A VOTE OF THANKS SPEECH GIVEN BY A GRADUAND AT THE 1ST GRADUATION

CEREMONY HELD AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY ON THE 7TH AUGUST, 2015.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, fellow
graduates, it is a great and rear honour to be given the opportunity to address all
of you here today. I am pretty sure and certainly so, that for all of my fellow
graduates there has been, in the course of our academic journey, times of stress,
occasions that have put us way out of our comfort zones, perhaps the occasional
moments of panic and some extremely challenging experiences. Well, we have
survived each of these moments and are now being rewarded by the recognition
of our achievements and with amazing opportunities that are before us.

Our precious time spent within the walls of mighty Kwame Nkrumah University
will always be a special memory for each of us. We are therefore very thankful
and I am sure by now, all graduates here today can attest that this university has
been the right choice for us. It is a university,which undoubtedly leads and
innovates within the field of teacher education and has had a pivotal role in
preparing us for the road ahead.

We have all made lifelong friends, we have fallen asleep in lectures and we have
sometimes thought we knew more than our lecturers, but above all, we have
learnt to become not just great teachers but the very best that the teaching
profession has to offer.

Thank you to all our lecturers and academic staff for facilitating our study
enabling us to learn and grow and for giving us the professional tools allowing
us to be the best in our chosen profession. These men and women who have
guieded us have ignited our passion for teaching and have taught us to practice
every day following the philosophies that we truly believe in. We will be forever
grateful for the generosity of your knowledge and your constant and never
ending support.

I must also thank our loved ones both family and friends. You are the people
who have been by our side during this roller coaster ride of our university life.
We thank you for your patience and understanding through this arduous
experience, for coping with our fluctuating moods during exams, presentations
and God forbid making those dreaded dioramas!

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Whilst we so greatly appreciate the help, support and guidance from all those
around us throughout our studies, it is us, today the graduates who are inevitably
responsible for where we are today. We were the ones who sat tirelessly
studying, reading pages upon pages of journal articles, submitting thousands of
words in multiple assignments. We were the ones standing nervously in front of
our classes delivering presentations and the ones who undertook the nerve
racking exams to get to where we are today. All of this enables us to be sitting
here as graduates of our chosen profession, allowed us to achieve the dream that
we have worked so long for. So congratulations! Well done to each graduate for
the sleepless nocturnals, excessive study eating and social sacrifices you have
made over the length of your course.

Today may also be a little scary as we must venture out as independent

professionals. We must take those dreams and make our own places in this
world. Just remember that if your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big
enough . so fellow graduates, challenge yourselves, continue to get out of your
comfort zone for it is then that you will achieve unimaginable things. Remember
also that as teachers, we have a duty to ensure that generations of children are
empowered through our teaching, inspired to make a difference and develop a
love for the value of education.

Fellow graduates, it is time to stand tall and recognise your achievements and
the people you have become. How about a massive round of applause for
yourselves.

Thank you!