Thank you, President Schmoke, for that kind introduction. I have admired your work from afar. Your commitment to this city is admirable, and your record of working for your community is impressive. We all can learn from your efforts to make Baltimore “the City that Reads” and from your work to empower parents, particularly those parents of inner-city students. Thank you, President Schmoke, for your clear and courageous leadership.
And thank you for this gracious invitation to be with members of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland, the University of Baltimore’s board members, its faculty, and, most importantly all of you — its proud graduates.
As I prepared to be with you today, I reflected on my own graduation. Sitting there that day, I never would have imagined one day I’d hold the title of Secretary or of commencement speaker. My public speaking class was not my favorite. And I must say, I’m not always very comfortable being on stage like this.
But there is a title that I’m much more comfortable with: and that is “mom.”
From the moment my first child was born, I knew there would be no greater vocation than to be a parent. I know many – if not, all – parents in this room feel the very same way.
Graduates, even though we are here today to celebrate you and your accomplishments, there are others due some recognition, as well. Your parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers – and others who propelled and cheered your success – all walked side-by-side with you as you pursued your education here at UB. They supported you, coached you, tutored you and loved you.
