Chancellor Hastad, Distinguished Faculty and Staff, and all the friends, family, and classmates here today, I would like to say welcome, and thank you for your support!

As I prepared for this day, deciding what it was I wanted to pass along in my speech, I realized it had to be something I had personally experienced. As a communication student and a sports-reporting hopeful, I consider myself a professional in the practice of persistence. Persistence to get exceptional grades, persistence to find a job, and persistence to never stop being persistent. With this in mind I set out to write something that was more of a conversation that it was a speech. It is my hope that each of you will find something in my words that you can take with you long after this ceremony is over.

"There's one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life to pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done!"

These are powerful words from a powerful man: Vincent Thomas Lombardi. Vince Lombardi became an NFL head coach at the age of 45 and rose to eternal football greatness through his work with the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi's success is exceptional considering he began his career as a high school chemistry teacher and had no head coaching experience prior to joining the Green Bay Franchise. Undoubtedly he faced critics who said he couldn't succeed; after all the team he was responsible for seemed salvageable at best. When Coach Lombardi took over the Packers in 1959, Green Bay had just one win from the year before. A mere three seasons later, Lombardi transformed Green Bay into a championship team, and when he departed after nine years, Lombardi left behind the greatest dynasty in NFL history, compiling five NFL Championships, and two Super Bowl Titles for the Packers. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, Lombardi forged ahead. He refused the trappings others placed upon him and worked his way toward success. Vince Lombardi created his own legacy and so must you!

Determination, commitment, and persistence: these are many words, but they have just one message; you must never give up! Don't surrender your own personal goals because of the limitations that others place upon you. There will always be doubters, and they'll always have something to say. They'll tell you you're too young, or maybe that you're too old. They'll tell you that you're "not what they looking for," or that you lack sufficient experience. If you let them, the critics will find every excuse to keep you from succeeding. Don't let them!

If you want to live your dreams, you must personally go out and get them. Think for yourself and play an active role in building your future, for it is you, and only you, who will determine who it is you become, and what is it is you will do with your life. The future lies within you; Name it! Own it! It yours! Defy the stereotypes others have created and rebel against your critics. Knock downs your walls and get out of your own way. Don't follow where the path leads, but instead go where there is no path and leave a trail.

Listen to that little voice inside your head that tells you you're crazy for trying and tell it to shut up! Too many great ideas have died in the minds of those who were too hesitant to try. Most importantly, be true to yourself and never be ashamed of the person you are. If you can be satisfied with nothing other than the fact that you are proud of yourself, then you have much to be thankful for. Remember that you are the author of your own life's story-you create your own legacy.

Finally, in a moving speech to his players, Vince Lombardi remarked, "If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives."

These words are not only true of the gridiron game itself, but the game of life we suit up for each day.

It is my sincerest honor to extend congratulations to all of my fellow graduates-job well done on making it to this day!