Fellow Graduates:

             Doesn't it feel good to be called a graduate?! We represent the last Spring Class of Morehead State University for the 20^th century and I do believe they saved the best for last. As a new millennium approaches, we have been given an opportunity; an opportunity to use our knowledge, talents, and abilities for purposes not decided by others, but by our own goals and desires. Our success in life will be determined by how effective we are in utilizing our knowledge and abilities. Do you know where you are going?

        To know where you are going, you must understand from where you came. Eastern Kentucky has traditionally been stereotyped as a poverty-stricken and undereducated region. I am here today to tell you that this stereotype is wrong. Since the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990, Kentucky, all of Kentucky, has become the model of education success for surrounding states. But it doesn't stop there. Many graduates of Kentucky's colleges and universities have gone on to do amazing things. Be proud of your heritage, for your heritage is proud of you.

        From bumper sticker to billboard, you see the motto across Kentucky that "Education Pays." And education does pay. It has paid me. However, I am now in debt. But it is not financial debt that I am talking about. What I owe I will never be able to repay. I owe my parents and sister for 21 years of support and unconditional love. I owe my wife for 7 years of dedication, love and friendship. I owe the professors of the Industrial Education and Technology Department, who would break their necks to see that a student has learned. I owe my classmates, who challenged me as we learned and matured together. I owe Morehead State University for giving an Eastern Kentucky boy the chance to gain a top-notch education. I owe my country for giving me the freedom to receive this education. And finally, but most importantly, I owe God for giving me life and the ability to comprehend it.

        There is no question that we are a diverse group, but we all have something in common. We have chosen not to stop with a minimal knowledge but rather to go above and beyond and continue our education. However, this is just the beginning. Life itself is a learning experience, and we learn everyday. Today, we are the stars, but what about tomorrow? Will you continue to ember and glow, being a benevolent contributor to an ever-improving society? Or will you fizzle and fade, wasting what was has been given to you? I encourage you to shine.

        If I can get only one message across to you today, it would be this: don’t ever suppress your excitement for life. Use your God-given abilities and don't be satisfied with mediocre. Live in love and not in hatred. Reach for the stars, and when you get there, reach beyond.

        Thank you Morehead State University for the gift of education and good luck to you all, my fellow graduates.