2020 Spring Commencement Ceremony (School of Business & Technology) Fitchburg State University
(soft music) - Congratulations to the Class of 2020 from your Commencement Committee. You did it! (people cheering) - good job! - Graduates, I am so excited and proud of you. Congratulations on your journey at Fitchburg State University, and I know that in the future, you are going to fly, and make a huge difference in the world. - I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how proud I am of you for achieving your goals and graduating. You did it. On behalf everyone in IT, we look forward to watching you change the world.
(speaking in a foreign language) Congratulations to you all. - Congratulations to the Class of 2020. Yoo-hoo! - Congratulations to our May and December math grads. (people cheering) (instruments rattling) - Cheers to you, Alex Cochran. - Shannon Jackson. - Erinn Melus.
- Gianna Perella - Nick Pruyn. - Oliver Titus. - Andrew White.
- Adrianna Keefe. - And Matt Foster! (people cheering) - I think what my friend Freddy was trying to say is, congratulations graduates, we're so super proud of you. To all the student athletes out there, congratulations. Go Falcons! ♪ Take, take, take your body over ♪ ♪ Ride, ride, ride a giant's shoulders ♪ ♪ Take, take, take off like never before ♪ ♪ Just spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Oh beautiful, for spacious skies ♪ ("America The Beautiful" by Fitchburg State Chamber Choir) ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ Above the fruited plain ♪ ♪ America, America ♪ ♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crowned thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ - Hello and welcome to Fitchburg State University's 124th Commencement Exercises. This is a ceremony without precedent, for a group of graduates without peer. On behalf of our entire university community, I am sorry that we are not celebrating together today in person as we had envisioned.
We had hoped that following the interruption of our academic year caused by COVID-19 pandemic, we would be able to return to the campus. Fill the quad with your parents, loved ones, and friends, to recognize your many achievements. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, we gathered virtually today to pay tribute to you all. The life of a university is marked by events that start and end academic terms, today, at long last, we mark the end of the spring 2020 semester with this ceremony and salute a cohort of graduates, who have proven themselves ready to adapt to any challenges presented to them, congratulations! ("Spread Your Wings" by Pindys) - Hello graduates of the Class of Spring, 2020. Even though we're not all gathered together today, know that we're proud of you, even more than you know.
I'm also confident that those that supported you along the way are very proud of you as well, and I hope that you'll take a moment to express your gratitude to them. Graduating from college is a major achievement, and I know that success did not happen by accident, each of you earned your degree, you worked hard, and were often challenged by difficult classes, and on occasion, were also tested by trying events outside of the classroom. Some of you balanced your studies while working a job, and perhaps we're even responsible for supporting the wellbeing of your family, and for many of you, you're the first in your family to earn a higher education degree. Regardless of your situation, you had to walk away from the college experience you knew and expected this past spring.
None of us would have ever imagined this possibility at the beginning of the academic term. For that, I thank you for your patience and flexibility, and commend you for your perseverance under those most difficult of circumstances. Together, we all learned the Chat function in Zoom and Google, and eventually developed muscle memory, when required to unmute ourselves when it was our turn to speak. I know that each of you has learned something about yourself, your character, and your capabilities, during this unprecedented time, And the important lessons you experienced will have great applicability for how you respond to events that will confront you in the future.
You have transitioned into a very different world from the one you anticipated. It's strange how unplanned and uncontrollable circumstances can have such a dramatic impact on one's life. It does provide insight, however, into the importance of being agile, flexible, understanding, and compassionate. You find yourself today trying to navigate in the midst of a health crisis, uncertain financial future, political polarization, and ongoing issues of inequality and injustice.
It is at times chaotic, stressful, and often fatiguing. In many ways, how you respond to this current situation, will define your generation. This is not the first time our nation has encountered great uncertainty, nor experienced circumstances that pose great challenges. One month before Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he wrote a message to Congress, which included the statement, "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate "to the stormy present.
"The occasion is piled high with difficulty, "and we must rise with the occasion. "As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew." If our world is going to get better, it's going to be up to you. You'll be the ones to determine how your generation will set our course.
