An acting assistant secretary of defense urged graduates to be “team leaders” at the College of Professional Studies commencement ceremony in the Charles E. Smith Center Saturday.
Speakers told the 347 graduating students of the CPS class of 2025 that they should value the connections and experiences they made at GW and should share their stories of leadership and wisdom with future GW students. Keynote speaker Colby Jenkins, the acting assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, told graduates that they should expect to make mistakes in life, but that they can overcome them by persevering.
“None of us plan to make mistakes, but believe it or not, we do. So the question is, how will you overcome those mistakes?” Jenkins said.
Jenkins challenged graduates to exercise “understanding and mercy” with their colleagues when they become leaders in their field.
“The glory and the accolades can go to someone else,” Jenkins said. “As a leader, seek to be that quiet professional. You want to be the one that when you walk in a room, people say, ‘I want to work with her. I want to work with him. I want to work with their team.’”
CPS Dean Liesl Riddle thanked faculty, families and graduates for contributing to the “life” of GW. Riddle said students changed the GW community with their “dedication” and “passion” by “elevating” the mission of CPS.
“Our goal has always been to bridge knowledge with impact, and this is just the beginning, as you step into the next phase of your journey,” Riddle said.
Riddle also told students to remember that the connections they made at CPS are “enduring,” and that they should stay engaged with GW after graduation.
“Lean into our alumni network, where collaboration and opportunity truly thrive,” said Riddle. “And please come back. Come back to share your stories, your expertise, your wisdom, your leadership with all of those that follow in your footsteps.”
CPS program directors presented awards to graduates and faculty, including Jenkins, for academic and professional achievements.
Student Speaker Claudia McCarthy, who received a master’s degree in homeland security, said she struggled to determine a theme for her commencement speech, but that she decided to speak about friendship, because the connections she made at CPS “inspired” and “pushed” her to become better. McCarthy added that the support friends provided students would enable them to pursue their “goals and dreams.”
“We’ve all gathered here today at different points in our journey, and some have been dealt a different hand than others, but we all have to play,” McCarthy said. We can’t skip a turn. We can’t reverse it. It’s not a game photo. It’s a game of luck, and having friends in your corner makes the game just a little bit easier.”
