‘Graduation is only the beginning of our paths’
Commencement, for all Ivy Tech Community College staff and faculty, is our why. This single day, every year, is the culmination of patience, grace, hard work, and care. And most importantly, it is the result of dedication and perseverance – despite all obstacles – on behalf of our students. Ivy Indy graduates face a wide variety of challenges and adversity every day. From graduates like 78- year-old Carol-Ann Lynch Marbach, who began her studies late in life, to Coby Simpson, a graduate who is a survivor of chronic myeloid leukemia, our students prove every day that with hard work and
determination – it is possible. Simpson’s speech reads, in part:
“During my freshman year, I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, an illness that threatened to derail my education and my life. I am here today to tell you that even in the face of such adversity, resilience and determination can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Throughout my diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, I learned the true meaning of resilience. I realized that the true measure of strength is not simply in the ability to endure but in the willingness to fight back, to rise again and again when knocked down. My experience with leukemia has taught me that even in moments of hardship, there is always a chance for growth, a chance to find new strength, and to become stronger and more resilient than before.
SUMMER 2023 | 29
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