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From YouTube: Urban College of Boston Commencement 2017
Description
At the Cutler Majestic Theater, in the Theater District, The Urban College of Boston presents the graduating class of 2017 with their much awaited diplomas, as well as award Mayor Walsh with the Robert M. Coard Distinguished Leader Medal.
A
A
B
Good
afternoon
I'm
Nancy
Daniel
vice
president
of
academics
of
urban
college
of
Boston
and
on
behalf
of
the
urban
college
of
Boston
and
the
faculty
I.
Thank
you
for
attending
this
glorious
event.
It's
my
honor
to
officially
open
the
2017
commencement
ceremonies
I
asked.
Could
you
turn
off
your
cell
phones
and
pagers
so
that
they
do
not
disturb
this
afternoon's
celebration?
At
this
time,
Rebekah
SS
UCB
class
of
2001
will
deliver
the
invocation.
C
Good
afternoon
students
we
can
bow
our
head,
loving
God,
to
come,
see
on
this
joyous
thing
as
the
graduates
prepare
to
walk
across
the
stage
to
receive
their
diplomas
in
pray
for
gratitude
for
the
many
blessings
that
have
made
this
moment
real
and
filled
with
great
potential
and
gratitude.
We
pray
for
the
families
and
the
many
who
have
sacrificed
in
work
to
see
this
hopeful
moment
in
gratitude.
We
pray
for
the
professors
and
administrators
who
have
challenged
cared
and
crafted
them
along
the
academic
journey.
B
D
D
D
E
Let's
read
it
again:
good
afternoon
there
we
go.
My
name
is
Michael
Taylor
and
I
have
the
privilege
of
serving
as
president
of
the
urban
college
and
I
have
for
the
last
four
and
a
half
years.
I
would
first
like
to
acknowledge
the
person
who
preceded
me
and
that
was
Nancy
Daniel
for
her
devotion
to
the
students,
as
well
as
devotion
to
this
College,
and
for
arranging
this
very
special
day.
Nancy.
E
Well,
ladies
and
gentlemen
of
the
class
of
2017,
that
sounds
good
enough.
I
first
met
many
of
you
at
the
Learning
Center
student
forums
at
our
10-year
accreditation
process,
you're
both
excited
and
you're
a
bit
apprehensive,
because
you
knew
that
in
a
few
short
months,
you'd
be
leaving
the
safe
and
supportive
community
in
search
of
new
opportunities.
Well,
here
we
are
for
many
of
you.
E
Your
timer
driven
college
is
about
to
close,
however,
in
addition
to
a
cheap
addition
to
acquiring
an
education
during
your
time
here,
you've
acquired
something
else:
a
new
family
comprised
of
your
urban
college,
classmates
teachers
and
staff.
So,
as
your
mocs
onto
this
beautiful
theater
today
understand
that
these
important
and
supportive
relationships
will
always
always
be
there
for
you
in
speaking
of
this
beautiful
theater,
it
is
114
years
old.
E
He
was
meticulously
restored
by
Emerson
College.
Over
a
several
year
period,
Emerson
raised
close
to
15
million
dollars
to
bring
it
back
to
its
original
grandeur.
So
let's
take
a
second
here
and
look
up
and
admire
this
magnificent
structure.
Just
look
at
this
a
magnificent
facility
that
you're
sitting
in
right
now
I
could
express
our
gratitude.
Emison
colleges,
President
Lee
Pelton,
for
the
graciously
hosting
us
here
today.
There
have
been
thousands-
probably
tens
of
thousands
of
performances
on
this
stage
since
1903,
but
none
none
more
important
than
the
one
we're
about
to
conduct.
E
Right
now
like
to
express
to
you
three
observations
that
have
made
about
the
class
of
2017.
They
are
a
joyful,
courageous
and
determined
group
first
thought
to
speak
to
the
joyful
spirit
of
this
group.
I
witnessed
this
collective
sense
of
delight.
Last
Tuesday
night
at
our
pre
commencement
celebration
at
the
gathering.
There
was
lots
of
laughter,
tears,
cheers
and
hugs,
but
I
was
most
struck
by
with
the
outpouring
of
love
and
joy
that
you
expressed
with
the
achievements
of
your
fellow
classmates.
E
We
are
gathering
today
at
the
same
delightful
spirit,
so
continue
to
laugh
cry,
shout
hug
and
express
joy
and
love,
because
this
is
a
sacred
moment
in
your
life,
your
burned
and
deserve
the
pride
of
accomplishment
that
you
feel
right
now
signified
by
your
presence
in
these
in
this
theater
at
rest.
In
these
medieval
robes,
surrounded
by
your
family
and
your
friends,
so
have
a
wonderful
time
sharing
this
experience
with
the
people
you
love
and
the
people
who
love
you.
E
Second
I
want
to
comment
on
your
courage.
Let's
take
a
few
minutes
to
this
call
how
you
felt
the
first
time
you
walked
off
the
elevator
on
the
seventh
floor
of
178
rm1
Street.
Think
about
that
for
a
second
just
right
now
think
about
that,
you
were
confronting
doubts
about
whether
you
could
do
college-level
work,
the
anxiety
of
meeting
new
people
and
questioning
whether
you
could
add
another
responsibility
to
your
already
hectic
life.
E
E
E
Only
did
you
have
the
courage
to
start
your
college
career
you've
stuck
with
it
over
the
course
of
several
years,
even
when
things
got
very
tough,
take
a
moment
to
think
about
how
many
child
care
arrangements
you
had
to
make
how
many
rides
in
the
tea,
particularly
during
the
springs,
rain
and
cold?
How
many
papers
you
had
to
write
or
presentations
you
had
to
make
how
many
late
nights
you
spent
studying
and
unlike
most
students
in
the
Boston
area,
you
have
a
few
other
things
to
do
like
raising
a
family
and
managing
a
full-time
job.
E
Reverend
Martin,
Luther
King
once
said
quote:
intelligence
plus
character
is
the
real
goal
of
a
true
education
and
repeat
that
intelligence
plus
character
is
the
real
goal
of
a
true
education.
Well,
you
have
clearly
achieved
the
true
education.
Your
true
education
experiments
reached
into
the
future
of
urban
college
by
your
engaging
with
our
10-year
accreditation
process
and
with
the
development
of
our
new
campus
of
the
China
trade
center
last
week.
Was
the
hundredth
birthday
celebration
of
former
President
John
Fitzgerald
Kennedy,
who
once
said
everyone
can
make
a
difference,
and
everyone
should
try?
E
Well
you've
made
a
remarkable
difference
in
your
lives
in
the
lives
of
your
children
in
the
lives
of
the
people
you
care
for
in
your
careers.
I
would
only
ask
you
to
continue
making
a
difference
by
providing
a
little
extra
encouragement
to
others
who
wish
to
pursue
their
dream
of
enrolling
in
college.
Your
success,
your
success,
will
be
a
dramatically
powerful
evidence
as
they
consider
taking
that
first
step.
You
mentioned
to
me
and
others
I'm.
Sorry,
you
mentioned
to
me
that
others,
many
of
whom
are
here
today,
have
been
there
for
you
throughout
this
process.
E
You
added
it
would
not
have
been
possible
to
complete
this
journey
without
their
help.
Well,
today,
take
a
moment
to
simply
say
thank
you
to
your
supporters,
your
children,
your
parents,
your
grandparents,
your
friends,
your
neighbors,
your
urban
college
teachers
and
staff.
In
fact,
why
don't
we
begin
that?
Thank
you
right
now
by
having
the
faculty
staff
and
your
family
and
other
guests
remain
seated
while
the
graduates
please
stand
and
give
these
dedicated
and
caring
people
in
your
life
a
round
of
applause,
an
expression
of
your
gratitude.
E
E
I'm
going
to
begin
to
introduce
the
people
behind
me
and
resistant
from
right
to
left
well
from
your
left,
I
guess
and
we'll
go
this
way
if
you
will
and
then
we'll
work
ourselves
around
the
rest
of
the
Dyess
Mickey
Okimoto
mr.
Peter
AB
Jeffrey
Sanchez,
Maria
Sanchez,
dr.
Connie
counts,
Sharon
Scott
Chandler,
ken
grout,
miss
Marin,
tober,
Dolores,
Calif,
Donna,
Williams,
Carol,
Hilliard,
Bernat,
Davidson,
Travis
linson
commands
a
us
by
the
way
who
did
a
wonderful
job,
singing
the
national
anthem.
Thank
you
very,
very
much
for
doing
a
beautiful.
E
We
go
on
with
Sonia
solace,
Edward
currency,
Diane,
Watson,
Phillips,
Elizabeth,
Aglio,
Christa,
Zarrella,
Norah,
Aurora.
You've
met
mrs.
