Kerry Bowles
I left the UT Dallas campus as a shy freshman and came back a leader who had finally found her voice. I had learned to value others’ authenticity, respect people’s differences, and to think critically. I had finally become the person I wanted to be.
– Kerry Bowles
Hello and welcome family, friends, staff and especially the spring 2023 graduates from the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology!
I feel so grateful to be up here speaking to all of you and am excited to soon be holding my degree, which I’m sure all my fellow graduates relate to.
I would first like to thank all the wonderful professors here at UT Dallas. This university would not be the great institution it is without you.
I also would like to address the loved ones in the audience. On behalf of all graduates, thank you, thank you, thank you. None of us would be here without your support, and you deserve to feel proud of yourselves today, too.
When I first came to UT Dallas as a freshman for the fall 2019 semester, I was a completely different person than the one standing before you now. I chose to attend UT Dallas because it was close to home, and the then-School of Arts and Humanities appeared to be a small, close-knit community. I saw myself fitting in perfectly. I now look back and can confidently say that coming here was the best decision of my life. The lessons learned, the leadership opportunities I was given, and the relationships I have formed at UTD have all made me who I am today.
The one semester I was on campus before the world shut down was a tough one. Although I was close to home, my world had gotten so much bigger, and I had to find my way in this new environment seemingly on my own. After a few months, I began to find my footing, and then COVID hit, and everything got turned upside down. In the span of a few days, I was back in my childhood bedroom, taking classes from my computer, and the future was more uncertain than ever. It felt as if I had taken a giant leap backward. For the first time in my life, the unknown was greater than the known.
During that same time, my sister moved abroad, and the only people I hung out with were my parents. I love you guys, but as a college freshman, the lack of social life was very isolating. One silver lining was that I had all the time in the world to ask myself, “Who do I want to be, and what risks am I going to take to get there?”
When we all finally returned to campus, I was a junior and I was ready to make up for the lost time. I became a Gemini Ambassador for the Arts and Humanities, was elected president of my sorority, and became involved with the organization Deeds Not Words. I left the UT Dallas campus as a shy freshman and came back a leader who had finally found her voice. I had learned to value others’ authenticity, respect people’s differences, and to think critically. I had finally become the person I wanted to be.
Everything I had experienced during my last four years at UT Dallas came full circle as I wrote my capstone project. It was Professor Jessica Murphy who guided me through this process and gave me the confidence to compose a piece of literature I am now very proud of. I would not have the courage to stand up here today without Professor Murphy’s support.
Whether you now have a job lined up or you’re seeking another degree, or perhaps you have absolutely no idea what you’re going to do tomorrow, it is my hope you will remember this moment, and that you know that your UT Dallas family is always cheering you on every step of the way.
Finally, as we celebrate today with our loved ones, think about your time here at UT Dallas. How have you grown? What friendships have you made? Who has supported you? Are you your best self? Reflect on your journey and look forward to your future in this world that has now opened to you even more. Thank you.
Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Kerry Bowles is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in literature. Throughout her time at UT Dallas, she has been involved in numerous campus organizations. She was the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Committee head for Deeds Not Words, a Gemini Ambassador for the Arts and Humanities, and served as president of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She is a member of the Greek Honor Society Order of Omega and made the dean’s list several times. She also is graduating with a teacher certification and plans to teach English in the fall.