|
Address to the Class of 2006
by Brian Danforth
Good morning family, friends, and to the BEST LOOKIN' CLASS of all time, the class of 2006!!! When I was asked to speak at graduation, I asked myself, I said, "SELF!" Myself said, "Hmmm?" I said, "How can I summarize such a great career at Mars Hill College into a four-minute speech?" So I decided that I would take an hour to speak instead of four minutes. Dean Goforth, I hope you don't mind.
No, but seriously, I can only think of one word to describe my time here at Mars Hill, and that is BLESSED. I have been blessed to be given the opportunity to obtain a degree of Higher education from this small Baptist College in the rugged Hills of Western North Carolina. I've been blessed to cross paths with GREAT people. Those people include Marty Gilbert, my favorite upper level computer science professor. I guess he has to be my favorite because there is not another upper level Computer Science teacher. Next there's Stan Dotson, Dean of LifeWorks, who provided me with the opportunity to help others in need by choosing me as a Bonner Scholar. As a Bonner I have completed over 1,000 hours of community service over a three and a half-year time period.
Last, but certainly not least, our three Sudanese students with whom I have become great friends: David Thon, Abraham Maker, and Joseph Deng have been a great blessing and inspiration to me, because even in a life full of obstacles they have still overcome and put smiles on their faces. One day I will never forget is down in Mississippi on a mission trip with Joseph Deng. He taught me how to say one of my favorite quotes in the Dinka language, "ITCHA Loi Loy," which simply means GET'R DONE in the English translation.
Finally, I've been blessed with an awesome experience here at Mars Hill College, an experience that has changed my life and turned me 360 degrees in the right direction. Now as we, the class of 2006 accept this degree and apply it to our future endeavors, let us not forget just how blessed we truly are! As I looked up "blessed" in the dictionary, one definition jumped out and slapped me in the face. It said, "A blessing is something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being or prosperity."
Class of 2006, we have met friends that will last a lifetime, relationships that will bring happiness to our lives for years to come. We feel a sense of well-being now because we have worked hard to get to this point, and we feel a sense of accomplishment in today. Prosperity is not only defined by a nice bank account and financial stability; We are now prosperous in our minds because of the education we have received in our various fields.
I would say to you now, Class of '06, although today is a GREAT and marvelous day, and we are blessed to be sitting where we are, it is not over! The blessings of life will continue to shower down on each of us sitting in this stadium today. And although life's journey can be tough at times, the good will always outweigh the bad! I pray that God continues to bless each and every one of you and that your lives be an example of what true blessings are made of. Thank you!
HOME
|
