Kozminski Insider 24 nov 2014
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Graduation Speech – 2014

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A few days ago I had the opportunity to speak at the graduation ceremony here at KU. I wanted to share my speech with everyone . :)

I was so nervous to give this speech and got a little emotional… but all in all I’m was extremely satisfied with it. What an amazing day!

Here is the link to the video:

Hello fellow graduates,

Good Afternoon – staff and faculty members,

Today we graduate. For some of us – myself included – this has been a lengthy road but an exciting one. On our graduation day emotions are running high. We are excited about the chapter we have closed and in front of us is a road that is broad and can be all encompassing.

Standing in front of you today – in my cap and gown I am reminded of entering this university a few years ago… This University has changed my life. I – like many of you – have made friends here that I know I will keep forever. I have learnt so much from our many professors but I have equally learnt from my colleagues. I was educated every day from the many cultures that surrounded me. I was taught cultural differences and Polish norms. And I hope that in the same way I contributed to your education as you have contributed to mine. Thank you!

This brings me to my first point. I think all of us are extremely thank ful today. Am I right?

We are Thankful  to our professors and lecturers. Who really did and do take the extra effort in teaching us. To my accounting professors especially… your patience with me is extra ordinary. I can’t believe I can actually tell people what a balance sheet is and how to use it! We all had subjects and courses that were incredibley difficult for us but somehow we passed with their help or with the help of our fellow students.

We are thankful to the administrative staff who always took the extra time to ensure that our needs were met. The many emails all of us send to you are never un answered. I know and We the students know that we are/were lucky to have you standing in our corner keeping us informed.

We are thank ful to our families. For their support both emotional and for some of us financial. Again without you I don’t think any of us would be sitting here today in our fancy cap and gowns.

I think all of these people deserve a round of applause from us graduates… don’t you agree? J

While writing this I watched and read many graduation speeches. And to me they all had one thread in common – do what you love. Enjoy your life. Live in the moment.

Carpe Diem! Or what the young kids call it now – YOLO?

This to each of us means something different. For some of us it’s travelling to the ends of the earth and seeing everything that we can. For others its impacting the world with their business ideas. For others its starting a family. Each of us is unique. Kozminski University has taught me one thing for certain – all of our goals are attainable! I hope you feel the same.

I’m now going to use a quote from my favourite book as a child. Written by a Doctor… though not officially. J This book is part of my “Americanized” culture and I would love to share it with you:

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go… So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.

“You’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So… get on your way!”

Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

On a final note – I wanted to state that today we are not just getting a fancy diploma from the best University in Poland. This diploma is so much more to us. It’s our effort. It’s a culmination of the last 3 or 5 years of our lives. Be proud of your success today graduates. I know I am proud of mine.

Dear graduates, – I’d like to end of by saying –  according to the university tradition, the position of your tassel on the graduation cap indicates that you are graduates. After having received your diploma, you might want to move the tassel from the right to the left.

From now on, please consider yourself as Kozminski University graduates!

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