVE OUR NEW GRADUATES ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
I AM TIM DANIELS, THE ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS.
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I OFFICIALLY INDUCT YOU INTO THE SAND SHARK SOCIETY, CB'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INSIDE YOUR DIPLOMA FOLDERS, YOU WILL FIND OUR SAND SHARK PLEDGE.
AS YOU TAKE YOUR PLACE AMONGST FELLOW USCB ALUMNUS, KNOW THAT YOU'RE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY FOREVER.
THE SAND SHARK SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT A SMALL GIFT FOR ALL OF OUR GRADUATES WITH A PERSONAL VIDEO CLIP OF YOU WALKING ACROSS THE STAGE THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THESE PERSONALIZED VIDEO CLIPS WILL BE EMAILED OUT TO EVERYBODY NEXT WEEK.
WELCOME TO THE SAND SHARK SOCIETY.
NOW PLEASE STAND AS REVEREND DANIEL KAEV LEADS US IN THE BENEDICTION, FOLLOWED BY THE FIRST VERSE OF THE CAROLINA ALMA MATER.
THE WORDS ARE FOUND ON THE LAST PAGE OF YOUR PROGRAM.
THE ALMA MATER WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE RECESSIONAL OF THE PLATFORM PARTY.
AND THEN GUESTS AND GRADUATES.
PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR SEATED AREA THROUGHOUT THE RECESSIONAL.
AND THEN PLEASE JOIN YOUR GRADUATES ON THE NORTH AND WEST LAWN OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING AFTER THE RECESSIONAL ENDS TO VISIT WITH FRIENDS AND WITH FAMILY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CELEBRATING WITH US.
AS YOU HEAD INTO THE FUTURE, MAY YOU STRIVE FORWARD TOWARDS EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY IN ALL THAT YOU DO.
ON THE DAYS THAT YOU FEEL DEFEATED, MAY YOU LIFT YOUR HEAD AND REMEMBER ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AS THE FANFARE CEASE.
MAY YOU SING OF JOY AS THE APPLAUSE QUIETS.
MAY YOU CELEBRATE AND LIFT UP THOSE AROUND YOU.
AND AS YOU GRADUATE TODAY, MAY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS GROW AND CAUSE GROWTH IN YOUR COMMUNITIES AND MAY YOUR LIVES BE A BLESSING TO ALL.
[01:13:48]
UH, GOOD MORNING.GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
UM, GUEST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR TENNIS PLAYERS.
WELCOME TO THE NEWLY RENOVATED BEAUFORT TENNIS COURT.
UM, THIS ROUGHLY $700,000 INVESTMENT WILL SERVE TENNIS LOVERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY.
THE RENOVATION STARTED LAST APRIL WITH DE, UH, DEMOLISHING OF THE EXISTING COATS AND INSTALLING ALL NEW COATS, NETS, FENCES, AND GATES ALONG WITH A DA COMPLIANCE SIDEWALKS.
THE EXISTING COURT LIGHTING WAS UPGRADED AND RAIN GARDENS AND RUNOFF CONTROLS WERE ADDED TO ADDRESS THE STORM WATER ISSUES.
THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THROUGH A VERY STORMY WET SUMMER.
THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY INVESTING
[01:15:01]
IN THE CITY OF BEAUFORT.SPENDING AROUND $2 MILLION IN PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES, THE CHARLES LYN BROWN CENTER CONTINUES TO BE UPGRADED AND THE COUNTY WILL ADD MORE PICKLE BALLS AND BASKETBALL COURT TO THE SOUTH SIDE PARK WITH MUCH MORE TO COME.
ALTHOUGH TENNIS IS THOUGHT TO BE A PREDOMINANTLY A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SPORT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN 2022, MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE PLAYING TENNIS.
AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A LONG, RICH HISTORY BEYOND ARTHUR ASH AND THE WILLIAMS SISTERS TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE FOUNDED BY BOOKER T WASHINGTON ADDED TENNIS COURTS AND THE TENNIS TEAM IN THE 1890S.
NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THE STORY OF, UH, LETHA GIBSON.