Nancy
Daniel
John
Accord,
this
Alison
Matthews
Steven
losen
Linda
duma's,
Mary,
chin,
John,
Drewe,
avanti,
Seymour,
Annika,
Darrow,
Phoenix,
Phung,
Rock,
Beaumont,
James,
Morgan,
Everest,
onua,
Carmen,
Panetta,
Reverend,
Dalia,
pelvic,
Gabrielle,
Mary,
Ann,
Marie,
no
bench
in
Carolyn.
Beaute
follows
one
Oh
Alvin
helpful,
Adi,
Ella,
Lee,
Han
and
Paula
is
a
Toronto
like
them
all
to
stand
and
have
you
give
your
expression
of
appreciation
today.
E
Would
like
now
to
introduce
to
you
the
chairman
of
the
board
of
the
urban
college,
individual,
who
has
been
steadfast
in
his
leadership
of
this
organization
through
the
thick
and
the
thin,
and
it
was
a
period
where
it
was
very
thin
and
he
stood
for
I
stood
stood
strong
for
us.
It
has,
throughout
that
period
of
time
I'd
like
to
have
introduced
to
you,
mr.
Peter
Evan.
F
On
behalf
of
the
trustees
of
the
urban
college,
welcome
welcome
to
the
family
and
friends
who
have
made
this
journey
possible.
Welcome
to
the
administrators
staff
and
faculty
whose
talent
and
dedication
are
the
lifeblood
of
the
college
and
welcome
to
our
remarkable
graduates,
whose
presence
here
this
afternoon
is
proof
that
even
in
these
uncertain
times,
almost
anything
is
possible
to
all
of
you.
F
As
a
trustee
at
urban
college,
bard
was
a
force
to
be
reckoned
with
and
represented
the
very
best
of
what
the
urban
college
has
to
offer.
Just
as
you,
our
graduates
represent
the
very
best
of
what
individuals
can
accomplish
if
they
can
dream
big
enough
and
work
hard
enough
to
make
their
goals
a
reality.
F
It
is
now
my
great
pleasure
to
introduce
John
drew
president
and
CEO
of
action
for
Boston
Community,
Development,
City's
largest,
most
important
and
most
effective
social
service
agency
for
over
30
years.
John
has
been
both
local
and
national
leader
and
a
fighter,
and
an
advocate
in
the
community
action
movement
and
John
loves
a
good
fight
and
for
the
urban
college
of
Boston
John
has
been
a
true
hero.
F
Over
the
years,
John
has
been
a
trustee,
an
adjunct,
professor,
and
something
of
a
magician
repeatedly
finding
the
financial
resources
necessary
for
the
college
to
survive
and
today
thrive.
The
urban
college
has
ports
that,
indeed,
to
have
such
a
loyal,
steadfast
and
effective
friend
and
I
am
proud
and
honored
to
introduce.
My
friend
John
drew.
G
Remember
when
we
started,
we
started
the
first
legal
service
program,
first
WIC
program
for
six
health,
centers
CDC's,
why
that
was
our
mission
to
provide
people
in
the
community
in
the
neighborhood
access
to
institutions
that
were
not
there
before,
so
they
couldn't
get
ahead
and
a
big
part
of
that
was
education
and
because
there's
a
lack
of
education
for
late
bloomers.
Like
me,
you're
all
beautiful,
look,
you're,
really
beautiful!
G
So
we
started
a
program.
We
call
college
program
where
people
came
to
ABCDE
in
took
classes
in
our
building
from
less
the
monkey
Hill
all
kinds
of
colleges
we
paid
for
the
courses,
but
we
picked
the
teachers
and
a
lot
of
people
from
neighborhoods
and
our
own
staff
were
drawn
into
that
became
learners
and
graduated
eventually
from
another
institution,
but
there
wouldn't
have
got
there.
G
They
hadn't
started
with
us
because,
as
the
president
of
this
College
said,
and
my
friend
Nancy
density
Daniels
remembers
all
this
when
they
went
to
other
institutions
that
were
not
accepted
or
they
had
to
leave
because
it
was
not
an
environment
that
could
thrive.
It
hadn't
been
to
school
for
few
years,
so
1990s
says
in
here.
We
just
went
from
a
college
program
to
a
college
today.
Didn't
happen
like
that.
G
G
Not
that
I,
don't
love
the
world
of
higher
education.
I
do
but
somehow
they
thought
a
community
organization
becomes.
A
college
doesn't
happen,
but
we
kept
pounding
the
door
and
pounding
the
door
and
shame
them
the
best.
We
could,
because
we
had
in
mind
I
did
too
then
in
25
years
I'd
be
staying
here
in
front
of
90
graduates.
They
couldn't
see
that
the
blob
could
we
could
so
yeah.
Naturally
they
conceded
to
us.
You
are
a
college
and
conceded
we
get
a
Croatian
and
I
can
tell
you
the
truth.
G
G
Maybe
they
couldn't
get
in
the
front
door
Hobbit
if
you
wanted
to
anyway.
Well,
maybe
they
couldn't
have
got
someplace
else,
they're
too
busy
in
life,
and
sometimes
life
is
said,
you're
not
going
to
succeed.
We
had
to
turn
that
around
that's
what
ABC
is
all
about
and
still
it
so
I'm
so
happy
to
be
here
with
this
class
you
from
the
23
classes,
before
you
back
to
the
first
graduation
with
four
students.
G
Nothing
can
stop
you.
Nobody
should
get
in
your
way.
Nobody
should
tell
you
you
can't,
because
you
can
do
it.
You
have
done
it
so
I
want
to
thank
from
my
right
and
to
my
left.
I
may
not
be
here
forever.
We're
half
a
while
50
years,
but
every
year
is
a
graduation
of
the
urban
college.
Is
another
success
for
this
town
for
our
community
and
for
you
and
everybody
else,
and
everybody
back
there
so
I
said:
go
Orban
with
me:
go
Irvin,
go.
E
E
H
Thank
you
Michael
good
afternoon,
and
congratulations
to
all
of
the
graduates
on
behalf
of
the
trustees
of
the
urban
college
is
my
pleasure
and
honor
to
introduce
mrs.
Maria
Sanchez.
Mrs.
Sanchez's
journey
to
this
stage
is
similar
to
your
own.
She
was
born
on
a
farm
in
Puerto
Rico
and
migrated
to
New,
York
City
and
then
had
the
good
sense
to
come
to
Boston,
while
raising
two
children.
She
earned
a
GED
and
later
graduated
from
Boston
State
College
in
1979,
while
working
full-time.
H
Initially,
she
worked
at
the
receptionist's
became
a
social
worker
and
then
she
advanced
to
the
role
of
probation
officer
from
the
for
the
Boston
juvenile
court,
where
she
worked
with
distinction
for
25
years
in
the
1970s,
while
living
in
public
housing,
mrs.
Sanchez
became
a
community
organizer,
helping
families
improve
their
living
conditions
and
helping
others
gain
access
to
affordable
housing
to
ensure
that
tenants
had
a
meaningful
role
in
the
management
of
their
own
communities.
Mrs.
H
It
was
during
this
time
also
that
she
had
a
close
connection
to
action
for
Boston
community
development
as
leader
on
one
of
our
neighborhood,
a
back
neighborhood
boards
in
Parker,
Hills
Fenway
area
and
worked
closely
with
John
drew
for
many
years
in
those
early
days
to
help
residents
and
community
members
find
their
voice
and
utilize
their
voice
for
advocating
for
themselves.
Thank
You,
mrs.
Sanchez.
H
H
She
has
worked
on
numerous
political
campaigns,
including
mayoral,
gubernatorial
and
presidential,
focusing
on
and
educating
and
raising
awareness
in
the
community
about
the
importance
of
registering
to
vote
and
exercising
that
right.
Those
of
us
in
the
anti-poverty
movement
are
all
too
aware
of
the
importance
of
voting,
particularly
at
the
national
level.
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Bennett
anguish,
rule
Evita,
you
are
there.
You
are
the
wrong.
They
grew.
They
hold.
Everything
together
continue
to
do
so
in
your
journey
from
eleganza
with
elegance
and
I
mean
strength,
integrity,
Thank,
You,
president
ale,
the
trustees
and
faculty
for
this
wonderful,
oh
no
Senora
amigas
me
vegusto,
es
dofus,
facile,
las
policÃas,
Oh
espero
que
antenna
door,
a
sweater
or
Tangela
suerte
reveille,
tenido,
UN,
compañero,
home
esposo
Kelly
do
renergie
a
la
fuerza
la
voluntad.
I
I
Or
insane
is
that
I
feel
proud
of
my
Laurel
for
myself
what
I
have
brought
I
feel
very
proud
of
my
husband,
hopefully
that
you
guys,
ladies
and
generally,
they
support
the
friendship,
the
companion,
the
person
who
gave
you
all
the
support.
Who
was
the
dishes
for
you
at
the
time
of
us,
the
world
school?
That
was
me
me
Sanchez
and
my
husband.
He
did
that
me
and
I
said
before
I.
I
I
Hey
Nino
today
los
ninos,
no
significa
caste
rebenga
en
su
camino
por
el
Quintero
dawnia's
de
ville
de
energÃa,
para
seguir,
adelante,
los
ninos,
so
la
Fortaleza
be
steady.
Okay,
yo
Sal
meetin
que
nadie
se
rehalia
camino
que
tiene
un
caso
del
gobierno
futuro
lucha.
No,
no
de
en
que
nadie
se
habla
en
el
camino
see
ya.
E
E
E
Representative
Jeffrey
Sanchez
represents
one
of
the
state's
most
diverse
legislative
districts
stretching
from
Jamaica
Plain
and
Rosendale
to
Mission
Hill
in
Brookline,
there's
a
home
to
some
of
Massachusetts,
poorest
and
wealthiest
residents
in
people
of
many
cultures.
It
also
provides
a
view
into
the
best
and
the
worst
of
health
care.
Some
of
the
best
hospitals
in
the
world
are
located
in
that
district,
but
some
are
many
people
who
have
trouble
accessing
medical
care
because
of
cost
or
other
barriers.
I
believe
is
that
contradiction
that
motivated
represents
Sanchez
to
seek
committee
assignments.
E
E
There
wasn't
Sanchez
focus,
it's
also
been
unaffordable
housing
and
you
can
see
why
he
wasn't
going
to
knock
it
off
that
issue,
but
his
mother
beside
him,
that's
for
sure
and
Children's
Services.
The
beneficiaries
of
that
leadership
have
been
the
individuals
and
families
living
in
the
600.
New
units
of
housing
in
Jamaica
plains,
Jackson
Square
neighborhood
represents
Sanchez
was
instrumental
with
the
development
of
the
nursery
early
education
center
in
the
Bromley
Heath
public
housing
development.
It
is
a
beautiful,
beautiful,
state-of-the-art
setting
for
young
children
to
gather
for
the
early
educational
experience.
E
E
I've
also
had
the
privilege
to
witness
jeffrey
in
his
role
as
a
supportive,
neighbor
son
of
a
wonderful
wonderful
mother,
husband
to
his
beautiful
wife,
lender
brendor
and
as
a
father
to
his
loving
daughter's
Luna
in
MEA
growing
up
as
young
men
representative
Sanchez
had
the
privilege
of
watching
his
mother
demonstrate
the
value
of
community
engagement,
I'm,
confident
that
as
become
a
Sanchez
family
experience,
which
is
a
passed
on
to
his
two
children.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
it
is
my
pleasure
to
confirm,
under
a
degree
a
newer
child
education,
representative,
Jeffrey
Sanchez.
K
Go
on
and
on
and
on
why?
Because
urban
college
represents
Boston
and
represents
the
nation
look
at
each
other.
All
these
beautiful
faces.
All
of
you
represent
the
dynamic
greatness
of
what
is
our
city
of
Boston
and
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
and
I'm
honored
to
be
in
front
of
you
today,
you
couldn't
ask
me
to
speak
at
Harvard
and
feel
the
way
that
I
feel
right
now.
K
They
were
trying
to
take
that
tear
down
our
communities.
There
was
a
lot
of
abandonment
and
everybody
had
to
stand
up
those
that
felt
that
felt
the
need
to
say
something
really
had
to
stand
up
and
stand
up
collectively.
Why
the
housing
project
that
we
were
going
to
that
we
were
growing
up
in.
Although
we
have
these
great
institutions
around
us,
there
were
other
ideas
and
public
housing.
K
Now
it's
nurture
II
and
she
dropped
me
in
the
classroom
and
then
walked
to
her
desk
as
the
receptionist
at
that
daycare
center
every
day
and
I.
Remember,
I,
remember
suffering,
because
I
thought
that
that
hallway
was
the
longest
hallway
in
the
wood
in
the
world
because
it
separated
me
from
mommy
and
then
eventually
she
graduated
and
guess
what
she
left
the
building.
K
She
left
the
building
and
I.
Remember
standing
on
that
cot
I,
stand
on
the
cot
off
the
window
and
I'd
see
her
walking
out
and
I
would
lose
my
mind
and
point
mrs.
robe
Elwood
would
try
and
calm
me
down
and
what
was
she
doing
after
she
graduated
she
got.
She
was
working.
The
community
and
got
herself
a
job
as
a
social
worker
and
that
social
worker
job
she
is
essentially
was
everybody
Social
Work
in
the
housing
project
that
we
grew
up
in
and
our
family
was
there
with
us
and
friends.
K
K
K
No,
no
just
talk
to
me
did
astir.
Imagine
there's
an
Italian
mayor
in
Boston,
because
I
was
in
California
and
that
was
a
big
deal
and
then
when,
when
he,
when
I
met
the
mayor's
they
I
know.
All
of
you
know.
Tom
Menino
he's
talked
about
one
thing
and
it
was
mission
main
the
project
that
I
grew
up
in.
We
are
going
to
rebuild
that
housing
project
we
are
going
to.
We
are
going
to
make
those
distinguished
people
lived
in
distinguished
homes
and
that's
what
we
were
able
to
do.
K
I
was
I
was
able
to
continue
everything
that
my
mother
did
everything
that
I
saw
when
she
would
come
home
crying
because
people
weren't
getting
together
or
when
she
felt
like
she
was
being
ignored
because
of
there
was
a
lot
of
that.
She
constantly
felt
like
she
had
to
fight
for
everything
and
in
one
point
in
time
everything
was
against
her.
K
There
was
an
article
in
The
Boston
Globe,
where
they
were
leaders
that
called
her
and
other
folks
that
were
pushing
against
against
the
city
irresponsible,
but
she
said-
and
she
was
quoted
in
the
globe
and
said
I
know
that
we
have
to
fight
for
what
is
right
and
I,
and
that
is
something
that
I
take
with
me
and
everything
that
I
do
and
that's
what
you
folks
are
doing
right
now.
You
are
fighting
for
what
is
right:
Human,
Services
and
early
education
right
now
in
this
community.
K
K
K
You
might
do
the
family
daycare,
but
there's
great
examples
of
how
family
daycares
have
turned
into
large
operations
and
are
doing
incredible
things
on
a
day
to
day
basis
and
making
a
difference
in
the
lives
of
children,
especially
children
and
poor
communities.
They
live
on
a
cell
of
a
financier.
You
folks
are
going
to
make
the
difference
in
everything
that
you
do
use
this.
Also,
as
you
heard,
to
become
leaders
in
your
community.
K
Because
everything
is
being
written
around
you
in
many
cases,
not
necessarily
with
you
and
you
have
to
engage
with
your
community
to
make
that
difference.
You
can't
just
take
the
degree
and
walk
off
you
got
to
keep
on
coming
back
and
you
got
to
grab
a
hand
of
people
and
your
eyes
have
to
bring
them
with
you.
K
E
You
know
I
mentioned
to
you
in
my
opening
remarks,
how
important
it
was
for
you
to
make
a
difference
in
the
people's
lives.
Who
will
follow
you
when
the
seat?
You
are
in
right
now
and
to
echo
what
both
Maria
and
Jeffrey
just
said.
It's
important
that
you
also
play
the
role
as
advocate
and
leader
in
the
communities
as
well
to
make
sure
these
kinds
of
programs
live
on
long
after
we're
gone
to
benefit
the
thousands
of
people
to
follow
view.
So
I
want
to
thank
you
both
for
that
clear
message
you
gave
today.
E
E
For
example,
Mickey
was
the
America
core
national
direct
program
officer
at
the
Corporation
for
National
community
service
in
working
at
the
circle
solutions
consulting
firm
in
Vienna
Virginia,
where
she
worked
in
a
wide
range
of
projects
that
including
assessing
protocols
for
busting
and
cleaning
up
meth
labs,
developing
procedures
for
coordinating
police,
Child,
Protective,
Services
and
correctional
systems.
When
single
caretakers
of
young
children
were
arrested,
assessing
a
national
HIV,
a
IDs
prevention
and
education
project
in
developing
cultural
based
drug
abuse,
prevention
programs
for
the
asian-american
Pacific
island
population.
E
E
They
were
considering
it
at
the
same
time
at
the
same
moment
that
are
acquitted.
The
agency
put
us
on
probation
and
our
finances
were
at
the
very
best
in
top
shape.
Well,
you
can
imagine
it
was
a
rather
interesting
conversation
with
Mickey
interoffice
that
day
I
made
no
I.
Think
I
pleaded
Urban's
case
to
Mickey.
E
In
late
December
of
that
year,
urban
college
received
a
large
grant
from
the
bail
for
after
I
got
over
my
shock
and
shared
joy.
I
called
Mickey
I
simply
asked.
