2010 Graduation Address

Friday June 18, 2010
By Dean Marie Dolla, Academic Dean

WELCOME AND GOOD MORNING. Please be seated.

Members of the Board of Trustees, President Callahan, Vice President Callahan, honored graduates, guests, faculty, and staff.

Each year I like to begin graduation by giving the audience an idea of the kind of student who passes through Plaza’s doors. It’s hard to sum up a Plaza student in a single description, and it’s hard to select those that I talk about. Each student who comes to Plaza is as special as the one you will hear about today, and I wish I could tell all of their stories. This individual would probably consider himself ordinary, but I consider him extraordinary for his kindness, compassion, courage, perseverance, and determination. He learned to manage his challenges in order to succeed. I am proud to tell you about his journey:

The son of an immigrant family, this graduate relocated from the Philippines in 1994 and moved to Santa Barbara, California. In 1998, he and his family moved to Flushing, New York. Once in New York, he decided to go to college. He attended LaGuardia and Hunter colleges, but did not continue his studies in either college.

In 2000, his mom had a stroke, and she was admitted to Elmhurst Medical Center. He spent a good deal of time in the hospital while she was healing and decided to volunteer his time while she was undergoing therapy. He liked it so much that he contemplated a medical career. He continued to volunteer in the rehabilitation department, so that he could personally care for his mom who became a long-time patient.

In August 2007, his mom had a second stroke and a brain hemorrhage, which brought her back to Elmhurst Medical Center. Already a volunteer, he was able to care for her, and when she needed surgery due to another stroke in the same year, he was able to transfer to surgery to be close to his mom. His mom passed in 2007. After that experience, he knew he wanted to be in the medical field; in fact, his mom’s final words were, “Son, continue to take care of people because if you do this you will always see my face through them.” This graduate applied to Plaza College in the fall of 2007 and started the Medical Assisting Program in winter 2008.

When I asked this graduate to describe what Plaza has meant to him, he told me that the one word that comes to mind is “family.” There is a sense of family at Plaza that you don’t feel elsewhere. Plaza and its wonderful faculty and staff have taught him the importance of being responsible, compassionate, and caring. He wanted me to let all you folks know that this day is for his mom—Adelina—“I hope that she is really proud of me and is smiling today. I love you.”

As this graduate told his story, I could feel the goodness that is inside of him. His story touched my heart in a very special way. His dedication to family and to the sick, along with his compassion, warmth, gentleness, and kindness are gifts that he will give to all folks for whom he will care. This graduate sits before me, having earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.39 and is a graduate of the Medical Assisting program. He is also enrolled in our BBA program, Patient Information Management.
Segundo Sumido Jr. Please stand to be recognized.

Webster’s definition of the word experience is “anything or everything observed or lived through and knowledge or skill resulting from it.”

We know experiences can have an impact on us. They can be delightful but they can also be hurtful and, in some instances, tragic. Experiences can definitely alter our lives for good or bad, create harmony, or cause imbalance and chaos, make us stronger or weaker. What we do, how we respond to lessons taught by our experiences can open or close doors—create opportunities or obstacles—make us grow or become stagnate.

Opportunities are defined as a combination of favorable circumstances. I ask that you turn your experiences into opportunities, just as Mr. Sumido has. Despite his sadness and loss, Mr. Sumido achieved a College education, has experienced success, and has opened many doors, which will lead to more opportunities. He knows what it takes to experience the good and the bad—but has chosen to take the lessons learned and has turned the experiences into opportunities. You need to do the same.

When you become discouraged, let loved ones pick you up and support you. Be patient with yourself and listen to your inner voice. That will tell you when you are ready to push forward. Experiences change our situations, and we have to adjust and learn to live life in new ways. Don’t hide from the challenges—they make us strong.

Open your hearts and your minds to the opportunities ahead of you, and you will reach heights you have never imagined. I am so happy to have known all of you, and I am so very proud of your achievements.

Congratulations and good luck!