The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga honored its most recent graduates in two ceremonies, due to the limitations of space from the McKenzie Arena construction. Just under 850 men and women took their winter walk across stage to be conferred their degrees in various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate.
The afternoon ceremony featured Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly as the featured commencement speaker. His remarks were timeless in nature as he added a frame of humor to the speech. Noting the Saturday in December to mark his second such honor in delivering a graduation day speech, the first-term mayor quipped, “Being a new mayor, I’ve only given one other commencement speech. And that was to graduating fifth graders… But probably more astounding still is that I’m going to give you the same advice that I gave them.”
Appreciate that there are pieces of wisdom and truths that are, indeed, timeless. In practical terms, this simply means that the lurches and lunges of trends which change, opinions that vary like a ricocheting bullet in a small room, and cultural demands that bring gradual, insidious change–wisdom and truth withstand the forces of humanity’s whims.
So, what did the Chattanooga Mayor tell both 5th graders and UTC graduates matriculating to their next opportunity after their time and work to prepare?
Mayor Kelly admonished the graduates to be courageous. He didn’t say to never experience fear or uncertainty. His words were “to stand up for what’s right and true… And the courage to be yourself… Are all critically important ways to improve yourself, improve your sanity, improve society, all at the same time.”
Courage is simply the internal strength, the fortitude, in the face of that which does bring fear, uncertainty, and concern.
They Mayor also encouraged the audience of UTC graduates and those celebrating their accomplishments, as he did the 10-11 year-olds, that choosing to “step outside our comfort zones” to pursue a goal, take a stand, or lead in a team of co-workers, helps, “develop a deeper sense of resilience and appreciation” bringing “joy and fulfillment.”
Mayor Tim Kelly, first elected in April 2021, continued to focus both on the external and internal benefits of cultivating the mindset of being courageous, deciding to risk creativity, and to develop the discipline of gratitude.
“Gratitude builds courage,” Kelly offered. “Practicing gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we already have.”
This virtue, a heart of thankfulness and an outward demonstration of appreciation, is not just of value in the workplace and for one’s future goals, but it literally shapes us to be a better person at home, work, and play.