Why
did
she
advocate?
But
when
the
urban
college
had
so
many
challenges
before
it
Mickey
responds
quote,
we
concluded
that
urban
college
was
worth
the
risk.
E
She
said
it
twice
worth
the
risk
because
of
what
you
do
and
who
you
do
it
for,
in
my
opinion,
that
bail
for
grant
was
one
of
the
most
critical
grants
ever
received
by
urban
college
in
the
last
24
years.
I
would
even
go
as
far
to
say
you
would
not
have
survived
without
it
so
Mickey.
The
urban
college
family
is
profoundly
grateful
for
your
timely
support
for
and
for
your
faith
in
the
mission
of
urban
college
in
Boston.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
is
my
pleasure
to
present
to
you
your
2017
winchman
Speaker,
Miss,
Mickey
akimoto.
L
Good
afternoon,
everyone
first
and
foremost,
Michael
always
gives
too
much
credit
to
the
balfour
foundation.
The
urban
college
mission
is
so
important,
I
truly
believe
it
would
have
survived,
but
we
were
glad
to
be
able
to
be
there
at
a
particular
moment,
I'd
like
to
start
by
congratulating
the
urban
college
graduates
of
2017
you
are
phenomenal.
I
would
also
like
to
thank
Aaron
College
president
Michael
Taylor,
the
Dean's
faculty
and
staff
of
the
college
and
the
Board
of
Directors
for
this
invitation
to
speak.
L
It
is
my
great
privilege
and
honor
to
be
here
today
to
help
you
mark
and
celebrate
your
graduation
to
have
the
chance
to
acknowledge
this
milestone
for
you
and
for
urban
college
today.
I
want
to
talk
to
you
for
just
a
few
minutes
about
this
moment
in
time.
This
pause
in
your
journey
this
intersection,
this
crossroad,
at
which
you
now
find
yourself
life
as
a
journey,
is
a
well-worn
metaphor,
but
it
is
so
often
known
and
so
often
used,
because
it's
useful
it
resonates.
It
works.
L
However,
in
the
metaphor,
is
about
the
roads
that
we
travel
the
journeys
that
we
take.
We
don't
always
spend
a
lot
of
time
talking
about
the
intersections
and
crossroads,
but
the
points
where
our
lives
to
turn
the
times
when
we
pause
uncertain
of
the
road
to
take
and
the
moments
when
we
make
the
decisions
that
take
our
lives
and
wholly
unexpected,
but
wonderful
directions
in
legends
from
around
the
world
intersections
and
crossroads,
hold
power,
promise
and
danger
in
multiple
stories.
L
If
you
stand
at
the
crossroads
at
just
the
right
time
and
with
just
the
right
wish,
the
devil
or
some
other
powerful
figure
will
appear
and
grant
you
that
wish,
but
always
in
exchange
for
something
you
didn't
even
realize,
is
valuable
until
you've
traded
it
away
at
the
crossroads.
You
must
make
decisions
and
bargains
very
carefully
at
all
crossroads,
give
the
chance
to
move
forward,
but
we
must
also
give
up
the
possibilities
of
the
roads
that
we
don't
take
at
these
intersections.
L
We
must
choose
which
horizon,
we
believe,
hold
our
dream
in
our
destination,
as
we
strikeout
out
after
that
dream.
We
must
consider
what
we
will
carry
with
us
and
what
we
leave
behind.
We
are
travelers
students
hungry
to
learn
what
is
down
the
next
road
and
what
lies
ahead,
but
the
journey
is
not
always
easy
and
in
fact
it
is
often
difficult.
L
As
you
know,
nicer
long
days
are
cold
and
because
we
live
in
New
England,
there
is
always
more
snow
that
we
want
to
deal
with,
but
we
do
continue
our
journeys,
because
that
is
what
we
do
and
who
we
are
because
we
believe
in
the
promise
of
that
horizon,
but
pay
attention
at
the
crossroads.
Learn
the
lessons
of
these
kinds
of
moments,
as
Michael
talked
about.
The
journey
of
this
wonderful
institution
has
had
its
share
of
defining
crossroads
moments.
You
heard
from
John
about
its
history
and
some
of
the
changes
that
it
went
through.
L
It
made
a
space
for
itself
in
a
city
in
a
landscape
that
sunlights
they
were
already
overcrowded
with
colleges
and
universities,
but
it
forged
ahead
its
face
this
moment
of
in
certainty
a
few
years
ago,
but
president
Taylor's
and
others
reached
out
and
asked
for
help,
and
you
you,
the
students,
you
this
faculty
and
staff.
You
all
responded,
and
yes,
funders
came
along
too,
but
it
was
this
community
that
responded
that
brought
back
old
students
that
recruited
new
students
that
spread
the
word
about
the
mission
and
successes
and
the
promise
of
urban
college.
L
You
stood
at
that
moment
in
time
and
said:
there's
a
rough
road
ahead,
but
this
intersection
we
are
making
the
decision
and
we're
moving
forward
and
I.
Have
no
doubt,
as
you
continue
down
this
road,
you
will
only
grow
stronger.
My
own
journey
has
been
literal
and
metaphorical.
I
am
now
living
in
my
eighth
city
and
third
country
of
my
life.
L
When
asked
to
describe
myself
in
the
context
of
race
and
inclusion,
I
found
myself
saying,
I
stand
at
intersections
and
in
that
moment
I
recognized
where
I
truly
belong.
I
am
biracial,
bicultural
and
I
have
worked
in
nonprofits
foundations,
global
corporations
and
the
federal
government.
As
a
member
of
Generation
X
that
generation,
everyone
that
forgets
that
stands
between
the
boomers
and
the
Millennials
and
my
current
job
I
connect
people
of
wealth
with
nonprofits
and
poor
communities.
I
act
as
a
bridge
across
time.
L
Interpreting
the
wishes
of
long-dead
donor
with
today's
community
needs
I
understand
the
risk
of
the
power
and
the
sorry
I
understand
the
power
of
the
journey
and
of
the
decisions
that
we
make
of
the
risk
we
take
in
making
decisions
that
are
sometimes
based
only
in
our
gut
instincts.
At
critical
intersections
in
my
life,
I
have
often
made
a
leap
of
faith,
take
it
off
and
what
felt
like
uncharted
directions
off
the
edges
in
that
was
familiar,
but
with
a
desire
to
learn
to
grow
and
to
keep
exploring.
L
There
were
certainly
moments
of
doubt
of
wanting
to
turn
back,
but
I
was
fortunate
to
have
good
friends
and
family
along
the
way,
and
I
was
stubborn
in
my
belief
that
I
could
make
it
to
the
next
step
to
keep
moving
ahead
to
reach
the
next
intersection.
I
stand
at
intersections
and
I
have
both
the
privilege
and
risk
of
connecting
people
from
different
worlds
and
cultures.
I
can
act
as
a
bridge
for
ideas
and
generations
for
money
and
resources.
L
It
is
a
role
that
can
make
you
feel
very
important
and
even
more
dangerously
self-important,
but
I
try
to
keep
in
mind
the
words
of
my
wise
friend,
Camilla
Clark,
who
said
to
me
once,
if
you're
going
to
make
yourself
a
bridge,
be
prepared
to
be
walked
on
a
reminder
that
sometimes
I
am
nothing
more
than
infrastructure.
Something
taken
for
granted.
Well,
the
important
to
traffic
and
transactions
are
happening
above
that
my
story
isn't
important,
but
the
work
is
there's
an
important
lesson
here
for
all
of
us
in
that
about
changing
the
world.
L
Sometimes
our
highest
purpose
is
to
be
the
connector
to
help
others
navigate.
The
cross
I
know
that
all
of
you
graduating
today
here
have
worked
extraordinarily
hard
to
get
here
that
you
have
had
your
share
of
moments
of
doubt,
the
intersections
that
you
had
wondering
if
you
could
write
that
one
more
paper
go
to
one
more
class
suffer
through
one
more
tear
I
when
the
tea
was
not
having
a
good
day.
L
If
you
really
allow
yourself,
though
you
you
push
yourself,
though,
and
you've
got
here
to
today's
commencement-
and
here
you
are
I-
hope
that
you
are
allowing
yourself
a
moment
of
pride,
gratitude
and
joy
and
what
you
have
accomplished.
This
is
no
small
thing
you
have
done.
You
are
now
college
students
and
I'm,
a
college
graduate
and
I
am
proud
and
privileged
to
be
here
today
to
help
you
celebrate
this
to
recognize
how
important
you
are
to
the
future
of
this
city,
this
state
and
this
country,
you
are
the
people
we
have
been
waiting
for.
L
You
are
the
future.
You
will
be
the
ones
launching
out
into
the
world
now
to
change
it
for
the
better,
but
before
you
head
out
there
I
do
ask
that
you
stop
at
this
moment,
stop
and
reflect
you
have
run,
walked
and
no
doubt
sometimes
crawl
to
get
where
you
are.
