“Shoot for the Moon, Don't Be Afraid to Dream"
posted 5/4/10
Adrian College celebrates commencement; Tom Izzo gives inspiring speech

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is proud to announce that on Sunday, May 2, 2010, 202 students officially became alumni as they strolled across the stage and received their diplomas.

Commencement was held outside in the Multisport Performance Stadium before 3,000 attendees. Adrian College men's basketball coach and alumnus Mark White introduced the 2010 commencement speaker, Tom Izzo.

"I am honored to introduce today's commencement speaker," said White. "He is my role model, my mentor and I am blessed to say my friend."

The sun began to shine as Izzo, Michigan State University men’s basketball coach, took the stage.

Izzo told the class of 2010 that although he has been involved in some special events over the past few years, giving the commencement address at Adrian College was one of the most memorable.

“You probably ask why,” said Izzo. “One of you is going to cure cancer. One of you may become president. You’re our future, our fate. It’s in your hands.”

He then told the students that they are now, once again, freshmen.

“You were freshmen in high school then again in college,” he said. “Well now you become a rookie in the school of life. The best part of your journey is yet to come.”

Izzo spent the majority of his speech addressing his 10 building blocks for success: communication, teamwork, leadership, passion, listening, self-motivation, handling adversity, choices, accountability and knowing right from wrong.

On leadership, Izzo addressed the students to be either a leader or a great follower. He commented on change and how one must be able to handle adversity.

“A man and woman do what they need to do where as a boy and a girl do what they want to do,” he said. “Today you graduated in becoming a man and a woman.”

Izzo then told the graduates that even though his generation and the ones before him don’t always understand the choices of today’s generation, he has faith that they will conquer if they are accountable.

“I believe in you; in your generation,” he said. “Life is about accountability. Those of you who are accountable will be successful. Discipline and the ability to tell someone what they need to hear, not what they want to hear, is the greatest form of love you can give somebody.”

Izzo ended his speech by encouraging the graduates to be selfish in a sense that they should set high goals and aspire to reach them, no matter how hard it may seem. The Iron Mountain native joked that because he was from the UP, where “we only got television and radio a few years ago” he had no chance in becoming the head coach at MSU.

“Shoot for the moon and don’t be afraid to dream,” he said. “I got to live my dream. I hope you do, too.”

After his address, Izzo was presented with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.

Melissa Sage Fadim, chairman and president of Sage Foundation (Brighton, Mich.) and Robert E. Price, owner and president of Primore-SEDCO in Adrian, were also recognized for their contributions to the community. They were each awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.

The College wishes to congratulate all of its 2010 spring graduates and wish them much success in the future.