Broad School Undergrad Commencement Speech
By Adanma Chinemerem Okoro

Adanma Chinemerem Okoro

Good afternoon. I am delighted to stand before you all today and remain eternally grateful for this honor. Two weeks ago, Dr. Sollenberger said to me, "You know, the shortest class in the Broad school is 50 minutes, you better keep your speech under that." All I can say is sit tight and enjoy the ride! Today I pose a question to you all: How do you measure success? Success is defined as an event that accomplishes its intended purpose, a state of prosperity or fame, the achievement of something desired, planned or attempted. How do you measure success?

Is it in the number of 8 a.m. classes you were able to attend?
Is it in the number of hangovers you have lived through?
Is it in the number of 4.0s you have gotten?
Is it in the number of times you effectively brown-nosed your professors?
Is it in the number of job offers you have received?
Is it in living through the 525,600 minutes of each year?

The list is endless, but whatever the case, each and every one of us should bother to personally define success because it is important to. It drives progress and is closely related to happiness. It fosters the accomplishment of goals and helps us see the prize more clearly. It is knowing where the target is before throwing the dart. It's about fully knowing yourself and what makes you tick. How do you measure success?

Let's backtrack for a minute. The transition into college is considerably hard for everyone. It is not easy for the individual who comes from five miles away, it is not easy for the one who comes from two states away, and it is certainly not easy for the student who comes from a whole other continent. I'll use my experience as an example; coming into Michigan State University as an international student, there is a lot of pressure to "SUCCEED." With the cautioning voices of parents and relatives constantly ringing in your head, you are determined to do two major things: get 4.0s in all your classes and not get into trouble with the law; that is your sole mission for at least the first year. As time passes however, you begin to meet a lot more people, get involved in various student organizations and jobs; and in broadening your horizon, your concept of success also changes. The voices in your head are not so loud anymore. There is now not only pressure to excel academically, but pressure to do well socially, and professionally- and I tell you, it is hard! I know we can all relate to this in some way and what's important is that these experiences have helped shape our perspective on life today. Now, having been there and done that and with the lessons from all the wonderful experiences we've had here at MSU, it is important to take time to realize and decide for yourself , have you really been successful thus far? What can you do better? What is left to achieve? How do you measure success?

We are obviously on the right track, my friends. We have bravely completed a very significant phase of our lives by graduating from what is undoubtedly one of the best schools of business in the country- The Eli Broad College of Business. From this great institution, we have acquired skills and virtues that set us above the rest. It's time to go out there and show the world what we're made of; I quote Abraham Lincoln when I say whatever you are, be a good one. One thing I am sure of is that, to be triumphant in the real world, to win as business people, each and every one of us needs to be able to answer the question "what winds your clock?" Therefore, as we go into our careers, into further education and in the general pursuit of dreams, it is necessary to stop and reflect on what gives you a sense of accomplishment. How do you measure success?

Is it in the number of times you kept awake in STT 315?
Is it in the number of times you said to yourself I'm gonna be just like Gil Harrell?
Is it in the number of sudoku puzzles you have completed?
Is it in the number of facebook pokes you have received?
Well, is it?

A good friend of mine once said to me, "Why are you wasting those brains on accounting of all things when you could easily become a very prosperous engineer or doctor." I replied saying "I feel fulfilled because I am doing something I have a passion for, I am following my dreams." You see, occupying a highly esteemed position is one thing; actually loving whatever it is that you do is another- it is a blessing. Here's the lesson I want you all to take away from this message- as you continuously seek a balance between the multiple demands on your time, energy and emotions, it is the important that you ALWAYS see the target clearly before you shoot. Only then will you be successful as we sail on this voyage called life.

My name is Adanma Chinemerem Okoro and I measure success in the number of thank yous, I'm sorrys and I love yous I say. I measure success by the number of my fellow students I have been privileged to teach and mentor. I measure success in knowing that I stand out and am different in most every environment I find myself. I measure success in the number of goals I set and work hard to accomplish. I measure success in the number of times I find the strength to forge ahead even when the road gets rough! How do you measure success?

In closing, I would like to say a few words of thanks. First a personal, heartfelt thank you to my family- my loving parents all the way from Port Harcourt, Nigeria and my brothers- life is a lot easier knowing I have you to turn to; thank you for always being there. I love you all. To my friends and other family here present from far and wide, I say thank you. To Dr. Charlie Bokemeier, thank you for being a great advisor, boss, and an overall inspiration throughout my college career. On behalf of all the graduates, I would like to express gratitude to the entire Broad College faculty- our professors, instructors, and teaching assistants who have guided us through this journey. Without your help and support, there would be no "journey" to speak of. And so, we thank you.

And now with the graduates, I leave this message: I hope the days come easy and your every moment brings a glow, I hope your weeks are peaceful and the years help you grow. And as you make the choices that mean the most to you, never forget the people who do too. As Ryan Kelly said standing here two years ago, "We walked in here today students, we will walk out alumni." On that note, I say CONGRATULATIONS AND ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS!!! Thank You.

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