Commencement

From latest Trojan Times

November 29, 2006

Knowlton’s Notes

Commencement Reflections

One of the most important days in the life of any university is the day set aside for commencement. It is a day filled with mixed emotions. Most of us are proud and excited about our student’s accomplishments but we also experience the sadness of having to say goodbye to students who have become friends and associates. Dakota State is one of those places where students do get to know their teachers, their advisors and yes, even in many cases their president.

For DSU, our winter commencement is scheduled for Sunday, December 10 at 2 PM in the Fieldhouse. It is a ceremony filled with tradition (after all we have been doing this for over 120+ years), academic robes, the DSU Mace, singing of the Alma Mater (the traditional hymn that is a part of most major university ceremonies) the awarding of diplomas and the “hooding” of students getting graduate degrees. Throw into all that tradition a few family members and friends, photo ops, hugs and handshakes and you have the makings of a very special day.

For me it is extra special this year because it marks the culmination of our celebration of the 125th Anniversary of DSU. It has been a year filled with birthday parties, commemorative coca cola cans, visits from General Beadle, birthday cake contests, special lapel pins, a new history book and campus signs. I have felt very honored to be the president during this celebration year. This next year we will be moving on and finding ways to challenge ourselves to take the “Next Step” to become an even greater university with new opportunities to promote and enhance student learning. We are leaving behind some history and opening some exciting new doors.

So let me take this space to thank everyone who has been a part of our 125th celebrations. If you didn’t know it was happening – yeah get your head out of the sand! It was a great year!

Back to Commencement!

Congratulations to all the graduates who will be participating in the ceremony. I hope each of you will take it all in – relax – take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. Less than one in four individuals in our society complete a college degree – it is an accomplishment. You are graduating from a university whose star is clearly rising and a university gaining regional and national recognition for its excellence. Are we perfect? Not in a long shot! But I know one thing for sure. We are dedicated everyday to getting better and trying harder to understand how to help students meet their very best potential.

If you are graduating, please don’t lose contact. Stay in touch so you can help us improve. Let us know what you think we should be doing to make DSU an even greater place to go for a college level education. Visit our website regularly; e-mail me to let me know your thoughts about DSU or comment on my occasional blogs. Your experiences and your career opportunities after you leave here can help to inform us as we reshape and reinvent ourselves. I hope you will feel the pride in DSU that will make you want to continue your relationship with us.

This has been a little rambling, but that is basically the way I feel when I look out over that group of graduates at commencement – mixed emotions, a flood of memories and the excitement of knowing what potential we are about to launch on the world. For those of you not graduating in a few days – it is just around the corner – cherish and take advantage of every opportunity! See you – in 5 months, two years, three years or whenever!