This is your time, and we need you more than ever. You're well-trained, and possess the talent, and skills to do great things, and no generation has been better positioned to make meaningful change. We need poets and scientists, artists and engineers, business people and philosophers, and most of all, creative thinkers that are willing to share their ideas, even if initially, they prove counter to conventional thinking. For you, this is an opportunity to disrupt, and reshape the future for all of us now, and for the betterment of generations to come.
If you're passionate about something, speak out. Defend your position, tell the world. If you don't, no one will hear you. The word commencement is derived from a 13th century French word, meaning beginning or start. While we tend to think of commencement as an end, in this case, the celebration of an earned degree.
I hope you'll also think of commencement as a celebration of a new beginning. As graduates, you begin a new chapter in your lives for which there's great promise. Please know that we're always here to support you, and that Fitchburg State University will always be your home. I look forward to hearing from you, and learning about your many accomplishments in the years to come.
Good luck Class of 2020! - Hi everyone, I'm Stan Choruzek, and I'm Class of 2020 valedictorian. As a Marine veteran, the values of honor, courage, and commitment are part of who I am. So it gives me deep satisfaction to say as valedictorian, that I am proud to congratulate the Class of 2020 for finishing strong. Even in the face of a global pandemic, you never stopped moving forward.
The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said, "The only thing that is constant is change." Fitchburg State recently celebrated its 125th anniversary of changing lives, quite a significant milestone. On behalf of the Class of 2020, I want to thank the faculty, staff and Board of Trustees for changing our lives by giving us the tools we need to succeed, not only educationally, but also by imprinting us with a yearning to serve our community, and adapting our vision to include the betterment of all the people who surround us. On behalf of us adult learners, those undergrads over 25, I wanna also thank you for providing us with a second chance at a career, a fresh start. Having put my own education on hold to join the military, life changes, such as parenthood, family, and work, quickly became obstacles to completing my degree. We learn that change can bring opportunity, albeit masked behind many challenges.
Fitchburg State provided both the tools and the environment to balance adult life, and find a meaningful career path, something available to anyone, with the desire to academically achieve. I certainly could not have made it to where I am today without support from so many places, each change requiring their own support network. The ability to construct, and utilize support networks, was as important in the military as it was to being a father, and vital to excelling as a student.
Support in the most uncommon forms, such as spending a little bit too much time in the campus library because it was easier to study if I wasn't alone. As Falcons, we have learned not only the importance of being provided with the support to succeed, but also to give back to those in our environment, To serve people and your community has become the mortar, sealing our foundation of knowledge. Now, more than ever, during this pandemic, it's important to ask for help, and to give back, and I know you will persevere.
You will take flight and lead our world through whatever change is to come. Semper Fidelis! ("Spread Your Wings" by Pindys) - Good evening, my name is Paul Thibodeau. The administration has asked me to say a few words because I've had bestowed upon me, the Graduate Student Leadership Award. This means that the faculty and the student body have felt that I possess this certain savoir faire in regards to my comportment as a graduate student. As you can probably tell by looking at me, at 58 years of age, I'm what they call a nontraditional student.
However, the young men and women with whom I had the opportunity to study are unquestionably unique in their zeal to be of useful service to their fellow humans. It's not that I possess any more intelligence than the students sitting next to me, I do nevertheless possess more years of life experience. I've had many opportunities to overcome adversity, which translates into my genuine empathy. I like to say, the fates have not gotten me through adversity, so I can use precious resources, or suck air.
They want me to use those experiences to assist those people who are having a little trouble with their own personal growth. I'd like to talk about the real heroes of Fitchburg State University. They're the dedicated men and women who teach. During my three years of graduate school, I've had the opportunity to learn from the finest scholars, I've had the good fortune to be involved with. More importantly, these men and women are not afraid to be human.
They lead by example, while teaching the fundamentals of mental health counseling. Dr. Deptula, the Head of Counseling Department, taught us the importance of enmeshing the scientific research-proven methods of counseling techniques into our practices.
While Dr. Hynes, showed us the importance of developing the therapeutic relationship, letting the people see that we're human. Most important, if you're going to convince them that the scientific method is going to work, they're going to have to trust you, and the therapeutic process. Employing these pearls of wisdom, I'm currently practicing in the field of psychotherapy.
