Speaker tells CSC graduates to 'give back'

• by Chadron State College

CHADRON, NE (12/19/2008)(readMedia)-- Richard Myers, a longtime Chadron community leader and retired pharmacist, encouraged Chadron State College graduates to "give back" as they embark on the journey ahead.

"During the holiday season, we hear a lot of about giving, caring and sharing, and that's wonderful. We need it," Myers said. "But I think the true meaning of giving back is not seasonal. Giving back is the opportunity you have of being a Good Samaritan. Giving back is remembering your family and all the sacrifices that were made for you. Don't forget your family, you need them and they need you."

He also encouraged the graduates to give back by being community minded citizens. To make his point, he listed nearly a dozen examples of ways people can volunteer and become involved in their community.

"Communities of any size are always in need. It doesn't matter if you end up in Denver, Dallas or Detroit, Hyannis, Hay Springs, or Hemingford, there is a need. And, as a college graduate, you are asked and looked upon to fill that need."

Myers told the audience that people should not only give back with time, but also with their resources. The former director of the Chadron State Foundation made a plug for that cause. He told the graduates that by giving to the foundation, they will give students the same opportunities that they've been given.

"Giving back has so many opportunities. In fact, it's limitless," he said.

CSC conferred degrees to 162 graduates during the ceremony. Bachelor's degrees were awarded to 120 and master's degrees were awarded to the remaining 42.

The ceremony also included moments of reflection by master's degree recipient Melissa Ann Mitchell of Chadron and bachelor's degree recipient Abby Christian of Gordon. Mitchell is CSC's former assistant registrar who has helped organize many past commencements.

-30-

(Story by Justin Haag, CSC College Relations)