Feature speaker at SALCC's graduation emphasises value of inter-realtionships
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Feature speaker at SALCC's graduation emphasises value of inter-realtionships |
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Contact: Michael Gaspard
Monday 5 December 2011 – Graduates of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, who participated in the twenty-fifth graduation exercise, were encouraged to continue pursuing higher education upon completion of their studies at the island's leading tertiary institution.
Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton, Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), in the USA, delivered a stirring and thought-provoking feature address imploring the students to seize every opportunity available to advance themselves, their families and their nation.
The illustrious academic, who showered much praise on the 28 Saint Lucian students now studying at the Illinois Institute of Technology, noted the value of fundamental inter-relationships
"As you bask in the sunlight of accomplishment, you must never forget that we are caught in an inseparable network of mutuality, clothed in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one, directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be, until I am what I ought to be. This is the inter-related structure of reality. Mankind is dependent on each other. And whatever you accomplish through your life, must be impactful and make life better for someone else."
During her speech, the students were reminded that the graduation exercise marked a beginning of new realities and experiences in their lives.
"When you awaken in the morning, the major issues facing Saint Lucia and the world would not have changed because you have graduated. What will change is having a renewed perspective of your nation and the world aligned with your graduation achievements. Your goals must be purposeful as to what you will do in the world for a life without purpose will lead to idle pursuits. You must have a purpose and goals that you diligently work to achieve daily. This graduation is a new beginning and I challenge you to press on, keep going, for stopping is not an option."
Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, Member of Parliament for Castries South, Dr. Hon. Robert Lewis, Board members, staff, parents, and well wishers, attended the ceremony at the college's grounds on Sunday December 05, 2011. |
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