The Tradition Continues: Celebrating the Graduates From the Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Program

Our lives are often filled with the mundane, the routine, and indeed sometimes the sadness that mark the lives of all humans. On the other hand, there are other days that are moments of happiness, achievement, and fulfillment. These latter types of days more than make up for the former types.

Last Saturday, May 22, 2010, was a day that will be long remembered as a moment of success by the May 2010 graduates of the Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Program. Many years from now when these individuals take stock of their lives, I am confident that last Saturday's event will be remembered as one of the proudest moments in their lives.

But rather than take it from me, please visit the website (click here) that captured the day and recognized our graduates. In particular, pay close to attention to the first six minutes of the video -- you will see many familiar faces.

As I watched the video, and saw the familiar scenes of students who I have gotten to know, I was struck by my own feelings of gratitude towards the many of you who have touched my life, Assistant Director Lucy Daberkow's life, and the life of our program. To each of you, we are deeply indebted. For the reality is that while we may have taught you things you did not know, you have equally taught us things we did not know.

In closing, the words of Sir Winston Churchill, war-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, come to mind:

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."

Ms. Daberkow, all of the faculty who taught you, and I have the sincere privilege of wishing you wonderful, healthy, and fulfilling lives as you undertake the next chapter in your on-going journey of life.

--Don Smith