SHE WAS BORN IN A TOWN OF SILVER IN CLARATON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA AND MOVED TO THE IN 1930S TO HARLEM.
GIBSON WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO COMPLETE TO COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY IN TENNIS, WINNING FIVE GRAND SLAM SINGLE TO, UH, TITLES BETWEEN 1956 AND 1958.
IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO THE, UH, IN THE 1960S, SHE ALSO BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYER TO COMPETE ON THE WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR.
SO AS YOU CAN SEE, AMERICAN, BOTH BLACK AND WHITE HAVE BEEN HAVE ENJOYING TENNIS FOR A LONG TIME.
AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I LEARNED TENNIS OR HOW THEY HIT THE BALL, UH, ON THAT COURT RIGHT THERE BACK IN THE 19 EARLY 1960.
I NEVER KNEW THE GAME OF TENNIS UNTIL I GOT TO COLLEGE AND I FIRST LEARNED WHAT, UH, 15 LOVE WAS
UM, SO WE JUST PLAYED TENNIS, UH, ON THIS COURT RIGHT HERE.
I HOPE THAT THIS STORY AND THESE COURTS INSPIRE ALL THE YOUTH IN BEAUFORT COUNTY TO EXCEL IN THEIR INTERESTS AND TALENT.
AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE A TENNIS STAR WILL START THE JOURNEY RIGHT HERE.
YEAH, I KNOW THAT THE CITIZENS OF BEAUFORT, UH, THE BEAUFORT AREA WILL ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
I GREW UP RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
SO THIS IS THE HOOD, THIS IS HOME.
MY GRAND BABIES, UH, ALL FOUR OF THEM PLAYED, UH, NATIONAL TENNIS BECAUSE OF, UM, LARRY DUANE, WE JUST LOVE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
JUST A LITTLE SIDE NOTE BEFORE I PRAY.
UH, LARRY'S UH, I GREW UP ON THIS CORNER AND HE GREW UP RIGHT ON THE CORNER.
HIS OLDEST SISTER WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
AND WE COULD TALK FROM THE STEPS.
AND I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE, LITTLE, HE WAS, HE WASN'T EVEN WALKING.
HE WAS CRAWLING AND HE HAD A TENNIS BALL IN HIS HANDS.
AND I TOLD MY JULIE, HIS MOTHER AT THE TIME, I SAID, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER HE'S GONNA BE IN LIFE IS GONNA BE WITH THE BALL.
AND NOT ONLY DOES HE PLAY TENNIS WELL, HE PLAYED EXCELLENT BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT HE HAS EXCELLED IN TENNIS AND HAS GIVEN THAT GIFT BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY.
HE'S SUCH A JEWEL AND A TREASURE AND I THANK GOD FOR HIM, FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU, HALLELUJAH.
SWEET HOLY SPIRIT FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS PLACE.
FATHER GOD, WE ANOINT THESE GROUNDS AS HOLY AND HOLLOW GROUND FOR YOUR SERVICE, FOR YOUR SPIRIT TO DWELL GOD.
WE SAID NONE OF US BUT ALL OF YOU.
AND WE SAID, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST WHAT YOU HAVE STARTED HERE SHALL BE ABLE TO PROSPER.
FATHER GOD, AS WE WALK THESE COURTS AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE COME, FATHER GOD, THEY WILL FIND A PLACE OF SAFETY, A PLACE WHERE LOVE ABIDES IN THIS PLACE AND WHERE SOMEBODY CAN SPEAK A POSITIVE WORD INTO THEIR LIVES.
AND GOD, THOSE THAT HAVE HAD A HAND IN THIS MOMENT, GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THEM WITH A DOUBLE PORTION OF A PROPHET'S REWARD.
AND GOD, ORDER OUR STEPS IN YOUR WORD.
HELP US TO TRUE TRULY BE KEEPERS AND STEWARD OF THE GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US AND NOT TO TAKE THIS DAY FOR GRANTED.
LORD, THIS IS THE DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE AND WE'VE MADE A CHOICE TO COME TOGETHER TODAY AND TO BE AND BE GLADED.
