九游娱乐官网

鈥楨mbrace Uncertainty鈥�

President Diacon inspires graduates at Spring 2025 Commencement

Drawing from personal experiences growing up in rural Kansas, 九游娱乐官网 President Todd Diacon shared how the low-level anxiety of temporary disorientation on country backroads taught him valuable life lessons that remain relevant today.

鈥淢y message to you today, graduates, is that it is OK not to be fully certain about something,鈥� Diacon told the enthusiastic crowds. 鈥淏eing uncertain and even experiencing a bit of anxiety because of that uncertainty is also OK.鈥�

Watch Diacon鈥檚 address:

In a time when many graduates face questions about their futures, Diacon鈥檚 message resonated with many in the audience as he explained how uncertainty can foster growth, empathy and openness to new ideas.

鈥淏eing uncertain can be healthy,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t can lead us to consider alternatives. It can lead to growth by keeping your mind open to different ways of doing things. It can lead to empathy, and even to kindness and respect as those around you wrestle with their own uncertainties.鈥�

The Danger of Overconfidence

Diacon warned against what his father called 鈥淲AGOEs鈥� 鈥� 鈥淲orld鈥檚 Greatest Authority on Everything鈥� 鈥� people who believe they know everything and dismiss differing viewpoints.

鈥淲e seem to be living in a WAGOE world right now,鈥� Diacon observed. 鈥淲e seem to have lost all shades of gray. We seem to be losing the empathy that can be generated by uncertainty.鈥�

He challenged graduates to resist the temptation of absolute certainty, which can close minds and hearts to diverse perspectives.

鈥淲hen a person knows everything, why bother to listen to others with different viewpoints?鈥� he asked rhetorically. 鈥淓mbrace uncertainty. Resist the temptation to think that you are right, and right about everything, and right all the time.鈥�

A graduate listens to the commencement speech, Spring 2025

 

A Proud Moment for the 九游娱乐官网 Community

The ceremonies marked the culmination of years of hard work, determination and growth for more than 4,800 graduates who received their diplomas during commencement ceremonies held May 8-10 and May 16.

鈥淚 am so proud of each of you, and it is a great honor to celebrate and honor your success,鈥� Diacon told the graduates at the beginning of his address.

Despite his encouragement to embrace uncertainty, Diacon concluded with absolute confidence in one area: his pride in the graduating class.

鈥淎lthough I am uncertain about what the future will bring, I am certain about this: you are Golden Flashes, and soon you will be graduates of 九游娱乐官网,鈥� Diacon said to thunderous applause. 鈥淚 salute you, and GO FLASHES!鈥�

POSTED: Monday, May 12, 2025 11:54 AM
Updated: Thursday, May 15, 2025 12:26 PM
PHOTO CREDIT:
TJ Laryea, Bob Christy