I'm truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be taught by the exceptional professors at an institution shared with such ardent classmates. Thank you. ("Spread Your Wings" by Pindys) - Class of 2020, to start, I would like to say congratulations, we made it! Looking back to freshman year, I never thought I'd be where I am right now, and I'm sure many of you can relate, but I'm here, we're here, and we did it. I know this is not the celebration we deserve, but I hope more than anything that you can be grateful for all that you've achieved.
I hope that you can look back on your time at Fitchburg State University, and feel proud. 2020 has not been nice to us. We missed out on so many things that we deserved and finishing our final semester remotely. We missed out on our chance to say goodbye to the school that's been our home for the past few years. It breaks my heart knowing that you didn't get the chance to celebrate your accomplishments through the activities the Senior Committee was planning for you, but please know that that doesn't take away from the pride that we feel in this class.
You have shown time and time again that this is a class like no other, and I'm looking forward to seeing how far we will go. As we part ways, I'd like to leave you with a few words from a very good friend, and although they're simple, I believe them to be very powerful, so don't forget to be awesome. Congratulations Class of 2020. (Upbeat music) - And let me be amongst the many to congratulate you on your wonderful achievement. It has been my pleasure to get to know so many of you.
I want to give a big shout out to you, and all that you've been through, and all the best is yet to be. Another big shout out to my own son, Alex Cochran, Class of 2020, summa cum laude. Congratulations, all! - I just want to say to all my fellow graduates whether it's this semester or next, always thrive where you go.
No matter what career you choose, always thrive, and remember where you came from. This is the place where you build, and this is the place where you build your success. So always remember that, and go forward in life. - My colleagues and I in the Counseling Services office extend you congratulations on your achievement, and wish you tremendous success with all that the future brings.
- We recognize and admire the perseverance, and the resilience that has brought you to this point. You found a way to keep going in profoundly difficult circumstances. - Know also that you have inspired us. It was your strength that helped to sustain us through these challenging times. - Again, congratulations.
Be well as you go forth and bring that same passion and perseverance in all of your pursuits after Fitchburg State. - I am so proud of your accomplishments, and look forward to welcoming you as a new alumni of Fitchburg State University, Congratulations. (speaking in a foreign language) Congratulations, you did it! This graduation is the result of a lot of effort, with all the difficulties we face as Latinx, and on top of all that, a global pandemic. Nevertheless, you did it!!! You are strong and intelligent, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Continue fighting, continue gathering successes! We are with you! - Congratulations, Class of 2020, you did it! So proud of you.
This was a tough year, and you persevered. Hang in there, wishing you nothing but the best, and again, congratulations! - My name is Jason Smith and I'm the Assistant Dean for Student Success. I wanna congratulate the class of 2020.
You're college graduates, it's amazing, we're so proud of you, and the fact that you were able to complete your degree in what has been one of the most unpredictable, and unprecedented times in our history is truly astounding. Really excited to witness you going out into the world, and seeing the change that you create. It's really meaningful that you are a part of the Falcon family. We hope you stay in contact, congratulations, this is well-deserved. ♪ Callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ I believe in ya ♪ ♪ I'm callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ - On behalf of the Board of Trustees, and the entire Fitchburg State campus community, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our University's 124th Commencement Exercises. Mark Twain once said, the two most important days in your life, are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.
Today is one significant mile marker as you travel towards the day you find out why. It is a day to take a moment and celebrate yourselves. Today, the entire campus community acknowledges your tenacity, and all that you have accomplished to arrive at this great occasion.
The year 2020 has been described in many ways, ferocious, exhausting, and last month the College Dictionary declared lockdown its Word of the Year. This word was chosen because it was unifying experience for people across the world. Everyone playing their part, in combating the spread of COVID-19. For you, the graduates, lockdown was not just a unifying experience.
It was an unexpected and unwelcome hurdle on the road to this day. I would like to suggest that the 2020 word for you is the motto engraved on our University seal, perseverance. You persevered amidst this generation-defining pandemic, and all the other challenges you faced to complete your degrees today. We not only celebrate your achievements, we salute you for your resolve. So for the graduates, celebrate the end of this long and difficult road, but your journey by no means ends here. As you move forward, take the critical thinking skills and expertise honed in your studies at Fitchburg State, and apply them to new endeavors and new adventures.
