From the Desk Of Dr. Autumn A. Graves

From the Desk Of Dr. Autumn A. Graves

The following is an excerpt from the Commencement address to the Class of 2023 on June 2, 2023

Seniors, take the time to explore ideas, meet people, and try new things yourself. You are a unique structure of molecules that experience a situation differently from anyone else. Even someone from your own friend group or family. Give yourself a chance to be your own person.

For my comments today, I plugged in a few prompts to ChatGPT to see what it would produce. I hoped that the outcomes would be unique and inspirational.

Honestly, I wasn’t inspired. The large language model spit out a generic and predictable response full of cliches — all far from unique:

• Congratulate the students for making it to this moment.

• Encourage students to remember they are resilient.

• Make the most out of college.

• Pursue a passion or find your purpose in life.

• Embrace diversity and seek people with different perspectives to be in your friend group.

• Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health.

• Be a lifelong learner.

• And, celebrate your achievements - which really takes us back to the first point - congratulations

As I said, all the chatbot did was regurgitate uninspired words. Quite literally, they are not new words or ideas. After all, that’s how ChatGPT works. It just curates words and ideas that have already been shared. Nothing worthy of this original class. After last week’s Class Night, I saw my inspiration in front of me. I watched the reactions of the seniors when different class members won an award. And I would like to call out some of the audience members who inspired me and serve as role models for all of us here.

Being resilient is not easy, especially when your dreams for senior year are not realized. You can continue to feel sorry for yourself and wallow in disappointment, or you can feel your feelings and then decide to use your newfound time as an asset and make your year one of making new friends and creating unexpected memories as Jackson Coppock did this year as a new senior.

If you need a role model for someone who has made the most out of high school by trying new things and challenging herself to push beyond her comfort zone, all you have to do is remember Sophie Waller’s rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” at the Senior Variety Show.

Take James Carter’s strong recommendation to say “yes” to new experiences, people, and places to become the best version of yourself and create an emotionally and mentally healthy life.

Michael Procino’s study of Samba music exemplifies a person who embraces curiosity by learning about diverse cultures, history, geography, and art.

Even with a face covering, I could see Kate Rieger smiling with her eyes and then later with her full face. It’s that warmth that turns an eclectic group of diverse individuals into her friend group.

And, I could not find another person who genuinely celebrates and congratulates her friends and classmates with sheer joy and exuberance like Maddie Rice.

I didn’t need ChatGPT to inspire my words of wisdom. Instead, I just needed to look into the eyes and hearts of this senior class for examples of the kind of young adults the world needs. Each and every college campus where all 94 of you will matriculate will be blessed and you will make those campuses more lovely and joyful communities.

May God bless you and keep you, Amen.