[01:20:01]
AND AMEN.NOW ONE OF THE GULLAH TRADITIONS IS ONCE YOU GET THE WORDS YOU HAVE TO JOIN IN, THIS IS NOT A SOLO.
OH, Y'ALL GONNA DO THE PLEDGE.
THEY GONNA DO THE PLEDGE FIRST.
OH, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HOLY SPIRIT, THE KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA SAID WHISTLE ON FIRE.
HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA.
HOLY SPIRIT SAID WE SAW ON FIRE HOLY SPIRIT.
HOLY SPIRIT SAID, WE SO CAN PRAY.
RIGHT? HOLY SPIRIT, AYA, HOLY SPIRIT, AYA, HOLY SPIRIT, AYA.
RIGHT? HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA SAID, WE SAW LONG FIRE SAID WE SAW LONG FIRE SAID WE SO LO FIRE THE MANDATE IS THAT WE LOVE BETTER AND IF WE LOVE BETTER, WE'LL DO BETTER.
HANG TIGHT, HANG TIGHT, HANG TIGHT.
MY NAME IS MARSHALL WILLIAMS AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NEW BEAUFORT TENNIS CLUB.
THE CLUB HAS BEEN ORGANIZING OVER THE SUMMER TO BE READY TO BRING THESE BEAUTIFUL TENNIS COURTS TO LIFE WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF BEAUFORT.
AND FROM THE WIDER AREA NORTH OF THE BROAD, AND EVEN FROM SOUTH OF THE BROAD.
IF YOU CAN BRAVE THE TRAFFIC
I THINK ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BUFORT TENNIS CLUB STEERING COMMITTEE ARE HERE THIS MORNING.
AND I'LL JUST ASK THEM TO STEP FORWARD OR WAVE SO WE CAN SEE EVERYONE.
JANICE JOHNSON, MARY ENRIGHT, CHRIS PETERSON, ROB HILTON, JAN HARAN, VICKI HANOWSKI, SALLY HENDRICKS, SUE RAINEY.
IT'S BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH YOU ALL.
IF YOU WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB, PLEASE SPEAK TO ANY OF US AND WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU VOLUNTEER ALONG WITH US.
WE'LL HAVE INFORMATION AND AN EMAIL SIGNUP SHEET FOR YOU AFTER THE CEREMONIES.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE ON OUR LIST ALREADY.
IT'S ALSO A REAL PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE TO INTRODUCE AND RECOGNIZE LARRY SHEPHERD.
HE REALLY DOESN'T NEED AN INTRODUCTION.
LARRY HAS BEEN LEADING FREE PUBLIC CLINICS FOR CHILDREN AT THESE COURTS AND HE'S TAUGHT LEGIONS OF YOUNG AND OLDER TENNIS PLAYERS THROUGH THE YEARS.
HE'S HERE WITH HIS ASSISTANT DONNA WINLAND.
GREW UP COMING HERE TO PLAY TENNIS.
HE WAS BORN AND RAISED RIGHT IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND CHARLES LIND BROWN WAS A MENTOR TO LARRY AS HE WAS TO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING UP HERE.
LARRY AND HIS CREW WORK HARD TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION.
HIS PRECLASS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGE TWO TO 18 WILL START ON SATURDAY AT NOON AND HIS CLINICS AND LESSONS BEGIN TOMORROW.
LARRY, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH ALL OF US SOON, AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE HERE.
BUT PLEASE JUST TO HAVE A WORD FOR US.
OH, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TUPACS AND RECREATION FOR GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO GIVE OUR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
UH, THANK YOU TO MY COUSIN, UH, PERLEY SUE, SAYING THOSE KIND OF THINGS ABOUT ME.
UH, THANK YOU TO, UH, MY ASSISTANT, MS. WINLAND, AND TO ALSO MS. JANICE JOHNSON, JAN AND ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELPED ME THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
UH, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
[01:25:01]
I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT.JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU GUYS.
AND ALSO I KNOW MR. LYNN BROWN'S LOOKING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT, UH, FOR YOU ALL, FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY.
THIS LAND WAS GIVEN MANY YEARS AGO TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE RECREATION OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE.
