I miss teaching. I freely admit that the day-to-day interactions with students, the ability to share ideas and pose questions, and the personal and professional mentoring of students are the joys that got me into the higher education field in the first place. Watching students’ eyes light up when they grasp a complex concept or seeing them present a paper or poster based on research on which they worked so very hard are rewarding in ways that reviewing spreadsheets, writing reports, and attending endless meetings cannot match. As chancellor, however, I do have some opportunities that I did not have as a faculty member in that I get to shake the hand of our graduates who walk across the stage at commencement. Every. Single. One.
Some students I know better than others: the ones who work in my office, the athletes I have watched on the field or on the court, the Bonner Leaders whose capstone presentations I was able to attend. Those students might get an extra word in those few seconds we spend together on the platform as they receive their handshake and scroll. Some of the students are jubilant; some are emotionally overcome and have tears in their eyes; some are clearly participating mostly for their families. Still others are teetering on high-heel shoes; some are dancing; one this year weaved back and forth down the ramp acting like a kid pretending to fly. One captured all our hearts by carrying a large framed photo of her mother with her on that special day.
Every semester, I am surprised that as I recite the words near the end of my script — “Be successful and demonstrate to the world what graduates of UH Hilo can accomplish” — my voice cracks and I have to hold back my emotions. Why that moment? Why that line?
It is the culmination of the study and grit of each and every one of those students. I know of some of their struggles and accomplishments. I know many have been with us longer than four years, and along their journey they have experienced joy and anxiety, excitement and exhaustion. But on commencement day, they mainly want to get across the stage and back to their seat without tripping.
Not every student is finished on commencement day. Some have another class to take, an incomplete to finish or a clinical placement left before they technically graduate, but still the joy of commencement is palpable as they cross the stage.
The other thing that inspires emotion in my heart and my voice when I utter “what graduates of UH Hilo can accomplish” is the knowledge of the hundreds of hard-working staff and faculty who have directed their energies toward these graduates and their journeys. I am overcome by the wonder of it all, that despite our individual differences and challenges, we can all agree that we love our students and we all want them to succeed. Commencement day makes me reflective and grateful. We are united on that day, proud of our students and our university.
The hallmark of that UH Hilo experience that our graduates have just had is hands-on, ‘aina- and community-based education. We strive to ensure that as many students as possible get the opportunity for a high-impact educational experience. Some get out in the field, doing research with a faculty member, completing an internship or performing a clinical experience in order to learn the real-world application of the skills they are learning in their classes. Others serve the community as part of a class or a team, thereby learning how to be responsible citizens. Some students choose to study away for a semester or a year, which gives them that important experience living in another place and honing their cultural competence. Some hone their collaboration skills by being part of an academic or athletic team. Leadership opportunities abound through programs such as peer mentoring, student government, and club participation. All of these experiences add up to a world-class education, creating graduates who are ready to face the future with confidence and purpose.
I mua, Class of 2023!
Bonnie D. Irwin is chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Her column appears monthly in the Tribune-Herald.