C OMMENCEMENT 2023

Lakeland celebrates 56th annual commencement with Romona Robinson as keynote speaker

Saturday, May 13, marked the 56th annual commencement at Lakeland Community College, which returned to its in-person ceremony on campus in the impressive outdoor pavilion for the second year since 2019. Eight-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Romona Robinson served as this year’s keynote speaker.

In a stirring and inspiring address, Ms. Robinson drew on her 30 years of public speaking experience and background as one of the most well-respected and admired journalists in Northeast Ohio to compel Lakeland’s graduating class to always believe in themselves and to never let the opinions of others lead them to doubt their own capacity for success. “Believe that you can succeed. Believe in that degree that you will get today. Believe in all that knowledge that your professors here have instilled in you. Believe that you are enough in this world," she said.

As Ms. Robinson concluded her remarks, she shared a particularly meaningful anecdote. She had been scheduled earlier that week for a planned medical procedure about which she felt very anxious. As the operating room staff at a prestigious Cleveland-area hospital prepared her for surgery, she was reassured by the kind, comforting care of the “wonderful” nursing staff.

One nurse engaged Ms. Robinson in conversation to help calm her nerves, asking her, “Romona, what are you doing now, since you left television?”

Ms. Robinson replied that she is an author and a public speaker. “As a matter of fact,” she said, “on Saturday I’m the commencement speaker at Lakeland Community College.”

“Oh my!” the nurse exclaimed, “I graduated from Lakeland in the nursing program many years ago!”

Ms. Robinson then turned from the podium to Lakeland’s president, Dr. Morris Beverage Jr., and said, “I’m telling you, Dr. Beverage, if you’re putting them out like that, there’s a lot to be said for Lakeland!”