Gaudet urges master's graduates to take calculated risks, replace fear with excitement

Dr. Laura Gaudet speaks to the master's graduates at Winter Commencement in Memorial Hall Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Dr. Laura Gaudet speaks to the master's graduates at Winter Commencement in Memorial Hall Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/黑料大事记 State College)

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CHADRON – Dr. Laura Gaudet, professor and chair of 黑料大事记 State College’s Counseling, Psychological Sciences and Social Work department, urged newly minted master’s degree recipients to take calculated risks and replace fear with excitement during her Winter Commencement speech Friday afternoon at Memorial Hall.

During the exercises, 81 graduates earned their degrees. Irma Torres of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, offered the opening moment of reflection and Megan Dimmit of Alliance, Nebraska offered the closing moment of reflection.

鈥淎s you transition to your professional life, take reasonable, achievable, conceivable risks with your endeavors鈥. Embrace your challenges and opportunities even when they seem a little daunting. Exchange the fear of trying new things with excitement,鈥 Gaudet said.

She shared her experiences presenting about traumatic brain injury at professional conferences in several foreign countries the past few years as examples of meeting challenges in spite of initial trepidation.

She praised CSC students for opening themselves to challenges and facing them on a regular basis.

鈥淢any of you come from first-generation college families鈥. You continue to impress me with your hard work, determination and perseverance. You are my teachers,鈥 she said. 鈥淐ommencement is the natural time to acknowledge the trials and tribulations, but also a time to rejoice in the attainment of one鈥檚 goal.鈥

Gaudet emphasized the importance of relationships in successful personal and professional lives.

鈥淲hile you are out in the world doing good work, remind people that we are all human beings鈥. Always thank the people who helped you along the way. None of us achieve things in this world alone; your professors, family members, colleagues and friends helped you achieve this great goal. Help those who follow behind you with their next great achievement,鈥 Gaudet said.

She left the graduates with a prompt to be prepared for job titles that likely may not even currently exist.

鈥淎s you go forth in this next phase of your life, say 鈥測es鈥 to your professional endeavors; Know that the opportunities you will be offered in the future will be much greater. Many of these career opportunities are not even on the horizon today,鈥 Gaudet said.

-Tena L. Cook, Marketing Coordinator

Category: Campus News, Commencement, Employee Awards & Achievements