Jessica Patterson

Welcome graduates! I want to start by thanking The University of Texas at Dallas faculty and staff for helping us get to this significant moment. I would also like to thank all the families and friends for attending today. We could not have done this without all of you. Although later than expected for some and right on time for others, this momentous occasion still holds the same utmost importance. This is the day we have all been waiting for. When we finally got to wake up, put on these gowns, dress them in Comet flair, display the stoles of our success, shake the hands of our faculty, and Whoosh those caps high in the sky. While this journey may have seemed as if it has taken forever, I bet we can all agree it is one we will never forget.

Life is a roller coaster! We all have experienced the ups and downs, the twists and turns, and look, we came out on top! I wondered if this moment would become a reality, but the journey has taught me you are never too old to accomplish your dreams. To give you insight, my UTD journey started after spending 15 years in the workforce. The life experienced in those 15 years is what makes me appreciate how life-changing this moment is. It has taught me that hard work and dedication pay off. When I decided to go back to school at age 32, I knew it would be difficult. To be out of school for so long and jumping right in headfirst was something I had to prepare myself for; even I sometimes underestimated my potential. Deep down, I was up for the challenge. That is not to say that my passion and drive weren’t tested after a long shift of waiting tables. Many times, the last thing I wanted to do was go home and write a 12-page paper, but in those times, I always kept the end goal in mind. The target of completing my degree helped me to continue to grow and persevere. During these times, I leaned on the safe environment UT Dallas created for us as students. UTD gave us the space to expand our minds and achieve greater heights because mistakes and errors are part of the path to success. UTD has always been transparent in letting us know that they are here to help you achieve it however you define success. For us sitting here in cap and gown, that time is now!

And while some will say that it is never too late to start, we must acknowledge that it is hard to dream of goals or outcomes that we are not familiar with. It can be scary to start down a path for which we do not have a map or role model to show us the way. It is tough to put our dreams at the forefront of what we call life. For many of us, that dream started by asking ourselves, what do I want for my future? Am I happy where I am now? For many in the room today, including myself, I know these were the questions I asked before applying to UTD. Many of us were scared of failure, but we knew that we might not ever see our true potential if we did not try.

This year has been filled with adversity and change that has brought us all together as one. I chose UT Dallas because of its diversity. This will be used as a steppingstone to show people that we can unite as one. Through differences and struggles, we are the ones to help create positive change. We need to be defenders of equality. We need to be open-minded toward others, and we need to stand up for those more vulnerable than ourselves. My twin sister’s favorite singer John Lennon said it best, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one.”

So today, fellow graduates, let’s celebrate our achievements, and equally important, let’s celebrate overcoming doubts and fears. For some, you have forged a path you had never seen another walk down. For others, it was a parent, a peer, or maybe even an early educator. No matter our individual circumstances, today, we can all look to what motivated us and celebrate. Because regardless of if it was a person that guided us or our sheer will to act on our dreams, we made it!

This degree may be your final goal, but for others, this is only the beginning. Despite the next chapter of our education, we can all serve as a light that guides those who choose to follow the path we have taken.

Let’s be that fire! Let us change the world! Go Comets! Whoosh!

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Jessica Patterson grew up in Allen, Texas, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a focus in African American culture and media communication. During her time at UT Dallas, she was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is an advocate for underserved communities and multicultural understanding. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and has a passion for humanitarian growth. When there is no studying to be done, she is a music enthusiast and disc golfer.