Good morning, everyone.
Distinguished faculty, honored guests, proud parents, and the graduating Class of 2024, it is truly a privilege to stand before you today.
My name is Sylvia Mbama, Class of 2006. I had the pleasure of sitting where you are 18 years ago, feeling the same mix of excitement, relief, and perhaps a little uncertainty about what lies ahead. I am honored to share a few thoughts as you prepare to embark on your next chapter. I still remember my graduation day. Like many of you, I was eager to step into the world, degree in hand, ready to take on whatever came my way. But I also felt the weight of the unknown especially when I already had two offers with the support of Ashesi Career Services. I asked myself, Would I find success? Would I make the right choices?
Looking back, I can tell you that the journey has been full of surprises—some wonderful, others challenging—but each experience taught me something valuable. I remember the first day I got to Ashesi campus at Labone for our orientation. We met Professor Anku of blessed memory, and he stated that he was going to make us eat and drink mathematics; we all laughed, but to my amazement, I got a B in calculus. An achievement I thought I couldn’t attain was made possible. What did that do for me? it built my numerical skills. I also had the opportunity to be lectured by Mark Pointer on liberal arts.
This gave us a well-rounded view of the world, taught me how to build on my critical thinking skills, communication, and analytical skills. Time management in our part of the world has always been an issue, I remember our first party when we joined Ashesi and were given 6:00 pm as start time, some of us got there after 6:00 pm and to our amazement Patrick was already there. Within a few minutes after we got there, the party was over. It was a lesson for us to be diligent and respect time. A lesson I haven’t forgotten till date. There are many more exposures and experiences Ashesi presented to me and has sharpened my world view but for the sake of time, I will leave it here.
Moving on, I’d like to share a story from my professional journey. On my first day at work as a human resources administrator, I had high expectations because of the values Ashesi had input into us. This was my first job after graduation, and I was bold and ready to make a change. However, on that first day, I had no desk and no PC. I carried my personal laptop and network cable to fit in and work and my colleagues couldn’t help but laugh. This continued for 3 months. I hopped from desk to desk and had to serve my team members in various capacities. I took on responsibilities outside my core job for years. This was difficult, but it paid off and allowed me to acquire a vast range of knowledge in my field. Today I am here because I took those baby steps and didn’t give up. I stayed in that department and got promoted repeatedly until I reached management level.
This experience taught me to be humble but resilient at the same time, to never give up on what I want, keep learning, and focus on my goals, a lesson that I continue to carry with me today. It’s a reminder that life rarely follows the plan we set out for it, but it’s in those unexpected moments that we often find our greatest growth.
To the graduates, I have a few pieces of advice as you step into this new phase of your life.
First, embrace the uncertainty, and trust God to lead you. The path ahead may not always be clear, but trust that every twist and turn is leading you to where you’re meant to be.
Second, stay curious, and be a learner. Never stop learning, whether it’s through formal education, experiences, or the people you meet along the way.
Finally, love and be kind to yourself and others. The world can be tough, but your kindness can be a light in someone else’s journey.
As you leave here today, know that you carry with you the knowledge, skills, and values that this great institution has instilled in you. You are more prepared than you may realize to face the challenges and seize the opportunities that await you.
Remember that success is not just measured by the milestones you achieve, but by the impact you make, the relationships you build, and the integrity with which you live your life.
In closing, I want to congratulate each of you on this remarkable achievement. Today is a celebration of your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. But it is also the beginning of an exciting new journey.
As you go forth, know that you are part of a larger community of alumni who are cheering you on and are ready to support you as you make your mark on the world.
Congratulations, Class of 2024. I can’t wait to see what you will accomplish.
Thank you.
