Commencement

Bina Bogati Commencement Speech

June 16, 2000

Thank you, Ekram.

Good evening. My name is Bina. I am an international student from the country of Nepal, which is between India and China. Two years ago, I came to the United States to visit my family, and while I was here, I had the opportunity to visit Edmonds Community College. I was impressed with the quality of education offered here, and because of this, I decided to continue my education in the United States, specifically Edmonds Community College.

The education that I have received at Edmonds Community College has made me a different person and has changed my life. A few years ago, I felt like I had had enough education and I was done. Thanks to my parents, my family, and the support that they gave me, I was able to go forward. Without them I would not be here tonight. And it was because of excellent role models at Edmonds Community College, like Nancy Kennedy and Shari Lippman, that I am able to stand before you now. Because of them, I know that there are many more steps ahead of me and that I can now successfully climb those steps. Someday I will reach the top. I plan to keep climbing, and I encourage you to do the same.

Graduates, consider your education a natural resource, something that you can draw on as you need it, or share with others. Think of yourselves like the sun. A huge source of energy that can be shared around the world. In my country of Nepal, education is a very valuable resource. Most women only complete the 10th grade, then they get married and have children. But things are changing. Education is a new concept that is opening doors for them. It is something that can never be destroyed or stolen from them. As a women from a place where women have just begun to receive educational opportunities and share knowledge, I know the value of education. Rather than taking the education that I have received at Edmonds Community College and keeping it to myself, I want to instill the value of an education in others, especially in children, both in my home country of Nepal, and all around the world. I hope to be able to share MY resource with them.

Tonight, you and I have ended up in the same place, in this room, celebrating our success. Tomorrow you and I will take our success and experiences out into the world. Hopefully we will all give something back so that others will have the same opportunities and successes. I would like to ask all of my fellow graduates to join me in promoting education in every corner of the world, one child at a time.

I would like to end my speech this evening with a quote from Erma Bombeck who said:

If I had my life to live over, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it, and never give it back. Life is too short to let it pass you by.

Thank you.