World renowned musician, conductor, accompanist, and NOC alumnus Gerald Steichen spoke to Northern Oklahoma College graduates Saturday in the 113th Annual Commencement Exercises at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.
He congratulated the graduates on their “special day.”
“Today marks an enormous achievement for each one of you,” Steichen said. “You set a goal - you did the work - you showed up - you studied - you succeeded. And this day you join an elite group as a college graduate. And I congratulate you. It is a Special Day.”
“Today we celebrate the culmination of years of hard work, and planning,” Steichen told the graduates. “You set goals which you have achieved, you are about to cross this stage and be recognized for a remarkable set of achievements. Today is great day. And tomorrow you’re going to wake up - and you get to decide - Who do I choose to be?”
“Only you can answer that question,” Steichen continued. “Northern was a great place for me to ask questions - to find my passion for music, to be grateful for my time here, and to begin to discover who I wanted to be every day.”
In a lighthearted moment, Steichen asked students to take out their cell phones and take a selfie.
“You will never look better than you do right now,” he joked.
He then asked the graduates to squeeze together so he could take a photo of the graduates.
He then asked the graduates to take a photo of him saying, “Two weeks from now someone will ask you who was your graduation speaker and you will have no idea.”
Finally, he reminded graduates they did not do this by themselves.
“The people who helped us most are seated in those stands around you - here to support you, to celebrate with you - they pushed you, they got you up in the morning, maybe they helped pay tuition, or gas bills, or baby sat,” he said. “Or maybe they were simply present. Think of the one person who is most responsible for your success today. Their number is in your phone: Write them two words: Thank you. Be grateful.”
Steichen then sang, Some Days by James Baldwin/Steve Marzullo.
The NOC Concert Band also played an Armed Forces Salute and the NOC College Choir and Concert Band performed Words Like Freedom, Words by Langston Hughes, music by Evan Mack.
The degrees were conferred and diplomas presented by NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans.
At Foster-Piper ...