This
moment
is
both
a
graduation
and
ending
as
well
as
the
commencement
a
beginning.
L
You
get
to
pause
and
celebrate,
but
in
the
morning
or
sometimes
very
soon,
you
have
to
decide
which
way
you
will
now
turn
which
road
you
will
pick
what
you
will
do
out
there
in
the
broader
world.
You
will
also
make
decisions
about
what
we
would
take
carry
forward
from
this
moment
in
what
you
leave
behind,
as
I
have
made
my
journey
across
the
years
continents
and
jobs.
L
Here
is
what
I
have
learned
as
much
as
success
is
often
defined
by
what
we
acquire
cars
job
titles,
iPhones
houses
I
believe
it
to
be
a
successful
person,
a
good
citizen
in
the
truest
sense
of
the
world.
We
must
also
learn
to
let
go
and
I
would
like
to
share
a
little
bit
about
what
I
have
learned.
Let
go
of
resentment
life
isn't
fair.
This
is
one
of
life's
earliest
lessons,
but
also
the
one
we
seem
to
need
to
learn
over
and
over
holding
grudges
resented
the
capricious
way
that
life
will
favor.
L
One
person
over
another
is
a
heavyweight
that
will
only
slow
you
on
your
journey.
Let
go
of
resentment,
let
go
of
jealousy.
There
will
always
be
someone
who
is
smarter,
faster
and
prettier
wealthier
than
you,
but
to
someone
else
you
are
the
fairy
tale.
Don't
forget
that
to
someone
else,
you
are
the
one
that
has
it
all.
L
If
you
spend
time
worrying
about
something
someone
who
you
believe
better
than
you
that
a
simply
time,
you
could
have
used
to
work
on
learning
the
next
skill
spending
time
with
your
family
or
curling
up
with
a
good
book.
Let
go
of
jealousy
let
go
of
hubris.
I
will
never
tell
you
not
to
take
pride
in
what
you
do,
but
hubris
says
that
I
and
I
alone
can
do
this
and
I
own
and
I
alone
made
this.
You
know
better.
You
know
that
as
Marianne
Williamson
said,
as
president
Taylor
alluded
to,
there
is
no.
L
They
only
up
now
more
than
any
time
that
I
can
remember.
We
need
to
hold
fast
to
this
idea.
There
is
only
us,
carry
your
pride,
don't
ever
forget
how
far
you
have
come,
what
you
have
done
and
accomplished
look
behind
you
at
this
particular
crossroads
and
acknowledge
to
yourself
all
the
mountains
you
climb
to
get
here
for
today
and
carry
your
anger,
do
not
descend
into
blind
rage
or
pointless
fury,
but
the
angry
wave
is
called
for
the
angry
at
injustice
and
take
action.
L
The
angry
at
discrimination
pointed
out,
carry
your
anger
and
use
it
in
useful
ways.
Carry
your
learning
and
wisdom.
Urban
college
has
taught
you
many
things.
I
suspect
you've
learned
even
more
from
your
friends.
Families,
classmates
colleagues
and
neighbors,
keep
on
learning
and
keep
learning,
keep
your
learning
and
keep
adding
to
it.
Never
stop
seeking
out
new
horizons
to
conquer
on
this
front.
Carry
your
connection.
You've
been
part
of
a
community.
Here
president
Taylor
talked
about
this
family
that
you
joined,
and
he
told
me
great
stories
of
the
ways
that
you
have
all
pulled
together.
L
Stories
of
classmates
who
bring
a
sick
classmate,
not
only
her
homework
but
soup
to
help
her
feel
better.
Remember
this
and
stay
connected.
We
are
in
a
networked
world
and
our
networks
matter
hold
fast
to
your
friends
and
connections,
carry
the
people
you
have
met,
even
if
only
for
a
brief,
while
I
grew
up
on
a
military
base,
where
most
people
stayed
for
only
two
to
three
years
and
then
moved
on
to
the
next
post.
I
learned
early,
that
very
little
in
life
is
permanent.
L
There
is
never
enough,
there's
never
too
much
happiness
in
this
world
so
when
you
are
happy,
find
ways
to
share
it,
but
for
small
random
moments
when
you
can
bring
unexpected
laughter
to
someone
share
the
treasure
of
your
joy-
and
this
is
important,
carry
your
story
and
share
it
widely.
You
each
have
a
great
story
to
tell
your
the
sum
total
of
generations
of
stories
and
is
from
our
stories
that
we
learn
to
understand
each
other
and
the
world.
You
are
daughters,
sons,
mothers,
sisters,
fathers,
brothers,
friends
and
neighbors.
L
You
are
dancers,
scholars,
hard
workers,
early,
risers,
late,
sleepers,
dog
lovers,
runners,
dreamers,
artists
and
something
the
world
has
never
seen
before,
or
will
again
share
your
unique
self
of
the
world
and
share
all
of
it.
We
are
each
of
us
intersections
in
our
own
right,
women
of
color
women
and
people
of
color,
men
and
scholar,
friends
and
workers,
dreamers
and
practical
problem.
Solvers
share
your
whole
self
and
your
whole
story
and
find
places
and
people
that
will
hold
and
accept
it
all
and,
above
all
else,
carry
kindness
and
compassion.
L
We
are
none
of
us
in
this
alone,
and
where
can
we
accomplish
all
that
we
should
or
could
on
our
own
kindness
connects
us
with
each
other.
It
allows
us
to
reach
across
cultures,
experiences
and
differences.
No
matter
who
you
are,
you
can
change
someone's
life
through
kindness
and
don't
forget
compassion
in
this
time.
At
this
crossroads
of
our
bigger
society,
we
must
remember
the
importance
of
trying
to
put
our
cell
and
someone
else's
shoes
and
having
compassion
for
what
they
are
going
through.
L
You
must
empathize
and
pause
before,
responding
and
anger
to
something
we
don't
understand.
Kindness
and
compassion
are
light.
You
can
carry
a
loss
to
them
as
you
travel
to
your
next
destination.
These
are
a
few
of
the
things
that
I
have
learned
on
my
journey
at
my
crossroads.
I
know
that
you
will
ultimately
all
make
your
own
lists,
find
your
own
ways
and
share
your
own
wisdom
as
you
go
forward
and
I
can't
wait
to
hear
and
see
what
you
do
next,
you
are
here.
L
E
Vicki
I
really
want
to
thank
you
for
sharing
your
thoughtful
and
compelling
story
and
message
to
all
of
us
via
steadfast
support
to
the
urban
college.
We
had
a
conversation
the
other
day
and
we
talked
about
the
risk.
I
spoke
about
earlier,
we're
introduced,
Makia,
and
she
said
that
she
uses
urban
college
to
other
foundations
and
considers
and
encourages
them
to
take
risks
on
organizations
who
might
be
going
through
some
rough
water.
If
you
will-
and
she
uses
us
as
saying
well
see
it
worked
here,
so
we're
delighted
that
we're
we're
looked
upon
that
way.
B
Every
year,
the
students
of
the
urban
college
tell
me
about
the
fabulous
faculty
that
we
have
here.
I've
been
so
pleased
to
be
able
to
hire
wonderful,
outstanding,
amazing
people
who
have
been
with
us
this
year.
We
have
selected
not
the
teacher
of
the
year,
but
the
Teacher
of
the
decade.
This
person
has
affected
so
many
lives.
People
line
up
at
my
door
to
say
I
want
to
be
in
that
person's
class.
I
heard
that
pet
person
is
fabulous.
B
This
person
has
helped
us
not
just
as
a
faculty
member,
but
also
in
putting
together
the
tenure
self-study
that
we
just
went
through.
It
had
to
have
one
voice.
One
person
who
put
together
all
of
the
thoughts
and
wrote
it
I
was
amazed
working
with
this
to
this
person
who,
as
your
instructor,
I'm
sure
you
have
amazing
days
every
time
you
have
been
in
his
classroom,
so
she
is
outstanding
faculty
member,
the
faculty
member
of
the
decade
is
Kendra.
M
M
M
M
M
We
all
need
to
do
that,
because
days
like
today,
don't
come
around
that
often
completing
what
we
set
out
to
do
is
a
big
deal
moving
ourselves
forward,
as
people
is
a
big
deal,
and
today
you've
done
both
of
those
things
so
celebrate
it,
because
today
is
a
big
deal
and
all
these
people
here,
your
family,
your
friends,
they're
here
because
they're
proud
of
you
they're
here,
because
they
love
you,
but
you
know
me:
I
got
to
tell
you
the
truth.
They're
also
here
to
make
sure
that
you
actually
finish
that
you're
really
done.
M
M
Now
it's
a
door.
We
all
know
and
adore
that
most
of
us
came
through
today.
It's
the
door
to
178,
Rahman,
Street
and
I.
Want
you
I,
truly,
want
you
guys
now
that
you're
here
at
the
end
of
the
rainbow
with
the
pot
of
gold
in
your
sight,
I
want
you
to
close
your
eyes
and
remember
the
first
day
you
stood
outside
that
door.
M
You
stood
outside
178,
Tremont
Street
for
the
first
time.
Can
you
picture
it
because
there
was
such
a
day?
I
don't
know
if
it
was
two
five,
maybe
17
years
ago,
but
there
was
a
day
when
you
stood
outside
that
door
for
the
very
first
time,
and
you
thought
to
yourselves:
has
my
bus
left
yet
cuz?
This
is
crazy,
I'm
going
back
home,
but
you
didn't.
You
didn't
go
home,
you
didn't
let
the
fear
of
what
stood
on
the
other
side
of
that
unopened
door.
M
M
I
bring
that
up
to
remind
you
not
only
of
how
far
you've
come,
but
for
two
other
reasons
as
well.
You
see,
as
you've
heard
today,
there
will
be
other
doors
in
front
of
you
doors
with
unknown.
On
the
other
side,
there
will
be
doors
of
opportunity,
of
promise,
doors
of
question
doors
of
doubt,
doors
to
new
jobs,
new
relationships,
new
schools,
an
urban
college
has
become
a
place
of
great
familiarity
and
great
comfort.
M
To
many
of
you
and
I
bring
this
up
to
remind
you,
because
I
don't
want
you
to
forget
that
there
was
that
day
when
urban
college
was
itself,
the
scary
beast
on
the
other
side
of
an
unopened
door.
So,
as
the
next
doors
present
themselves
to
you,
open
them
and
go
on
through
I
mean
you've
already
done
it
once
you
can,
and
you
will
do
it
again
and
the
second
thing
I
want
you
to
know
about
that
door.
M
The
door
to
178
Tremont
Street
is
that
there
was
a
day
not
so
very
long
ago,
when
some
other
people
stood
in
front
of
that
door
for
the
first
time
and
thought
to
themselves
and
my
bus
loved
it
crazy
I'm
going
home
and
one
of
those
people
was
named
Ken
and
one
of
those
people
was
named.
Allison
James,
Phoenix,
Anna,
Carol,
Darnell,
Bernadette
Delores.
M
We
have
fear
as
well.
Do
I
really
know
what
I'm
doing
what,
if
the
students
don't
like
me
do,
I
have
everything.
I
need,
am
I,
really
ready
to
go.
What,
if
I
don't
have
what
the
students
need,
but
we
all
went
through
that
door
as
well
and
we
all
stayed
because
we
chose
to
and
we
chose
to
stay
for
one
reason
and
one
reason
only
and
that
reason
is
money.
M
We
are
better
educators,
we
are
better
people,
we've
learned
from
all
of
you.
You've
helped
enliven
our
passions,
you've
honored
our
value,
and
in
so
doing
you
have
made
us
all
simply
better,
and
we
thank
you
for
that,
so
never
assume
that
you
are
alone
in
your
fear.
We
all
have
fear,
but
remember,
please,
fear,
is
not
about
dot.
M
That's
right
give
me
that
five
point
I
wanted
to
leave
you
today
with
a
quote
about
fear,
something
that
represents
what
I've
been
talking
about
and
there's
lots
of
famous
quotes
about
fear,
but
they
didn't
really
quite
do
it,
but
I
did
look
and
I
found
one
so
to
you
on
behalf
of
the
Faculty
of
what
is
now
your
alma
mater.
It
has
been
a
real
privilege
and
I
wanted
to
share
these
words
of
wisdom
that
come
from
an
unknown
source
quote,
never
be
afraid
to
try
something
new.
M
B
Every
year
the
graduates
are
given
certain
awards.
One
of
them
is
the
roberto
north
memorial
award
named
for
a
long
time,
faculty
and
staff
member
of
urban
college.
That's
given
to
a
student
who
exemplifies
the
call
of
the
qualities
of
miss
north,
the
things
she
values,
such
as
perseverance,
effort
and
tenacity.
The
students
chosen
to
receive
the
burner
and
Roberto
L
Norse
memorial
reward
is
Paula,
is
O
Toronto
an
Associate
of
Arts
degree
candidate
in
early
childhood
education.
B
The
Jill,
valleys
and
IRR
award
for
excellence
was
established
to
recognize
students
who
emulated
miss
Alexander's
dedication.
Miss
Alexander
was
the
first
director
of
the
urban
college
program
that
John
drew
spoke
about
earlier.
The
2017
recipient
of
the
Jill
Alexander
award
for
excellence
is
Sonja
Naranjo
Scylla.
N
Let
me
read
to
you:
the
paper
I
wrote
and
firing
learning
transforming
life.
That's
exactly
what
urban
college
did.
For
me,
urban
college
is
by
my
learning
in
a
sense
where
I
can
say
is
eye-opening
Irvin
College
as
a
whole
was
with
me
every
step
of
the
way
from
when
I
first
came
to
enroll,
to
where
I
am
here
standing
today
graduating
any
questions
or
concerns
I
had
there
was
always
someone
like
Nancy
or
Anna
to
listen.
N
It
felt
like
family
somewhere
that
I
felt
relaxed
that
even
times
when
I
wanted
to
quit
and
was
feeling
overwhelmed.
There
were
teachers
like
crispy
or
about
to
motivate
me
to
continue.
The
diversity
is
astonishing.
We
had
students
that
were
fresh
out
of
high
school
or
students
that
hadn't
stepped
foot
in
school
for
years
or
students
who
are
new
to
our
country
in
English
versus
second
language
over
all
the
classes
are
set
to
accommodate
to
the
needs
of
each
and
every
student.
N
Although
all
these
great
things
teachers
make
the
coursework
easy
to
understand
fun
and
very
interesting,
and
don't
let
me
forget,
they
set
you
up
for
success.
If
you
don't
understand
the
work,
there
are
these
amazing
people
to
help
tutor
you
through
every
step
of
the
way.
Evarin
college
transformed
my
life
in
a
very
unbelievable
manner.
N
When
I
first
came
to
urban
college,
I
was
unemployed
and
how
many
homeless
will
my
son
and
daughter,
although
I,
was
placed
in
a
shelter
in
Denver's,
mass
I
was
still
able
to
attend
school
due
to
the
manageable
class
schedules,
not
to
mention
how
affordable
the
classes
are,
how
kind
and
caring
and
warm-hearted
all
the
staff
is
now
look
at
me
today
because
of
urban
college.
I
have
a
full-time
job
working
in
the
career
field,
I
enjoy
and
love
having
a
place.
N
I
can
call
home
where
I'm
able
to
provide
these
those
essential
things
for
my
kids
like
food
and
clothes
thanks,
Arvind
College
I
have
a
degree
to
show
my
kids
when
they
get
old,
letting
them
know
that
there
is
nothing
impossible
urban
college.
Thank
you
so
much
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart
for
inspiring
my
learnings
and
forming
my
life,
not
just
mine
for
my
family.
B
Thank
You
Sonia,
the
court
family
scholar
is
presented
by
the
family
of
Robert
cord
founding
president
of
urban
college,
to
an
outstanding
student
who
has
demonstrated
high
academic
performance
and
who
has
exhibited
significant
progress
in
professional
development.
It
is
my
honor
to
present
the
2017
cord
family
scholar
award
to
our
top
student
Marin
Tober,
who
is
graduating
with
the
highest
GPA,
and
we
have
presented
her
with
her
gold
honor
stole
Marin.
A
O
O
Looking
back,
my
experience
at
the
college
has
been
kind
of
a
surprise
to
me
and
I
have
been
I
have
to
thank
a
lot
of
people
for
it.
There's
also
a
lot
to
look
forward
to
as
a
fellow
graduate
I
share
with
you
the
struggles
and
challenges
it
took
to
overcome
to
get
to
this
point,
but
also
I
share
with
you,
the
determination
and
the
tenacity
it
took
to
get
it
done.
I
share
with
you
the
pride
and
joy
of
this
accomplishment
as
your
student
rep.
O
It
is
my
pleasure
to
bring
you
the
most
heartfelt
congratulations
on
behalf
of
all
current
past
and
future
students
at
you
to
be
in
my
position
as
the
work-study
student
coordinator
for
the
last
two
years,
I
found
myself
in
the
situation
of
helping
to
establish
and
run
a
completely
new
program
at
UCD.
It
gave
me
new
invaluable
skills
that
I
can
now
use
in
any
upcoming
career
opportunity.
I
must
say,
I'm
glad
I
chose
to
have
started
my
post
secondary
education
at
UCB.
My
reasons
back
then
may
be
the
same
as
yours.
O
Ucd
is
very
small.
