More than 200 students from the class of 2021 graduated Saturday from Brescia University. Along with those who earned degrees this year, graduates from the Class of 2020 were invited to attend the ceremony since their commencement took place virtually.
Commencement speaker Candance Castlen Brake, President and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said Saturday was a “day of dichotomies” for the graduates.
“You are at the finish line — but you are also at the starting gate,” Brake said. “There is a sense of relief to be finished and maybe a little bit of anxiety about what is ahead.”
Twenty-eight years ago to the day, Brake graduated from Brescia University. Being back to deliver the commencement speech was special to her, she said.
Along with being a BU alum, Brake is a mom to a 2020 college graduate and said she saw firsthand how hard it was for those seniors to miss out on their second semester.
“To the class of 2020, to not celebrate your college graduation when you were supposed to, to enter the workforce in the middle of a global pandemic and a global economic shutdown — many of you had your lives completely put on hold for more than a year,” Brake said.
She added, “To the 2021 class, I watched you as you returned to campus last fall with shutdowns, health procedures in place, hybrid classes, mask mandates and limited ways to connect. But you did it with grace. I never heard a young person I know complain. Not once. You all were role models for all of us.”
Brake said knowing the current generation was coming into adulthood had gotten her through some tough days when the generations in charge have disappointed her to her core.
“You are kind. You are good citizens. You believe in volunteering. You stand against racism in hate. You work hard and you play hard. You care for the Earth,” she said. “We are counting on you. Remember who you are.”
To the current graduates, Brake said she hoped their careers would have them stay in Owensboro.
“We need you, we need Brescia,” she said. “Imagine how much better we would be if we had a pipeline for each of you who wanted to make Owensboro home.”
Fr. Larry Hostetter, President of Brescia University, commended the faculty, staff and students for their commitment to education during the pandemic.
“You made today possible, all of you, all of us together,” he said. “The importance of community, despite our isolation at times, has never been more highlighted in my life. You should be congratulated for that part of this.”
