Dr. Ezike spoke virtually to the morning and afternoon sessions of Knox's 2021 Commencement exercises.

To attorney Charles Smith, Class of 1984, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees; to the Board President Teresa Amott; to the incoming 20th president C. Andrew McGadney, faculty, administrators, students, parents, and friends of Knox College—warmest greetings. And, to the graduating class of 2021—what’s up?!

For all the exams you waited until the last minute and then crammed for, for the papers you labored over at two in the morning, the marathon study group sessions, 1,200+ hours of lectures you sat through, probably an equal number, if not more, hours of Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart 2K, and Call of Duty, and all those Prairie Fire football games you never attended. You did all of that so that we could get to this point, and I—not having read one page with you or written one word for you—get to join and be a part of today's ceremony. How can I ever thank you? 

Well, I know a few ways that I can thank you. Gracias, danke, merci, dallo, kamsahamida, salamat. Big shout-out to your soccer team, who has had the most success in the Midwest Conference Championships. And kudos to all of you in what you have done. 

In all seriousness, though, I humbly thank Chairman Smith and President Amott for their gracious invitation to be a part of today's ceremony. This indeed marks a solemn and celebratory rite of passage. And I would be remiss if I failed to extend my sincerest congratulations to President Amott as she celebrates her Commencement—her start of a new phase in her career and life. Thank you President Amott, for your leadership and support for this institution and for the students. 

Seriously, it's been nerve-wracking to prepare to address you. This is totally different from COVID press conferences. It's quite daunting to be asked to speak to young people with so much talent, so much energy and determination, and to try to say something that will capture the excitement of the moment, virtually. I want to give ideas that you can carry forward from today that will inspire you in the weeks, maybe months, to come as you embark on the next thing. That next chapter, whether it's the new job, the first semester of graduate school or professional school, whether you're hiking through the National Parks as you try to make sense of the world and identify just where you fit in. But while I try to come up with that, let me buy myself some time by offering accolades to some other special groups outside of you graduates. 

To the administrators and the faculty. Congratulations on another successful year of staying true to the mission of Knox College, challenging each other to explore, understand and improve ourselves, our society and our world. Despite—a big despite here—despite the social, political, and health upheavals we all bore witness to in the past year. Given the 184-year history of Knox, a school founded by abolitionists, and standing for what is right, even when it isn't popular (I've learned a little lesson or two about that), you have made the practice of following that arc of the moral universe that Dr. King spoke of one of the trademark building blocks of this storied institution. And not just this campus, but our state and our world are a better place because of that stance.

The events immediately surrounding the murder of George Floyd occurred when many of you had returned home. But for those of you—like many international students who couldn't go home, this caring community supported you emotionally, financially. Ms. Cervantez in the Intercultural Office helped students process their feelings with the healing circles. And the spur-of-the -moment COVID Relief Fund came to be and help students that now had no on campus job with which to support themselves. That's the community and the culture that you have created here. The Knox Together Pledge means something because of the culture that exists here. Kudos. 

And to you parents: Congratulations. I hope to be in your shoes one day. This moment is your reward for all the years and all the tears. This is your moment—after the parent-teacher conferences, fundraisers, concerts and recitals, science fairs, field trips, baseball leagues, science projects, missed curfews, cars returned without a drop of gas, and all the tuition checks you've had to endure. As a mother of four, you parents have my utmost admiration.

And to the 233 stellar members of the phenomenal graduating Class of 2021: Congratulations for achieving despite a global pandemic. You are awesome. And you got to have your Flunk Day, the Comeback Flunk Day, to be exact. On May 17, friars banged on pots and pans which signaled the wonderful Knox tradition that was suspended last year. 

To everyone here, kudos for not losing sight of your goals. Despite the chaos and the uncertainty and darkness. We were all navigating during this ongoing mass-casualty traumatic event for the last 16 months. 

There is a popular declaration written by Brianne James that now shows up everywhere, which states, “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.” And I can't think of a better line to capture the spirit of this graduating class, where more than 35% of you are first-generation college graduates. Forty percent are people of color. And some of you are a testimony to the power of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. 

Yes, Commencement is always a big deal. But yours, Class of 2021, is by every definition, huge. Super. Bigly. But let me offer a few nuggets before this is all over and you start partying like it's 2019. Graduates, as you celebrate, remember that this is a Commencement ceremony, commencement from the verb to commence, or to begin. We are actually celebrating the beginning of the next chapter for you. Today is not the end. It's the start of something monumental. This is the point where you get to chart your direction, where you visualize your destiny and take the steps towards realization. Now clearly, I can't tell you how to do this. Your story can only be written by one person, you. So take your pen and be the Pulitzer Prize winner for the best story you have ever read—your own. As you strike out on your journey, starting from today, you may find that your ultimate destination changes as you're traveling. 

I never thought of being the state's public health director, definitely not in Illinois, when I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. And I never dreamed of building a team that would lead a state through a global pandemic. But that's now a chapter of my story. But it's not the end of my story. When this pandemic ends, there'll be a new chapter to be written, and it just keeps going. Your journey may involve detours, and on some occasions, you may find yourself walking a path you didn't intend or when you've already traveled. And quite frankly, you might wind up in a ditch. No shame in the game. Just remember that some of the best insights are gained in the roughest patches. Looking back at my story thus far, I have learned that no chapter should be deleted or edited out. Every chapter in your incredible story has led you to where you are right now. You have fallen. But more importantly, you have gotten up after falling. You have learned important lessons that are going to help you not make the same mistake—but you will make new mistakes and you'll learn from those as well. 

Finally, keep it real. Embrace the opportunity to be truly real and authentic. Don't let anyone try to rewrite your character. Remember, again, that the only author of this Pulitzer Prize-winning story is you. So you write your character. Don't think for one second, that your story is any less important because you're from a certain neighborhood, or because your parents weren't this or that. Society may try to label you as other or an outsider based on your sex or your gender, your race, your sexual orientation, your socioeconomic status, your country of origin, your language or disability. Whatever your other is, embrace it. Your otherness brings a new and colorful dimension to every room you enter. And when your magnificent self speaks up, you give a voice to someone who might be just like you following behind, however silently. Remember, you do belong, and you have earned your spot at the table. And don't let anyone tell you differently. 

Accept yourself. Love yourself and be unapologetically you. It's really too hard to pretend to be something that you're not. And guess what? It's simple to be who you really are. Because then you don't have to think that hard about doing it. You are unique, and that's an amazing thing. So play to your natural strengths. You're not an accident. You are here for a purpose. 

Because of this COVID adventure we find ourselves on, I am regrettably not able to connect with you in person today. But your enthusiasm and your pride is real and it's deserved. And if I could see right now, as you prepare to begin your journeys, I would simply quote the title of the last work of the esteemed author, poet and member of academia, Theodore Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, as he was more commonly known and say, “Oh, the places you will go.” 

Go forth graduates of Knox College, you are our wildest dreams. And we are so proud of you. Let your journeys commence. Be curious, be lifelong learners, be compassionate, and be thirsty for justice and equity, and make every place you venture into find itself a little better off for your having been there. Congratulations, graduates. I wish you Godspeed on your journey.