Page 0: Page 1: Good afternoon friends, family, faculty, and fellow graduates of 2010. My name is Brian Hodges and let me first say a big thank you to all of my peers in the graduate division who voted me to be the class speaker. At times, I thought this day would never come. I think we all deserve a pat on the back for what we’ve accomplished by sticking to our goal of higher education. Let’s give ourselves a round of applause. (pause) I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you over the years and for those I haven’t, please be sure to say hello if or when our paths cross in the future. Maine is what we often refer to as a big, small state. I am positive many of you relate to the situation of being in a social or Page 2: business environment and before you know it, the person you’re talking to knows someone that you too are familiar with. This is one of the many treasures of Maine. We are small in population yet big in diversity. We have the option of spending time in a city like Portland, ranked as the most livable city in the United States by Forbes, or we can retreat to an area I hail from such as western Maine where the recreational and arts culture thrives. Yet, wherever we go, it is not uncommon to meet someone who knows someone that we ourselves know. Why is this true? Yes, part of it is our size, but a significant part of it is the nature of those who call Maine home. Mainers, whether originally from here or those who Page 3: have moved here, are quite simply friendly and down to earth people. We like to help our fellow neighbor and make them feel welcome. This reminds me of someone that so many of us today hold near and dear to our hearts as we graduate from this fine institution. And that person is Sue Pooler, Assistant Dean of Thomas College’s graduate and continuing education division. I recall my first experience with Thomas College was Sue Pooler and she was the reason I decided to return to school and attain my MBA. I could have attended other educational institutions but I chose Thomas College. Why? Yes, it was convenient and yes I appreciated the hybrid and online courses being Page 4: offered. But most of all, I immediately felt welcome because of Sue. I’d like to take this opportunity and ask all of you to give a round of applause for her dedication and service to Thomas College. (pause) Speaking of returning to school, I know I am not alone in that statement. Many of you are in the same boat as me. We obtained our Bachelor’s degree earlier in our lives….some of us earlier than others but no matter what our age, we are here today to stand proud and receive that degree that we’ve worked so tirelessly for over the years. We’ve all endured those late night papers, early morning studies, team assignments that went on and on, and let’s not forget the seemingly endless postings to Page 5: Blackboard and Moodle. While I am not alone in feeling thankful that graduation is here, I do want to suggest to all of you receiving a Bachelor’s degree today that you strongly consider continuing on for your Master’s. Yes, I know, this is where you moan and groan and say to yourself or out loud “are you kidding?” But yes, do consider it. I received my Bachelor’s degree in 1991 and I had intended to immediately continue with plans to receive my MBA. I was accepted into graduate school and everything was ready to go. At the same time, I was offered employment with the State of Maine which brought me to the position I hold today as a Deputy Commissioner. But I had to make a decision. Do I Page 6: continue on and rack up more school loans or do I start my career so I can begin paying off my debt with a plan to take classes part time. Well, 25 years later and I still hadn’t started that plan of part time school and full time work. Had I known then what I know now, I would have definitely pursued my Master’s. Would my career have taken a different path? Yes, it’s possible but I would have held that MBA for a much longer duration and undoubtedly been able to utilize it in my career. So if I may impart any wisdom to those of you obtaining a Bachelor’s degree today, continue on for your Master’s sooner vs. later. This institution, Thomas College, has a terrific faculty and reputation. Don’t Page 7: wait 25 years like I did. Instead, think of Nike…and “just do it”. I do want to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to not only my partner Geoff but others who have supported me along the way. My friend and boss Thaxter Trafton and his wife Linda are here today as is my friend Mark and I want to thank them for the support and encouragement they have provided to me. My partner’s parents, Richard and Yvonne are here and have always been willing to remind me that perseverance will reap great rewards. But I really want to thank my partner Geoff and my family who has come today…my mom Rose and my sister Barb. As many of you who are Page 8: graduating can probably relate to, family is so important when pursuing higher education. How many times have you come home late and been so tired that you just want to “veg out” in front of the TV or even go straight to bed? How many of you have had to eat and run without spending quality time with those at home? How many of you have had to cut phone conversations short or not reply to emails because the next paper is due for class? I have lost track with the number of times this happened to me. So let me take this opportunity to say thank you to Geoff and my family for putting up with my abruptness and late nights and their endless patience. In particular, I want to also say thank you Page 9: to my Mom, my biggest cheerleader. Last September, we lost my father to cancer. My mom and family have had difficulty with this loss and while it would have been easier to withdraw from school in order to provide greater emotional support, they instead pushed me to continue on. Mom knew that Dad too would have wanted that. So as I stand here today in front of all of you, I will also look up, knowing that my father is watching with his traditional subdued smile yet internally beaming with pride. Last night, I received a wonderful present from my mom which I wanted to share with you today. It’s a piece of engraved marble. One side congratulates Page 10: me and has my name. The other side has a terrific saying by Karl Ravn which I hope you will find as inspiring as I did. “ To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible. To be as much as we can be, we must dream of being more.” In closing, please take a moment and give your mom, your dad, your family, your kids, your significant others, friends and family a big hug and a big thank you. Let them know how much your appreciate their unconditional support over these years of schooling. And for those of you here today in support of a graduate, please join me in saying congratulations. Thank you and best wishes, one and all! Page 11: