I sat through my first pre-commencement graduation at Saint Louis University today. There were many many highs and tearful moments. Some made me smile and others brought tears to my eyes. Imagine working so hard for your degree, even knowing what you will do upon graduation, just for the Lord to call you back home. I cried. No parent should ever bury their child. I sat through my first post-humous graduation too.

Seeing many of my now former students receive their diplomas also brought a bright smile to my face. We all did it. There were no models. Every single one of them persisted on their own. It’s my hope that they keep persisting beyond today and to the rest of their lives. Congratulations class of 2022.