graduation

“There’ll Be Days Like This Celebrate!

As Van Morrison remembered his mother’s wisdom, so I have found, sometimes “there’ll be days like this.” You will graduate. Life is pleasant; it is worth enjoying. This morning, being a Monday, I work from 11:00 to 7:00 so the parking places are fewer and farther away. The bus runs less frequently and is not the direct express. But today, a space was open two slots from the bus stop. What is more, the weather is delightful, and the bus appeared immediately. I’d be spoiled if all days were like this.

Just so Van Morrison suggested in his song. The first verse celebrates days when everything falls into place. That’s cause for celebration. The second verse reminds of the days when you don’t need to worry, and there is no betrayal by a supposedly close friend. The third verse says on some days all the puzzle pieces start to look like they fit. Fourth, on some good days you don’t get hassled by the powers that be, and you can live your life as you please. And finally there will be days when nobody steps on your dream and everybody gets what you say and sing. This upcoming graduation is one of these good days—celebrate!

As you know well, there are other days too. Van Morrison’s song drew upon the earlier Shirelle’s song that wonders if love and life has passed me by. “Mama said there’d be days like this.” We’re on the outside of the wedding chapel wishing to be in. You’ve endured some of those tough days. You lasted through the program. Remember, when you face similar struggles in the future, wise Mama said, “There’d Be Days Like this.” Take heart.

Today, celebrate this good graduation day when it is falling into place, the puzzle is beginning to be solved, and the dream is realized and your voice heard. Wise Mama said, “There’ll Be Days Like This.” It seems fitting that graduation and Mother’s Day falls so closely together. Enjoy and thank her for your good life, for your graduations along the way and still to come, of which she is a part.

Go then with our blessing and good wishes. We celebrate with you one of these good days when life goes happily.

Congratulations and Graduation

Congratulations!

You made it to one degree or another. You made it, and now it’s time to move on. Go with our blessing. Live well, be good, work hard, take care.

To those of you graduating this semester, congratulations on this important achievement. To those who have courses yet to come and hurdles yet to clear, congratulations on your progress so far. Take a break, and celebrate. Celebrate with your classmates. Celebrate with your partners and your families. Those communities help make us who we are, and one way or another the ones standing alongside contributed to our success. Some of them cheered you on and gave you needed motivation. Some to them challenged you and made you prove that you could be better. Some of them did the mundane tasks so you could concentrate on your studies. Remember that lots of people celebrate with you: family and friends and mentors and colleagues.

Honor the Graduation Rituals

And remember too that milestones such as these are often marked by rituals. New nurses are pinned and welcomed into the professional community of nursing. Those of you who have demonstrated skilled expertise earn important certificates. At graduation you will receive official degrees, and new PhDs will be hooded. Rituals are important markers of initiation and accomplishment. Rituals signal that we have taken on new identities and roles in society. Rituals are communal acts that say something about what our lives mean. Now, it’s true that rituals can be laborious and take work on our part, and who wants to jump through another hoop at this stage in the game? Go ahead and honor the ritual. Time-honored traditions have their place. Even if you aren’t particularly enamored by the ritual, I’ll bet an especially tender parent or a loving spouse will care. They will love to see and applaud the actual event. These professional rituals should be honored. Don’t neglect them, and do claim your rightful place among the accomplished.

So once again, congratulations. Go with our best wishes. As you go follow all that good motherly advice: brush your teeth, continue to study hard, be a good person, live well, work hard, take care of yourselves, wash your hands and behind your ears.
Bye for now.

Your Next Adventure

Oh the places you’ll go,
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So get on your way!
Dr. Seuss

Congratulations to the 2016 graduates of the five colleges at UAMS. We, the faculty and staff of the Student Success Center, are so proud of your hard work and success. We expect you will do great things for your profession and make a positive impact on health care for many years to come.

Life is a series of adventures that are all part of the Great Adventure. Graduation signals the end of one adventure and the beginning of a new one. So whether your next adventure takes place in Arkansas or in someplace far away, make the most of every opportunity you are offered, and make a difference in the lives of the people you encounter. As UAMS graduates, you have been educated and trained to improve the health, health care, and well-being of Arkansans and of others in the region, nation, and the world. We can’t wait to see what you will do.

So, in the words of Dr. Seuss, “Today is your day!” We join you in celebrating all you have accomplished here at UAMS. We are confident you have what you need to be successful as you climb your professional mountain, so go ahead and “Get on your way!” We wish you all the best on your next adventure!