Follow your heart,’ exhorts new Frostburg State graduateThoughts again turn to fire victims as university conducts commencement
FROSTBURG — Almost 400 students graduated from Frostburg State University Saturday in a ceremony that was celebratory, but subdued, as the university community remembered two students who died in a fire earlier this month.
Friends and family packed the Cordts Physical Education Center for FSU’s 137th commencement, which featured remarks from three top graduates in the fields of business, education and liberal arts.
But before the traditional speeches and the conferring of degrees, FSU President Jonathan Gibralter read a letter from Gov. Martin O’Malley, who sent both congratulations and condolences to the FSU community.
Alyssa Salazar, 20, and Evan Kullberg, 23, died Dec. 3 when they were trapped inside an apartment building on East Main Street in Frostburg. Salazar was an education major; Kullberg was studying business.
“When we lose two bright, lively, promising young people like Alyssa and Evan there are no words to console us or to help us understand the injustice of our loss,” Gibralter read.
“Sometimes things happen that are unexplainable. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our understanding, and this is such a time. And when we can find no explanation on earth, we turn to our memories and our faith to give us strength and to help us carry on.”
For graduates, Saturday marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Wildlife and fisheries major Roxann Steelman-Couch quoted the Grateful Dead’s song, “Truckin’,” to describe her college experience:
Sometimes the lights are shining on me.
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it’s occurred to me
What a long, strange trip it’s been.
“You know how sometimes, all the craziness of classes, all our assignments, cramming for those finals we just got through with, we just can’t seem to see that light at the end of the tunnel,” said Steelman-Couch, a non-traditional student who returned to college after spending years in the work force.
“But today that light is shining down upon all of us because here we sit ready to walk across that stage.”
Steelman-Couch urged graduates to learn from her mistakes and follow their dreams.
“Unfortunately I let my dreams get stolen away when I was fresh out of high school and I decided to pursue other careers, but none that ever really truly made me happy,” Steelman-Couch said.
“Follow your heart. Figure out what makes you happy, what you would do every day for free and just do it. Don’t let fear or the thoughts that someone may not approve of what you’re going to do hold you back. Because I’m living proof to all of you today, no matter how old we may be, if you want something bad enough, you’ll figure out a way to get over those hurdles that are in front of you and do it.”
Education major Katherine Gardner said she believes passion is the key to success.
“As a future educator I know my hands will be put to great use in building strong communities with my students and colleagues,” Gardner said. “My hands will shape the minds of my students to instill the enthusiasm I share for learning ...”
Gibralter asked students to reflect on the support they’ve received from family and friends as they’ve pursued their college degrees.
“Take a moment to remember all those people who touched your life and helped you find your way,” he said.
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