91黑料专区

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. 鈥� The graduating class of 2024 was honored Sunday during a commencement ceremony on the campus of 91黑料专区 University.

The greenery of the Eckley Quadrangle was accented by 340 robed Titans who accepted diplomas in front of State Farm Hall on the Glenn 鈥�22 and Rozanne Parker Kemp 鈥�27 Commencement Plaza before a crowd of more than 3,400 supporters.

• See the Commencement program booklet

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Speakers at the 174th commencement ceremony spoke on themes of kindness and success, as well as perseverance, given that the class of 2024 graduated from high school and began college in 2020 amid disruptions from the global pandemic.

Noting that it was her last commencement ceremony after serving 20 years in college leadership, President S. Georgia Nugent spoke of the value of higher education to individuals and to society. 

鈥淕raduates, as you walk across the stage, you will be receiving not only a diploma, but the opportunity for a richer, fuller life than if you had not earned the degree,鈥� said Nugent.

She pointed to data that shows that college graduates on average live longer and healthier lives. 

鈥淐ollege grads vote more, volunteer more and are more likely to have leadership roles, whether in their profession, community or other pursuits. Members of the class of 2024, we have seen that potential in you as so many of you have taken initiatives and taken on leadership roles here on campus,鈥� said Nugent.

Board of Trustees Chair Timothy Szerlong '74 recognized that graduates of Illinois Wesleyan tend to share three similar traits 鈥�  first, a profound appreciation for the influence of their liberal arts education; second, lasting memories of the learning experience and support provided by faculty or staff; and third, cherished, lifelong friendships that began on campus.

鈥淭ake the initiative to explore solutions with an enthusiasm and unwavering conviction. Demonstrate a willingness to step forward and ask hard questions, with a visible commitment to better outcomes,鈥� said Szerlong. 鈥淭his approach, supported by what you鈥檝e learned here, will help you succeed, distinguish yourself and lead.鈥�

President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Derrick Tillman-Kelly '09 said all IWU students are equipped with the University motto which translates to knowledge and wisdom, and they embody the 鈥渄o well, do good鈥� advice of past IWU President Minor Myers jr.

鈥淚 invite you to put the knowledge you鈥檝e acquired in the classroom and through your extracurriculars with the wisdom you鈥檝e gained from living into practice to ensure that you continue to do well for yourself and your family and do good for society and our beloved alma mater. You鈥檙e exactly the new generation of Titans we need,鈥� said Kelly.

He then welcomed the class of 2024 as the newest members of the Alumni Association.

Bryson Connor '24 spoke on behalf of the graduating class, encouraging his peers to embrace fear and change, and to be bold while entering this new chapter.

鈥淯tilize the experiences this school gave you to be bold as you grow. Create bold relationships with people who help you learn. Be bold as you continue your activism and political involvement,鈥� he said.

鈥淲hen you leave this campus, be bold when upholding the 91黑料专区 message of doing well and doing good. Be bold as you use the education you obtained here to break down barriers that distance people. Finally, be bold in celebrating your achievements today, you have earned it.鈥�

Representing members of the faculty, Class of 2024 Professor of the Year and Assistant Professor of Nursing Monica Hall '90 reminded graduates of the importance and necessity of being kind and helping others.

鈥淲hen we help others succeed, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves. By lifting others up, we not only improve their lives, but we also create a more compassionate and supportive society. When we support and empower those around us, we build stronger communities and a more inclusive world,鈥� said Hall. 

Before addressing the Class of 2024 with a speech titled, 鈥淚t鈥檚 Okay to Fail,鈥� commencement speaker T.J. Newman '06 was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Newman spoke about her untraditional path beyond graduation.

After studying musical theatre at IWU, Newman moved to New York City with hopes of pursuing an acting career, which didn鈥檛 form as she had envisioned. After returning home to Arizona and beginning a job at an indie bookstore, Newman began to write.

She later worked as a flight attendant and was inspired at 30,000 feet to write her first thriller novel, 鈥淔alling,鈥� which debuted at number two on the New York Times bestseller list in 2021. Her second novel, 鈥淒rowning,鈥� was released in 2023 and also became an instant New York Times bestseller. Each will soon be major motion picture films after being sold in seven-figure deals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 OK to fail. It鈥檚 my failure as a Broadway actress that led to my success as a bestselling author,鈥� she said. 

Newman encouraged her fellow Titans to determine their personal definition of success 鈥渂efore someone else defines it for you.鈥� 

鈥淥nce you do 鈥� hold on loosely. If you cling to it too tightly, you might miss what鈥檚 actually meant for you,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y dreams might have changed, but not once did I stop honoring my authentic self. That is my definition of success.鈥