Susan taught in the deaf education program at Fontbonne University for over 35 years. She serves on the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is currently the Past Chair. She is the Awards Committee Co-Chair for the Fontbonne Community Connection, a women’s giving circle. Susan has volunteered in marriage preparation programs, childcare, mentoring, immigrant partnering and tutoring.

Fontbonne Convocation Speech

“Students, faculty, staff, President Blattner and friends of Fontbonne, while it is an honor to speak at convocation, I confess that this is a bittersweet moment for me, just as I’m sure it is for most of you. I’m pretty sure you didn’t know when you invited me to speak today that this week marks 50 years since I began my senior year, my final year as a student, at Fontbonne. And while I’ve been blessed to travel the world as part of my career, I feel a bit like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz saying “there’s no place like home” when I’m at Fontbonne.

A convocation in higher education is defined as a community building ritual that promotes student identification with the institution and facilitates a sense of belonging. It is an opportunity to welcome students, faculty and staff to the new school year. As we begin the final year in Fontbonne’s history, I would like to reflect on what I hope it means to be a member of this community during this year.

My connection to Fontbonne began before I was even born. My mother was a student here in the late 1940’s when Fontbonne celebrated the 25^th anniversary of its founding. As a child, I frequently came to this campus for theater and music performances. I remember watching two of my siblings perform in a finale for a French program offered at Fontbonne (if memory serves me). I was a student in the early 70s when Fontbonne celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its founding and I was a faculty member when Fontbonne College became Fontbonne University and when the 75^th anniversary was celebrated. I was a recently retired faculty member when I joined in our centennial celebration. I believe it was at the celebration of my 25 years of service to Fontbonne that Dr. Gale Rice noted that I loved Fontbonne and she was exactly right in that assessment. On that occasion my husband gave me a necklace with a purple stone and a pink heart that I’m wearing today that always reminds me of the amazing gift that Fontbonne has been to me throughout my life. I know that for many of you the last few months have been difficult, but I pray that you are able to feel that Fontbonne has been a gift and a blessing to you in your time here.

As I began reflecting on what this year’s convocation might evoke in students, faculty and staff, it just so happened that the Olympics were going on and repeatedly I was struck by a number of events and athletes that made me think about what this final year might feel like. I’ll share four of those occurrences with you today in the hope that they will provide encouragement for the year ahead.

First, as I watched Simone Biles compete, I thought about the “twisties” that she experienced during the 2021 Olympics. Biles describes the twisties as feeling lost in the air, not having a sense of control in space. I think for many of us, alumni, faculty, staff and students, we experienced something like the “twisties” when Fontbonne announced its closing in March. We felt disoriented and unsure of our next steps. I hope, and I believe, that like Biles, you have drawn on your resilience and have found a way forward regaining your sense of balance and that during this year you will call on that resilience. There may still be moments of “falling off the beam” but I hope that you will get back up and move forward and that you will have many moments of celebration in the year to come. So I recommend to you that for this year—be resilient.

Swimmer, Katie Ledecky is the second athlete I’ll note. Ledecky, who is the winner of more gold medals than any American woman was interviewed following her 1500 meter freestyle victory. She was asked, “what do you think about during the swim”—it’s a long swim, about 15 minutes. She replied, “I kind of let my mind wander during the race, thinking of all the people that have trained with me, just kind of saying their names in my head and thinking about them.” Rather than 15 minutes, I’m going to pause now for 15 seconds, and I invite you to think about the people that have supported you as a student, a faculty member or staff member and those people that you expect will support you during this year at Fontbonne. Maybe it’s someone you’re sitting near, maybe it’s family, teachers or coaches. Say their names either in your head like Katie or out loud if you’re feeling bold and appreciate with gratitude what they have done for you.  Pause for 15 seconds.

I thought of a number of names including my best friend, Betsy, of over 50 years who I met as a freshmen at Fontbonne; Gale Rice who collaborated with me on so many grant proposals; students who became colleagues, Cathy Schroy, Lauren Wright Jones and Jenna Voss; Libby Rayel, my walking buddy and Nancy Blattner who has worked tirelessly for the faculty, staff and students at Fontbonne. During this year at Fontbonne—be appreciative of all those who support you in being the best you can be and let them know!

Noah Lyles is the third athlete that I’ll talk about today. Perhaps you saw the social media post from Lyles who won the gold medal by .005 seconds in the men’s 100 meter final. He said, “I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety and depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why not you?” During this year at Fontbonne—be aspirational; strive to become an outstanding student, a great teacher, an encouraging coach, a thoughtful friend. Keep in mind Lyles words, “Why not you?”

The fourth athlete I’ll talk about is not as well-known as the others. Cole Hocker was not predicted to be a gold medal winner. He ran the men’s 1500 meter race upsetting the favorites, passing four runners in the final 200 meters of the race with an Olympic record. The commentator said, “Cole Hocker stepped up to the challenge.” In an interview, Hocker described the last seconds of the race when another runner blocked him out of the path he was trying to take. Hocker said, “I had to recalibrate, pick a new route and then again it opened up and I just let God carry me through the finish line.” As you move forward during this year, be open to a new route, recalibrate and let God carry you through the finish line.

Brad Stulberg wrote a column in the New York Times during the Olympics in which he stated that the real power of the Olympics is not the medals but the striving for excellence. He wrote, “Excellence is not perfection or winning at all costs. It is a deeply satisfying process of becoming the best performer and person you can be. You pursue goals that challenge you, put forth an honest effort, endure highs, lows and everything in between, and gain respect for yourself and others.” He states that this kind of excellence is for all of us. He goes on to say, “The real reward for excellence is not the medal or the promotion, but the person you become and the relationships you forge along the way.” He continues with “Excellence means striving well and finding fulfillment in the process. When you find a pursuit or activity you care about and give it your all, you learn to value focus, consistency, care, discipline and compassion. You learn about the importance of hard work and rest, yes, but also how to graciously accept loss, and learn from it.”

Stulberg poses five questions that I have adapted slightly for you to think about as you begin your final year at Fontbonne.

First, Will you give this year your all?

Second, Will you live this year in alignment with your values?

Third, Will you be patient and present?

Fourth, Will you embrace your own vulnerability?

And fifth, will you build meaningful and mutually respectful relationships along the way?

I hope your answer to these questions is a resounding yes and that you will have an excellent year.

Students, faculty, staff and friends of the university, while this is the beginning of the final year of Fontbonne University offering courses, it is not the end of the legacy of Fontbonne. Those who have studied and taught and served in this sacred space including all of you, will continue to share the charism of the sisters of St. Joseph by serving the dear neighbor without distinction and demonstrating the unifying love of God in our community. In this year, I pray that you will be resilient, be appreciative, be aspirational and be open to finding a new route and that you let God carry you through the finish line.

Thank you and I wish you all an excellent year.”