College
seemed
to
be
easy
to
navigate,
not
that
intimidating,
easily
accessible
to
trained
or
even
walking
or
using
my
bike,
and
they
offered
to
feel
I
feel
I
wanted
to
study.
I
did
not
expect
to
graduate
with
two
degrees.
I
did
not
expect
to
graduate
at
the
top
of
my
class.
I
did
not
expect
to
get
an
award
or
have
or
have
studied,
and
work
done.
O
O
O
As
well
as
all
the
people
that
used
to
be
such
as
the
president
Michael
Taylor,
thank
you
even
nosin
Sandra
Cauffman,
thanks
to
UCB
tutors
Lewis,
bell
Jack
Dorothy,
as
well
as
James
for
their
round-the-clock
availability
and
help
thanks
to
Nancy
for
her
advice,
the
books
and
friendly
attitude,
patience
and
compassion.
She
has
for
her
for
us,
the
work
children.
O
Thanks
for
commenting
Etta
for
her
tireless
efforts
to
constantly
try
to
filter
our
needs,
as
used
to
be
students
from
tea
passes,
to
wrap
up
for
restaurant
gift
cards,
movie
tickets,
theater
tickets,
student
stays
at
local
museum
or
even
Christmas
gifts
for
our
kids.
She
is
always
trying
to
make
make
life
easier
for
us
students
who,
as
you
know,
don't
have
it
easy
in
the
first
place.
O
O
O
I'd
like
to
express
my
appreciation
to
all
my
fellow
students
who
have
lent
me
their
ear
patiently
and
listening
to
my
latest
escapade
problem
and
have
helped
me
getting
through
it
all.
Thank
you
now
looking
forward,
although
some
of
us
might
be
a
little
older
than
traditional
graduates
at
other
schools,
we
have
all
learned
new
things
and
we
are
all
graduating.
I.
Ask
you
to
use
that
new
knowledge
that
new
degree
or
certificate
to
make
this
world
a
better
place,
just
like
other
speakers
have
asked
you
to
be
leaders
in
your
community.
O
This
can
happen
one
step
at
a
time,
one
teacher
at
a
time,
one
human
service
worker
at
a
time
once
given
one
class,
one
lesson
or
one
job
at
a
time,
I
tasked
you
to
not
just
do
your
job.
No
I
asked
you
to
make
this
world
more,
just
more
fair,
more
social,
friendlier,
more
welcoming,
more
equitable.
It
is
up
to
you
now.
It's
in
your
hand.
Thank
you.
P
B
Urban
college
is
privileged
to
award
a
full
tuition
scholarship
to
Endicott
College
in
Boston
to
a
student
who
is
pursuing
a
baccalaureate
degree.
Dr.
Richard
Wylie,
the
president
of
Endicott
College
and
former
chairman
of
the
board
of
urban
College
of
urban
colleges,
trustees
and
former
chairman
in
established
the
Robert
chord
scholarship
to
Endicott,
to
enable
UCD
graduates
to
complete
their
bachelor's
degree
at
Endicott.
Boston,
we're
pleased
to
present
the
2017
Robyn
M
cord
scholarship
to
Endicott
College
to
Nora
Aurora.
Q
Q
I
was
one
of
the
few
lucky
girls
in
my
town
to
have
open-minded
parents
who
value
education
and
who
have
supported
and
approved
that
I
attend
college
in
meknes,
a
city
which
is
approximately
200
miles
away
from
my
hometown
to
study,
English
literature,
life
happens
and
really
the
vision
of
my
future,
fortunately
moved
to
the
United.
States
started
a
family
and
stayed
at
home
to
take
care
of
my
children.
Since
my
youngest
child
begins.
Good
I
have
been
volunteering
as
future
assistant
at
the
same
school,
where
my
kids
had
kids
attend,
attended
their
pre-k
program.
Q
I
realized
how
much
I
love
helping
children
and
watching
them
learn
new
things.
The
idea
grew
heavy
on
me
and
with
my
husband's
encouragement.
That's
when
I
decided
to
enroll
to
college,
taking
the
step
to
attend
urban
college
of
Boston
was
basically
the
blessing
I.
Never
would
have
believed
could
happen
to
me
to
recapture
my
childhood
dream.
It
was
the
right
time
to
start
working
on
my
dream,
and
urban
college
made
me
feel
wasn't
alone
on
my
journey,
urban
college
had
provided
all
the
right
tools
for
me
to
succeed.
Q
Q
Wonderful
people
from
teachers,
staff
student
to
tutors
my
special
thanks
to
the
vice
president
of
academic
affairs,
mr.
snazzy
Daniel
for
her
encouragement,
guidance
and
the
most
important
C
for
believing
in
me
all
these
years.
I
am
also
grateful
for
having
a
such
wonderful,
supportive
husband
who,
who
has
put
in
so
many
hours,
taking
care
of
our
children
while
I
am
away
or
busy
with
my
homework.
Q
I
wouldn't
have
done
it
if
it
wasn't
for
him,
since
my
first
day
at
earth
at
the
college,
I
knew
that
studying
was
not
going
to
be
easy,
but
definitely
rewarding
succeeding
at
urban
college
that
excites
dedication,
passion,
empowerment,
vision
and
love
of
what
you
do
sacrifice
has
to
be
made,
but
the
recommence
reserve,
their
competences
will
be
fulfilled.
I
am
glad
that
my
two
children
can
see
me
as
a
role
model
and
what
education
can
be
into
their
life.
Q
I
hope
to
be
an
encouragement
for
others
to
achieve
their
goals,
not
thought
about
themselves
and
believe
they
can
prosper.
I
am
finally
close
to
completing
my
Associate
of
Arts
degree.
In
early
childhood,
education,
urban
college
of
Boston
has
changed
my
life
in
so
many
ways.
It
empowered
me
and
give
me
the
confidence
I
needed
to
join
the
work
force.
I
am
proudly
declared
that
I
already
have
two
job
offers
lined
up
as
a
teacher
option
to
choose
from
I
am
finally
asked
you.
Q
B
On
April
28
2014
urban
college
lost
an
outstanding
alum
Maurice
Tony
Williams,
his
in
Dimity,
indomitable
spirit
and
kind.
Loving
ways
will
be
memorialized
in
an
award
presented
each
year
at
commencement
to
a
student
who
exemplifies
Tony's
determination
not
to
let
his
disability
stand
in
his
way.
This
year's
winner
is
our
Delia
Leigh
Hinton.
B
B
E
Accordance
with
the
authority
conferred
by
the
messages
Board
of
Higher
Education,
the
urban
College
of
Boston,
a
two-year
college
here
by
awaz
degrees,
Associates
of
Arts
to
those
candidates
where
the
judgment
of
the
college
have
successfully
met
all
the
requirements
for
completion.
Congratulations.
P
Graduates,
many
of
you
will
be
receiving
more
than
one
certificate
of
achievement
or
a
diploma.
However,
you
will
come
forward
only
once
based
on
the
highest
award
earned
graduates.
Please
remain
seated
until
the
usher
asks
that
your
row
stand
and
come
forward.
Will
the
certificate
of
achievement?
Candidates
for
general
studies,
case
management
and
Human
Service
administration
stand
and
come
forward.
P
B
R
We'll
be
certificate
of
achievement
recipients
in
early
childhood
education.
Please
stand
in
come
forward.
Mr.
president,
it
is
my
pleasure
in
my
placing
obligation
to
present
to
you
individual
candidates
for
presentation
of
the
certificate
of
achievement
in
early
childhood
education,
Julio
Alvarez.
B
S
S
B
B
Yeah
Phoenix
this
year
will,
let
me
read
this:
will
the
recipients
of
the
Associate
of
Arts
degree
in
early
childhood
education?
Please
come
forward!
Mr.
president,
it's
my
pleasant
obligation
to
present
to
you
individual
candidates,
the
presentation
of
the
Associate
of
Arts
degree
in
early
childhood
education.
T
B
S
S
H
S
E
E
It
is
indeed
my
pleasure
now
to
introduce
to
you
the
mayor
of
Boston,
mayor
Walsh
is
approaching
his
20th
year
as
an
elected
of
public
official.
He
served
16
years
in
the
Massachusetts
House
representatives
representing
the
13th
Suffolk
District,
which
ranks
as
one
of
the
most
diverse
in
the
Commonwealth.
He
was
sworn
in
as
the
54th
mayor
of
Boston
three
and
a
half
years
ago.
E
E
One
of
the
main
skills
that
has
had
a
significant
impact
on
the
quality
of
life
in
Boston
is
his
ability
to
build
bridges.
Let
me
point
out
a
few
of
them.
The
mayor
has
built
bridges
between
the
police
in
the
youth
of
our
city
between
the
newest,
the
new
and
the
current
residents
of
Boston
between
the
racial
and
economic
divide
of
our
city
in
between
developers
and
the
needs
of
our
neighborhoods.
E
E
E
Robert
chord
urban
colleges,
creator
and
first
president
dreamed
one
day
that
urban
college
would
have
its
own
campus.
Mr.
cord,
like
the
mayor,
devoted
his
life
to
addressing
the
tough
complex
issues
facing
Boston's
families.
So
today,
at
our
22nd
commencement
of
the
college,
mr.
cord
built,
the
urban
college
community,
would
like
to
present
the
mayor
with
the
Robert
M
cord
leadership
medal
for
his
extraordinary
public
service
in
precent
fast
support
for
urban
college.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
it
is
my
honor
to
join
mrs.
U
Let
me
first
of
all
I
am
so
moved
and
honored
that
I
don't
really
know
what
to
say:
dawna
court.
Thank
you
very
much,
president
michael
taylor,
Thank
You,
chairman
Peter
f.
Thank
you,
John
drew
of
ABCD.
Thank
you
for
all
for
this
incredible
and
I
new
blog
chord,
I
was
a
young
state
representative
and
I
knew
what
he
meant
and
what
he
means
to
our
city,
so
I'm
honored
today
today
is
not
about
me,
though
it
is
about
you.
The
graduates,
congratulations
to
the
class
of
2017.
U
Michael
Taylor
mentioned
it.
The
story
of
its
creation
by
Bob
cord
also
means
a
lot
to
our
city
in
our
country.
I
came
to
this
graduation
a
couple
years
ago
and
I
was
deeply
moved
urban
college's
vision,
encouraged
that
it
took
back.
Then
the
leaders
in
higher
education
didn't
think
low-income
students
need
a
college
that
was
the
feel
for
it
or
deserve
college
in
a
lot
of
ways.
People
a
lot
of
people
thought
differently
in
that,
and
especially
a
personally
Robert
chord,
but
not
everyone
knows
how
to
make
college
work
for
those
who
face
barriers.
U
Urban
college
not
only
had
a
vision
under
bob
cord,
it
created
a
reality
and
it's
on
and
it
has
updated
its
reality
to
fit
the
needs
of
students,
lives
and
more
lives
today.
I
know
how
necessary
it
can
be.
As
I
mentioned
you,
my
own
education
was
interrupted,
I
started
in
college
and
I
was
supposed
to,
but
I
dropped
out.
My
own
story
was
struggle.
I
dropped
out
for
a
lot
of
different
reasons
and
when
I
dropped
out
things
happened,
I
had
to
figure
out
my
pathway
forward,
like
many
of
you.
U
I
got
help
like
many
of
you
and
people
into
my
life
and
we're
inspirational
to
me,
but
nothing
came
easy
and
the
way
that
you
took
it
in
the
way
I
took
it
was
a
day
at
a
time,
and
people
don't
understand
that
sometimes,
but
it's
a
day
at
a
time,
it's
a
class
at
a
time.
It's
a
paper
at
a
time,
it's
a
test
at
a
time.
It's
all
of
that
things
so
again,
I
want
to
congratulate
all
of
you.
I
want
to
congratulate
all
of
you
for
this
great
success.
U
I
am
truly
honored
and
moved
to
get
this
recognition
today.
You
have
no
idea
that
somebody's
been
around
for
so
long,
but
what
even
makes
it
more
exciting
to
me
is
to
watch
all
your
faces.
Congratulations
be
proud
of
your
accomplishments.
You
should
be
to
the
families
out
there.
I
know
we
heard
you
our
prodigy
of
these
great
people
in
their
accomplishments,
but
again
how
about
a
nice
round
of
applause
for
the
class
of
2017.
E
The
final
Awad
will
have
this
afternoon
is
named
after
the
mayor's
parents,
John
and
Mary
Walsh
the
scholarship
we
began
in
2015,
and
it
was
to
a
graduate
of
urban
college
who,
like
the
son,
Martin
Walsh,
mayor,
Boston
sulfur's
he
gave
to
the
community.
This
year's
winner
is
an
outstanding
student,
parent
and
advocate
for
the
elderly
is
into
you,
Cherie
Walker,.
U
Going
to
be
real,
quick
because
I'm
I
know
that
it's
me
it's
sherry
and
it's
holding
you
from
food
and
body.
So,
first
of
all,
I
want
to
thank
our
bean
College
for
creating
this
the
scholarship
and
the
honor.
My
parents
name.
My
parents
were
immigrants,
as
we
hear
there's
a
lot
of
conversation
on
immigrants
today
in
America
and
in
some
cases
it's
not
a
good
conversation.
But
in
my
house
it
is
a
good
conversation
because
I'm
proud
that
my
parents
are
immigrants
from
another
country
that
are
here
in
United,
States.
U
This
young
woman
behind
me
received
her
GED
at
the
Haitian
multi
multi
cultural
center
in
Dorchester,
back
in
December
of
2013.
At
a
time,
college
was
way
beyond
her
reach.
Oh,
she
wasn't
thinking
about
college,
but
at
the
request
of
a
member
of
the
central
staff,
she
attended
a
college
fair.
This
she
met
the
Dean
of
Students,
Carmen
pietÃ
and
enrolled
with
avanthi,
see
more
of
the
urban
College
of
Boston
with
their
encouragement
cherry
enrolled
in
the
urban
college.
In
the
spring
of
2010
for
2014
semester.
She
under
certificate,
the
Human
Services
Administration.
U
U
She's
getting
this
while
raising
her
son,
her
teenage
son,
I'm
sure
he's
here.
Teenage
boys
and
teenage
girls
can
be
difficult,
we'll
just
leave
it
at
that,
but
the
but
what's
what's
also
she's,
been
caring
for
her
son's
grandmother
and
lost
her
son
lost
his
father
tragically
in
2008.
This
experience
has
motivated
her
to
pursue
a
Bachelor
degree
in
Human
Services
at
UMass
Boston,
so
she
become
an
advocate
for
the
elderly.
U
When
asked
why
she
went
back
to
get
a
GED
and
then
her
associate's
degree,
this
is
what
she
said:
I
want
to
be
a
role
model
for
my
son.
I
wanted
to
know
that
I
could
do
it
and
then
he
could
do
it
as
well.
It's
my
family's
honor
to
present
Geri
with
the
John
and
Mary
Walsh
scholarship
to
sherry
of
Dorchester.
V
V
Want
to
thank
common,
the
most
cuz,
she
really
helped
me
out
a
whole
lot.
Cuz
I
didn't
even
think.
I
was
even
gonna,
make
hair
last
semester,
so
I
really
appreciated
her
for
everything
she
did
for
me
and
I
appreciate
every
college.
You
know
my
second
family
I
love
coming
here
every
day
when
I
come
I,
don't
have
a
speech,
but
thank
you,
I
know.
That's
right.
We
did
it.
C
We're
almost
there
guys,
Nizar,
head,
loving,
godfather
and
speaker,
will
bless
their
feet
that
they
may
go
where
you
want
them
to
go
left
their
hands
that
they
can't
accomplish.
Your
will
father
grant
them
the
courage
of
the
strong,
the
wisdom
of
the
age
and
the
face
that
doesn't
shrink
with
challenge.
God
bless.
You
guys,
amen.
E
First
want
to
say
to
all
of
you:
don't
stop
celebrating
the
minute
you
walk
out
this
door.
The
door
that
can
refer
to
a
few
minutes
ago
continue
to
celebrate
only
for
a
day
for
a
week
for
a
month
continue
to
celebrate
for
the
rest
of
your
lives,
because
it
said
in
my
message
to
you
earlier
when
you'll
think
about
this
particular
celebration.
You'll
get
that
courage,
as
Ken
referred
to
to
open
up
the
next
door.
E
I
want
to
thank
all
of
the
people
who
helped
us
with
today's
event
want
to
thank
all
the
volunteers
and
the
ushers
I
want
to
thank
the
Boston
Police
Department
for
the
wonderful
escort
I
want
to
date,
the
the
Emerson
College
Police
for
their
assistance
as
well
and
for
the
MS
college
community
for
allowing
us
to
use
this
wonderful,
wonderful
setting
for
your
commencement
as
you
leave
today.
I
would
ask
one
question
that
one
recommendation,
and
that
is,
as
you
get
to
the
door,
it's
a
very
small
and
narrow
corridor
out
there.
E
So
when
you
get
to
the
door
to
leave
just
move
as
swiftly
as
you
can,
for
the
sake
of
the
people
behind
you
and
we're
going
to
be
marching
out
and
also
as
the
graduates
will
follow
us
as
the
people
on
the
podium
will
leave
and
then
I
would
ask
all
the
rest
of
you
to
leave
there
after
I
mean
check
with
Nancy
to
make
sure
I
haven't
forgotten
anything
else,
and
we
can
move
on
from
there
by
doing
okay,
we're
doing
all
right
again.
I,
it's
been
a
wonderful
wonderful
celebration.