OUR GOAL AND PURPOSE IS TO SEE THESE COURTS FILL UP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS PLAYING TENNIS AT ALL LEVELS.
AND OUR CLUB WILL BE MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS HELPING TO ORGANIZE ROUND ROBINS SPECIAL EVENTS, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S MIXED DOUBLES, TENNIS UNDER THE STARS, U-S-T-A-C-C-T-A AND OTHER TOURNAMENTS.
WE CAN USE EVERYONE'S HELP AND IDEAS.
THE USTA AND COASTAL CAROLINA TENNIS ASSOCIATION HAVE BOTH SENT THEIR BEST WISHES AS WE OPEN UP.
AND I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE PATTY ADA, WHO IS THE CCTA LEAGUE COORDINATOR WHO IS JOINING US TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OF THANKS TO SHANNON LOPER FROM BEAUFORT COUNTY PARKS AND REC FOR GETTING US HERE TODAY TO THEIR MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, JACK FRIPP, WHO MADE THE PARK BEAUTIFUL AND USER FRIENDLY.
AND THEIR STAFF, JEREMY AND HEATHER ARE ALSO HERE.
THANKS, MR. GLOVER AND PURLEY SUE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BLESS YOU FOR LAUNCHING THE NEW TENNIS COURTS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WELL, IN CLOSING, EVERYBODY'S KIND OF BEEN THANKED, BUT I'D STILL LIKE TO THANK A FEW MORE.
UM, THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT HERE TODAY.
WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN UP THE COURTS.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND I THINK EVERYBODY CAN AGREE WITH THAT.
UM, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED AT PARKS AND REC TO HAVE, UM, LARRY SHEPHERD IS, UM, PART OF OUR STAFF NOW, UM, TO BE WORKING WITH US, BUT ALSO TO BE WORKING AND DOING CLINICS OUT HERE.
UM, WE FEEL LIKE THAT IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BY HAVING HIM ON BOARD TO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY MONITOR THE COURTS, BUT TO BE ABLE TO OFFER MORE PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS, FREE PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS, AND TO BE ABLE TO OFFER LESSONS WITH THE KIDS.
UM, WE STILL HAVE A FEW THINGS TO FINISH UP, SO IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS, BUT WE'VE COME A LONG WAY WITH IT.
UM, AS WE, UM, PROGRESS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, YOU'LL SEE SOME ADDITIONAL LIGHTING, UM, THAT'LL BE DONE.
UM, SOME WATER FOUNTAIN CHANGE OUTS, UM, MESSAGE BOARDS ADDED, AND, UM, JUST ODDS AND ENDS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
WE'LL HAVE, UM, MORE SIGNS, WE'LL HAVE THE COURTS NUMBERED.
UM, BUT WE WANTED TO GET EVERYBODY OUT HERE AND, AND START PLAYING TENNIS WITHOUT ANY MORE HOLD UP.
UM, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, UM, FOR OVERSEEING THE PROJECT.
UM, I REALLY THANK ERIC LARSSON FOR COMING OUT HERE ON THURSDAY WHEN I WAS IN A HUGE PANIC OF HOW, HOW ARE WE GONNA GET THIS RIGHT AND HAVE HIM CALL EVERYBODY THAT HE CALLED OUT TO, UM, GET THE, UM, EVERYTHING COMPLETE AND LOOKING GOOD.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR BRINGING ALL THEIR CREWS OUT.
MY MAINTENANCE CREW WHO'S BEEN OUT HERE SINCE THURSDAY, UM, CHUCK, UM, ATKINSON, WHO SUPPORTS ME IN MY ROLE AS THE PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR, AND ALSO WHAT I CALL OUR DYNAMIC DUO, ERIC AND WHITNEY, FOR BRINGING, UM, THE OLD PARKS AND REC BACK TO LIFE AND REALLY SUPPORTING US, UM, IN THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.
SO, UM, IF EVERYBODY IS READY, WE'RE GONNA CUT THE RIBBON AND, UM, EVERYBODY CAN SERVE UP, START SOME MATCHES AND HIT THE BALLS.