Convocation 2010
Convocation Address
Dr. Sherry Anne Lints ’95
Doctor of Chiropractic MedicineOwner and operator, Better Health Chiropractic, in Utica, NY
August 30, 2010
Good morning and congratulations to the class of 2014! It is my extreme pleasure and most delightful honor to speak before such distinguished faculty, alumni, guests and most importantly, the over 700 new students enrolled here at my Alma Mater, Utica College...
Like some of you (about 175 of you to be more specific), I was a transfer student here 17 years ago in 1993. After studying Liberal Arts for two years, I was certain that I wanted to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Science. Having done so, I am convinced that my education here was second to no other school.
It was here, at Utica College, that I was a name and not just a number. It was here that I formed some lifelong friendships with not only colleagues, but also, faculty members. The personal tutelage and instruction that you have the opportunity to receive at this college is astounding and is to be commended. Faculty, I thank you. These personal relationships are particularly important to me because, you see, I was born hearing and speech impaired. I had challenges--and Utica College met those challenges head on. It was here that I was encouraged to "Exceed Expectations," your theme for this year--but it didn’t' start here. Allow me, if you will, to take you on a brief road trip of my journey that led me to this platform today...
Born in 1974 to a family with a history of alcohol dependency, domestic violence and other forms of abuse, I was five years old before the school nurse detected that I had significant hearing loss in both of my ears. By this time, my speech impairment already set in and consequently, resulted in a late start in life. I was given one hearing aid and it was recommended that I attend a school with other students like me. So, I was bused to a school for deaf and hard of hearing children, where I was exposed to those who did not speak and was immediately taught basic sign language. Right away, I knew I was different and began to cry. I told my mother that I did not want to be in a special school, but that I wanted to be like everyone else. This started the process of my mainstream education.
With the help of now two hearing aids, seven years of speech therapy, note takers, tutors, and understanding teachers, I went on to become one of the top students in my elementary school, my high school, and undergraduate college. I won scholarships to Utica College and at 19, I was enrolled full-time as a Biology major with a Psychology minor. Let me share with you a few of my more memorable experiences here at Utica College: first, meeting my academic advisor Dr. Aaronson, who taught me to appreciate Sci-fi books and movies; next, counting and anesthetizing fruit flies with Dr. Checchi; then walking blindfolded down the hallway to experience the world through another’s eyes and playing with play dough to experience the world as a child would with instructor, Melodee Moltman; also, traveling to the Baltimore Aquarium and Hershey Park, courtesy of the Asa Gray Biological Society; learning how to love and care for plants with Dr. Moore in Botany class (and I am happy to report that I have 16 house plants that are all alive and well); and of course, last but certainly not least, calypso dancing on the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad and Tobago with Dr. Gotwald and the Tropical Ecology class! I had some good times here and you will too.
But, I want to stress to you, it is not always going to be easy. There will be days when you will have multiple tests on the same day, with barely enough time to study, to eat, or even talk with family and friends—you may lose some friends, but you will gain some too. There will be make ups and break ups, good days and bad days, happy days and sad. There will be doors that will open and doors that will close. At times, it may seem like there are large boulders in your way. One of the greatest pieces of advice that I can give to you is to roll those stumbling blocks over and turn them into stepping stones. Learn from previous mistakes and build on them as you climb higher and wiser with every step you take.
Most importantly, however, I wish to impress upon you a principal taught in the Scriptures (Luke 6:31), and that is, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Do not worry about the money; the money will come if you are true to you are who you were created to be. With the education that I earned at Utica College, I became a Doctor of Chiropractic, but my true passion is singing, and also acting. How many of you know that it can be a little difficult to sing, act, or speak publicly with a hearing and speech deficit?
I am here, today, to tell you that if you can dare to dream it, you can do it, but you must set goals. Ultimately, what you will or will not achieve in this life, or even these next four years, will be determined largely by the expectations that YOU have for yourself. There is a Proverb that says, "man makes his plans but God directs his steps." You have to start somewhere. So, make plans, make goals. Dream big and dream out loud. Work towards those goals and dreams. It is humbling to know that in some way, shape or form, I have hit many of my childhood goals, from releasing a debut solo album, to appearing in a movie, to being interviewed on live talk show, to working with and meeting various celebrities as well. The bottom line is that if I can do it with all of the obstacles and challenges that I’ve had, then you can too. I challenge you to never, ever give up!
This past weekend I sat through a three day conference and learned that our world is in trouble: economically, socially, politically and ethically. My soon to be fellow colleagues, hear me when I say, your education is a gift that far too little are ever privileged to receive. Which one of you will rise up and redefine the statistics plaguing our nation and our world today? Who among you is our next lawyer, writer, social worker, doctor, chemist, dentist, engineer or teacher? Who will be the next school nurse to impact the life of a little 5-year old girl who came from a difficult home with physical challenges but knew how to dream big? Which of you will make that commitment, today, to change the world one life at a time?
I continue to set new goals and expectations for myself and I encourage you to do the same. And who knows? Maybe a female, hearing impaired, singing Chiropractor from Utica College really can be the next President of the United States of America. DREAM ON MY FRIENDS! DREAM ON.
Thank you and God bless you!
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