In exactly four days my mission at UTM will be complete. I will have accomplished exactly what I set out to do: GRADUATE. Yes, the fantasy of seeing myself in a black cap and gown marching to the graduation theme song is about to be fantasy no more. In exactly four days, I’ll hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a News Editorial sequence and English minor. I’ll be qualified to work at any newspaper or magazine in all 50 states.

I can’t tell you all how excited I am to see just how far this degree will carry me.

Being the only News Ed. major graduating this term, I feel compelled to tell the fated story of how my love for writing manifested.

I developed a general love for the field of Communications while still in high school. I talked my way through the doors of the Dyersburg local cable–com station, WDYR, Channel 53.

My first big assignment was President Bill Clinton’s stop through Dyersburg during his 1996 campaign tour for second-term re-election. Broadcasting from the press stands in downtown Dyersburg, I decided I wanted to be a news reporter forever.

I still accredit that day as the most exciting day of my life. Academically, I began my Communication career in the fall of 1997 at UTM. Professor Dorotha Norton was my Freshman Studies teacher and during the next three years, I was under the wings of the same teachers in the Communications department that you all know and love today.

In 2000, after developing spasmodic dysphonia, a rare trauma-related voice disorder, I was forced to quit college and broadcasting. I’ll say in short, the five years that the disorder was at its worst were the darkest days of my life.

Unable to speak, I wrote. Writing became my most effective form of communication. It became my voice. Soon it was evident to me that writing must be in God’s great plan for my life.

I returned to UTM in the fall of 2004 to declare a major in News Ed. I didn’t expect my old Communications teachers to even recognize me but they did. Most didn’t just remember me, but called me by both my first and last name.

That meant the world to me.

It was evident by the expressions on each of their faces that they could see how much the disorder had stolen from me. Nevertheless, they did what they all do best in the department—they graciously supported me in my efforts to success.

The department also shared in the excitement of my miraculous voice recovery in 2005. I’ll never forget walking into Dr. Steinke’s office and saying hello for the first time in a strong, clear voice.

He extended his hands into the air just like Al Paccino in “The Devil’s Advocate” and said, “You got your voice back because you came back to the family.”

December 16, I’ll say goodbye to “the family” of Communications one last time. I’ve made friends within my major that I’ll never forget. I’m so proud that our paths have crossed.

Words are supposed to come easy to Communications majors. However, I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for the support given to me by the teachers in the department.

Thank you all so much for giving me expert insight on how to make my career dreams come true.

I know without a doubt that I’ve been taught by the best and I promise to demonstrate the determination needed to attain my gigantic dreams.

Because I believe in speaking my dreams into manifestation, I’ll say on a final note that I’ve got a taste in my mouth to do the “big stuff” within my field…and my wildest dreams consist of a Pulitzer and me thanking my millions of fans.