The future will certainly hold more challenges, but you have been well-prepared by your experiences at this institution. Whatever goals you set for yourself, seek them, knowing you have the knowledge and the determination within you to achieve them. Mark Twain also said, the secret to getting ahead is getting started.
You have not only started, you are well on your way to productive and successful futures. In a few minutes, you will see your name, and the names of your fellow graduates on this screen. Savor the moment, we are all celebrating with you from near and far. Congratulations! - Greetings, Graduates of the School of Business and Technology.
I'm Keith Williamson, Dean of the School, and on behalf of my colleagues, I want to congratulate you on this tremendous achievement. You should be proud of yourselves. We've set a very high bar for you, and you've met or exceeded our expectations.
Thanks too to your families and friends who've supported you on this journey, I'm sure they too are proud of you, Again, congratulations on this great achievement, and good luck, and Go Falcons. - On behalf of the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education. It is my pleasure to congratulate you on behalf of the faculty and staff on this wonderful achievement given all that's happening in the world, you have demonstrated resilience and persistence, and these are skills that'll serve you well in your next adventure. Congratulations, Class of 2020, woo-hoo! - I am very grateful that you chose Fitchburg State to complete your MBA, and I hope that you learned well, and that you'd be able to take whatever you learned into your future careers, and as you continue what you do now.
I'd like to wish you well, as you go forward, ad I wish you all the best. - 2020 is a very unusual and difficult year, but I'm so happy that you all have made it through. Congratulations on your graduation, and the best wishes for your next adventure. Thank you.
- We wish you all the best and please keep in touch with us. - We wish you good luck, and we definitely are going to miss you. - Best wishes for the future. - Congratulations, Class of 2020, you guys are destined for greatness, you're gonna do awesome out there, and I wish you the best of luck, bye-bye. - We are so proud to have been part of your journey and hope you keep in touch.
wishing you all the best life has to offer, and like a true falcon, may you continue to soar. - Well done graduates. The Fitchburg State Honors Program congratulates the New Commonwealth Honors Scholars: Alyssa, Abigail, Rachel, Kelly, Olivia, Heather, Johnny, Jonathan, Anna, Sean and Aidan, we are proud of you, and best of luck for the future. ♪ Now, I can fly ♪ ♪ I feel alive ♪ ♪ I feel free ♪ ♪ I feel something ♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ And I know ♪ ♪ What I found is my truth ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ I'll stay here ♪ ♪ I won't ever go back, and fly ♪ ♪ Whenever you're near me ♪ ♪ I feel alive ♪ ♪ Now I can fly ♪ ♪ I feel alive ♪ ♪ Standing with your head in the clouds ♪ ♪ Never tired of looking down ♪ ♪ And if it ever rains, we'll just climb a little higher ♪ ♪ To keep ourselves a little dryer ♪ ♪ Take, take, take your body over ♪ ♪ Ride, ride, ride a giant's shoulders ♪ ♪ Take, take, take off like never before ♪ ♪ Just spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Take, take, take your body over ♪ ♪ Ride, ride, ride a giant's shoulders ♪ ♪ Take, take, take off like never before ♪ ♪ Just spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ In the lonely hour ♪ ♪ You stare in disbelief ♪ ♪ Tryin' to make it on your own ♪ ♪ Tryin' to stand up on your feet ♪ ♪ You can find the power ♪ ♪ If you know where to look ♪ ♪ Keep on doing what you should ♪ ♪ You're doing better than good ♪ ♪ Don't wait ♪ ♪ Wait until the summer ♪ ♪ Don't be ♪ ♪ Stuck on the outside ♪ ♪ We'll be here for one another ♪ ♪ We're ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Yeah, whoa, yeah ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Follow your intuition ♪ ♪ Don't turn around, and run ♪ ♪ The revolution starts inside ♪ ♪ The revolution starts tonight ♪ ♪ Taking a new position ♪ ♪ So you can finally find yourself ♪ ♪ Don't get left up on the shelf ♪ ♪ Jump into the wishing well ♪ ♪ Don't wait ♪ ♪ Wait until summer ♪ ♪ Don't be ♪ ♪ Stuck on the outside ♪ ♪ We'll be here for one another ♪ ♪ We're ready to fly, we're ready to fly ♪ ♪ Yeah, whoa, yeah ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ooh ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ I believe in ya ♪ ♪ I'm callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ I believe in ya ♪ ♪ I'm callin' out, callin' out ♪ ♪ Callin' out to ya ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't doubt, I don't doubt ♪ ♪ I believe in ya ♪ ♪ Now, I can fly ♪ ♪ I fell alive ♪ ♪ I feel free ♪ ♪ I feel something ♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ And I know ♪ ♪ What I found is my truth ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ I'll stay here ♪ ♪ I won't ever go ♪ ♪ Now I can fly ♪ ♪ Whenever you're near me ♪ ♪ I feel alive ♪ ♪ Now I can fly ♪ ♪ I feel alive ♪ ♪ Standing with your head in the clouds ♪ ♪ Never tired of looking down ♪ ♪ And if it ever rains, we'll just climb a little higher ♪ ♪ To keep ourselves a little dryer ♪ ♪ Take, take, take your body over ♪ ♪ Ride, ride, ride a giant's shoulders ♪ ♪ Take, take, take off like never before ♪ ♪ Just spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Take, take, take your body over ♪ ♪ Ride, ride, ride a giant's shoulders ♪ ♪ Take, take, take off like never before ♪ ♪ Just spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Spread your wings and soar ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ Soar higher, higher than the treetops ♪ ♪ Keep on climbing further, and it don't stop ♪ ♪ In the lonely hour ♪ ♪ You stare in disbelief ♪ ♪ Tryin' to make it on your own ♪ ♪ Tryin' to stand up on your feet ♪ ♪ You can find the power ♪ ♪ If you know where to look ♪ ♪ Keep on doing what you should ♪ ♪ You're doing better than good ♪ ♪ Don't wait ♪ ♪ Wait until summer ♪ ♪ Don't be ♪ ♪ Stuck on the outside ♪ ♪ We'll be here for one another ♪ ♪ We're ready to fly, ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Yeah, whoa, yeah ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly, ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ready to fly ♪ - To the Class of 2020, it's my privilege to welcome you to the Fitchburg State University Alumni Association. You are joining an elite group of more than 47,000 proud alumni from coast to coast and around the world. These graduates have helped pave the way for you today, and provide an incredible networking and support opportunity for you as you transition through your career.
The Class of 2020 embodies our institution's motto of perseverantia, perseverance. All of you have faced and overcome incredible challenges to get here today. Be proud of what you have achieved and know that the ability to adapt and overcome will serve you in all your endeavors in the future. Always remember what you learned at Fitchburg State, both inside and outside the classroom.
Know that all of us are forever bonded by our shared experiences of this great institution, and remember that your alumni association is here for you today and will be with you in the future as you will forever be a part of the Fitchburg State family. From all of us, including Freddie Falcon, congratulations! ♪ Everyone has their moment ♪ ♪ Everyone has their time ♪ ♪ Anyone can make it happen ♪ ♪ Anyone can change their minds ♪ ♪ Some don't let it go ♪ ♪ Some don't let it pass ♪ ♪ Oh no, no, yeah ♪ ♪ It's gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ It's gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ Some don't let it go ♪ ♪ Gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Some don't let it pass ♪ ♪ Gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ Our time ♪ ♪ Our time ♪ ♪ We're gonna raise it up ♪ ♪ We're gonna sing out loud ♪ ♪ And no, we won't give up ♪ ♪ And no, we won't back down ♪ ♪ We're gonna raise it up ♪ ♪ And spread our wings and fly ♪ ♪ And no, we won't give up ♪ ♪ It's gonna be our time ♪ ♪ We're gonna raise it up ♪ ♪ We're gonna sing out loud ♪ ♪ And no, we won't give up ♪ ♪ And no, we won't back down ♪ ♪ We're gonna raise it up ♪ ♪ And spread our wings and fly ♪ ♪ And no, we won't give up ♪ ♪ It's gonna be our time ♪ ♪ It's gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ It's gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ It's gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Don't let it go ♪ ♪ Don't let it pass ♪ ♪ Gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Our time ♪ ♪ Gonna be, gonna be ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ Gonna be our time ♪ ♪ Our time ♪
2020-12-19 02:58
