Motivational Graduation Speech for High School and College Graduates

 Your Graduation Inspires Me

When I participate in graduation ceremonies, I often imagine delivering my own speech to the graduates, as if I were the commencement speaker:

Good morning chancellor, president, deans, faculty members, staff, students, friends, and family members.  And to the graduates:
Every one of you is special.
Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires ME - because… 
Every one of you has a story to tell.
I just wish I had the time to hear every one of them, and to be there as your career paths unfold.

You have already accomplished a huge milestone on that journey.  The biggest step though was just showing up.  That’s it.  The secret most people don’t get until it’s too late.  Just showing up as young freshmen was a threshold event.  Trying something which may be hard for the first time.  Experiencing new things, even if it’s unknown whether the objective is attainable.

To me, the greatest barriers to success, however you define that, are a fear of the unknown, a fear of change, and a fear of failure.  But you need a game plan, and hopefully you can lean a little on what you learned in school to figure out that route.  No matter what you do in life, you always will have your education.

I hope you made some lifelong friends here.  Frankly, I learned more about life from my peers than from my professors.  And I hope you got more than knowledge from your profs because you can get that from a book.  I’m hoping you gained insight on whatever subject, and then stamped your own original perspective on how to resolve issues and solve problems.

Many times the things you do won’t work.  And you will fail at some things you try.  That’s just a fact of life.  Abraham Lincoln once said:  “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” 

And you will make mistakes.  A lot of them!  Both in your careers and your lives.  That’s just another fact of life.  But that’s okay.  The trick is figuring out how to deal with setbacks.  Your family and friends will always be there for you.  And your education will continually serve as a foundation to get you back on track.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “We are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of our own minds.”  Graduates, each of you must unlock your mind and blaze a path built on reason and purpose.  Life is too short to spend it bouncing around like a random and aimless ball in a game of Pong.®  And whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years young, it is never too late to test the boundaries of your dreams. 

Finally, I want all of you gathered in front of me to please lose the title of “former” student, because you will be my students for many years to come.  And I expect in return that I can become your student, as I learn about your professional successes, trials, and tribulations.

Every one of you is special.
Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires me – because...
Every one of you has a story to tell.

What will your next journey be?

Excerpt from 99 Motivators for College Success

Another Kind Review of Innovative College Teaching

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to reinject enthusiasm and fun into courses

Verified Purchase

As a Ph.D. researcher and instructor (in many classes, labs, work, and conferences) I really appreciate what’s here in abundance: a true enthusiasm for not just exciting students but engaging them in their own instruction. This isn’t the easiest way to teach. It’s much easier to pull out a long-written lecture, lecture it, give tests, and walk away to repeat boringly until retirement. But the unique examples and nuggets of keen experience offered here make teaching both more fun and more effective, for both the student and the instructor. I particularly liked the parts that dealt with the following topics: using abstract cartoons; unexpected icebreakers; extra credit projects that can’t be accepted; why not to use PowerPoint; how to do open-note exams; and the “last bits of wisdom” which are often profound. For anyone who is going to take on the responsibilities and duties of an instructor, this short book is a “must read.” Highly recommended!

Another Kind Amazon Review of Innovative College Teaching Book

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and informative pedagogy book

Although aimed at educators looking for “outside-of-the-box ideas” teaching college students, parents who want to inspire their children to enjoy higher education can benefit from it as well. As Perry Binder stated “Most of the books on college teaching are loaded with advice that tells you how to teach (Be passionate; Be flexible; Be yourself!), rather than show you by example how to teach.”

This book is presented in two parts: innovative teaching techniques and innovative master teachers. First, Binder (a licensed attorney who teaches law and business ethics to college students) discussed his teaching philosophy, online classes, artificial intelligence, exam prep, student engagement, and his college professor journey. Next he interviewed thirteen professors in the Education, Entrepreneurship, Law, Science, Technical Education, and Business departments.

The Appendix has useful anecdotes, pedagogy information, and sample classroom materials. The “Using AI to Develop Classroom Modules” highlights how the author uses his teaching method on emerging technologies.

 

Finishing My 24th Year at GSU

 

As students requested, I changed my Twitter profile pic to our mascot Pounce and me for the last week of class in Legal & Ethical Environment of Business.

Student Presentations on AI

Wrapping up the semester in Internet Law with presentations on how AI is changing various professions for the better and worse.

Who's Reading Innovative College Teaching?

 

Kae is!

A Kind International Review: Innovative College Teaching

 

lamp678

5.0 out of 5 stars An amusing and engaging path through university teaching of law

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2024

This book has a wealth of experience and uses different university teachers to write 13 of the chapters of the book. From icebreakers at the start of the course, to the use of AI and project work, it provides a good overview of teaching commercial law. There are also 15 Appendices at the back which provide context and some YouTube links.

Another Kind International Review: 99 Motivators for College Success

 Posted on Amazon in India

Manjul

5.0 out of 5 staRelatable

 Reviewed in India on March 28, 2024

 

Verified Purchase

I wish I could have read this book, “99 Motivators for College Success” when I was college student. Still, going through the book, I could easily relate to the insights given especially with regard to the transition from high school to college life. All in all, with three sections, Ninety Nine Motivators, Nine Takeaways, Nine Personal Goals, makes the path to college a lot easier. The book gives enough motivation to jot down a tip or a quote that reverberates with the reader. A must read for all young voyagers who are out to explore the world.

Very Kind Amazon International Reviews: 99 Motivators for College Success

 Maria Jonas

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift of Wisdom for My College-Bound Son!

Reviewed in Germany on 21 March 2024

Verified Purchase

As my son embarks on his college journey, I wanted to equip him with the tools and inspiration needed to thrive academically and personally. That's why I chose to gift him "99 Motivators for College Success" by Perry Binder J.D.

This book comes highly recommended, having been sent to rising high school seniors across the country by Randolph College through its Book Award Program. It's not just a collection of tips and quotes; it's a comprehensive guide to navigating the challenges and opportunities of college life.

 

Trusted Mumma

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air!

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

As a former K-6 teacher, I was drawn to the fresh feel of the blurb of this book. Finding educators who love what they do, who desire to impart richness and plant seeds of possibility in their students (or total strangers) are always worth my time.
This book did not disappoint.
No, I won't be going to college (as I am Aussie who has had her fill of University degrees and formal study at this point) but the passion of the author, the bite sized pieces of wisdom, and the engaging story writing are just some of the reasons to read this book.
Yes, no doubt, college students will benefit from its down to earth advice, that dares to encourage dreaming BIG, taking measured risks and choosing things you love.
It's voices like these that we need more of these days, and I for one feel richer for having listened to this very entertaining writers voice.
It is a refreshingly different read, human, honest, raw, funny...and that is what makes it great!

One person found this helpful

 

Amazon #1 BEST SELLER in Educational Counseling: 99 Motivators for College Success

99 Motivators is doing very well in this Kindle category.

Each year from 2016-2022, 99 Motivators for College Success was sent to hundreds of rising high school seniors across the country by Randolph College (Virginia) through its Book Award Program.

In 99 Motivators, Perry Binder is one part professor, one part career mentor, and one part classroom cheerleader. His Motivators, insightful stories, and takeaways are presented in bite-sized tips and quotes on college success in class, in career choices, and in life. Most of the Motivators are serious, some are quirky, and they all have universal messages for college and high school students. In this book, Perry gives away all of his teaching secrets, including advice on how to study for multiple choice exams and how to write model essay exam answers.