Shabrelle Pollock | May 18, 2011
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| Photo by Ryan Dorgan |
| Shabrelle Pollock addressed the afternoon commencement ceremony, which included graduating journalism students. |
My first time on a plane—and as luck would have it, later, jumping out of one—was here at Indiana University. I believe this is an excellent metaphor to describe the uniqueness of my time in school. For all intents and purposes, I dove into life on this campus and never looked back.
I learned that fearlessness was a good trait to have in life.
My time here at IU has been nothing short of amazing. But as I stand before you in reflection this afternoon, I’m confident that if given the chance, each and every one of you could stand at this podium alongside me and share something about your years here that not only impacted your life for the better, but also shaped you into the scholars you are today. We share this fact because it lies at the heart of something bigger than all of us: the Hoosier experience.
It is believed that with each place you visit in life, you leave traces of yourself. Your essence. Your legacy. That is true of our time at Indiana University. For nearly two centuries, this institution has nurtured budding intellects and fostered the futures of some of the world’s most gifted individuals. In exchange for this wisdom, these students have given this campus heart, molding the Hoosier experience into all that it is today.
The Hoosier experience is many things. It is the time we spent right here in Assembly Hall fanatically representing the Hoosier Nation. It is the sense of awe inspired while dancing barefoot on a warm spring night in the Showalter Fountain. It is the sleep lost poring over notes in Wells Library and the hours spent regaining it napping on couches in the Union. It is those hesitant footsteps that became more confident strides with each year that we passed through the Sample Gates.
The Hoosier experience is those feelings to which we cannot ascribe adequate words but rather cherish the events in our memory, grateful for the undeniable impact they’ve had on our lives.
Here at IU, we are all fearless and have learned to be so. This lesson in fearlessness is one that we each learned at some point during our time in Bloomington. For some of us, it came in the form of a big project. For others, a seemingly impossible exam. And for countless more, it was a speech before your class (though hopefully not one as large as this.) Whatever the challenges that were presented, sitting here today is evidence that you overcame them, and by doing so demonstrated your ability to be fearless. The truth is, we are all better for having been here, but the university is better for having had us. We are right now, and forever, a part of the extraordinary legacy that is Indiana University.
No experience at this university reinforced the need to be fearless more than the once-in-a-lifetime chance I had to go skydiving while working as a resident assistant at Briscoe. I say “once-in-a-lifetime” because having made it safely back down, I feel strongly that I will only do that once in my lifetime. But it was an exhilarating experience all the same.
When the plane takes off, initially you focus only on the ride. I like to think that this time loosely represents our time here at IU. As each of you progressed through the years engrossed in your respective majors, your plane flew a little higher. Freshman year uncertainties became junior year actions. Sophomore year preparation became senior year plans. Through it all, the goal was ultimately graduation. Through it all, the goal was, inevitably, to jump.
As I looked down from the edge of the plane, I hesitated, not sure I was ready. Thankfully, I was jumping in tandem and that, or he, gave me the push that I needed to dive in headfirst. Though the next step towards your future may seem daunting, I pray that you realize you’re not alone. The love of your family and friends and the support of your soon to be fellow alumni are life’s invisible harnesses keeping you securely in tandem with them. It’s your time to take the leap, yes. But take comfort in the fact that you’re not going it alone.
And so, as I stand before you today, my fellow graduates of the class of 2011, I congratulate you. You have reached the necessary altitude to jump, and I encourage you to do so fearlessly. You’ve put in the time and effort. You can rest assured that an Indiana parachute is as secure as they come. Apply what you’ve learned and press forward with confidence.
Dive in fearlessly and don’t look back.
Thank you.
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