UNIVERSITY

COmmencement 2014
viu.edu
“Take Notice, Help
People, and Be Involved!”
15 years ago Dr. Sarac, VIU President, founded
the university as a non-profit institution,
putting education before profit. As a result,
since its founding, VIU has worked towards
preparing great leaders. VIU is very proud of
its students, who utilize their academic skills
and knowledge that they gain here at VIU.
Lessons from Graduation 2014
By Emily Leighty
Colorful flags adorn the stage and
the cheerfully chattering audience falls
silent as Ms. Janet Adere, VIU’s Human
Resources Director, takes the stage to announce
the start of Virginia International
University’s 9th Annual Commencement
Ceremony. As Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp
& Circumstance” begins to play, graduates
march into the auditorium preceded
by their school deans and faculty. As they
walk, graduates wear the happy smiles of
those who have, after a long journey, accomplished
something great. Following
the ceremony’s opening formalities – including
the singing of America’s National
Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance –
Ms. Adere welcomes guests and gives a
brief history of the university. Then Dr. Isa
Sarac, VIU’s president, takes the stage to
offer his words of congratulations to the
graduates.
In his address, Dr. Sarac recalls students’
first days at VIU and compares the
faces he saw at New Student Orientation to
the faces he sees now. “Academically, you
have excelled,” he congratulates the graduates.
“Personally, you have made hundreds
of new connections and acquired friends
and colleagues from all over the world.
Professionally, you are now prepared to
excel in your careers.” In closing, the president
says, “At VIU, we care about each other.
And this care must not stop when you
get a diploma in your hand. Support your
community, stay in touch with your fellow
classmates and friends, and keep your university,
VIU, with you all the time.”
Following Dr. Sarac, the valedictorian
of the class of 2013-2014 takes the podium
to address the graduates. Looking bright
and with excitement in her voice, Ms.
Bolor-Erdene Yura tells her colleagues,
“You look great in your caps and gowns!”
She then reminds the graduates that they
came to VIU to make themselves better;
she reminds them of the challenges they
faced and overcame and encourages them
to face the next challenges after graduation.
As she wraps up her address, Ms.
Yura says, “Let’s be true to the hopes and
dreams that our families have for us.”
The keynote speaker of the night is
Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools
and esteemed female leader in education.
With energy – perceivable, even from a
great distance – and a warm, radiant smile,
Dr. Wheelan leans into the podium and
says, “Class of 2014, what’s up?!” Next, she
congratulates the graduates on earning a
degree, something she says is achieved by
only two percent of the world’s population.
“The opportunities that will now be
available to you are more numerous than
ever before,” she tells graduates. “However,
the challenges are also equally as numerous.”
Through the remainder of her address,
Dr. Wheelan urges the group to refine
their “non-technical skills of dealing
with people” – skills she says are essential
to success. She warns them of the pitfalls
of pride, indifference, impoliteness, and
34 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
35