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Sunday, May. 17, 2009

Perdue urges Mercer grads to serve others

Gov. Sonny Perdue told the 2009 graduating class of Mercer University on Saturday to not worry about fixing the future.

“The future is many things but never fixed,” he told 490 graduates at the University Center on the Macon campus.

Finding a fulfilling, satisfying life in service to others was the governor’s challenge to the new graduates.

“With so much to be determined, we in this generation pass the torch on to you,” he said before a near capacity crowd of more than 2,700.

Perdue challenged the graduates throughout their lives to ask themselves three questions: What have I accomplished? What should I have done differently? What should I do next?

“Be true to your faith, ideals, family and friends,” he said. “Look back and see how you used your gifts and talents to serve others.”

Sometimes the answers will be satisfying — sometimes not, he said, encouraging the graduates to leave the world better than they found it. “It’s only when you make your life about something larger than yourself that you truly reach your greatest potential,” he said.

Amber Murphy is well on her way to that achievement.

The 22-year-old psychology major from Reynolds was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis her freshman year. She had to miss the annual walk for MS awareness Saturday, an event which she has participated in for several years. Instead, she walked with her fellow graduates.

Any doubt she had after her initial diagnosis four years ago was short-lived.

“My family and friends were encouraging me,” Murphy said. “God has definitely used me for his glory. With my family and friends supporting me, I no longer question what I can achieve.”

Murphy, a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, has participated in walks to raise MS awareness and funds for research. She plans to pursue a master’s in public health, a field which focuses on awareness of disabilities.

Murphy also hopes to help boost membership in Delta Sigma Omicron, a campus organization for students with disabilities.

“I think Mercer was the best place for me to grow,” Murphy said. “I was able to progress as a student with my disability.”

“Overwhelmed” is how Amber’s mother, Lashon Perry, described the emotion of watching her daughter graduate from college.

“We’re so excited and proud,” she said. “Amber’s excelled well.”

Standing alongside his wife, Clinton Perry recalled a saying Amber grew up hearing from him: “It’s not so much about what you become but what you do in life.”

Mercer University President William Underwood told the graduates to notice the family and friends who helped them achieve this goal, and the sacrifices that were made.

“Look around and see the best evidence yet that the road to human achievement is hardly a solitary journey,” he said.

As the names were called and the graduates marched across the stage for a handshake from the president, they were met with a barrage of camera flashes as friends and family maneuvered to capture the moment. Tears were seen rolling down some faces.

Sam Sholander of Fairfax, Va., a finance and philosophy major, plans to attend law school, and may return to Macon.

“I can see myself coming back,” he said.

Heather Whitaker of Canton has been working as an instructional designer with Oglethorpe Power. The double major in technology communication and business administration returned to Mercer Saturday to walk with her class.

“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “It was a good opportunity for me to come back and reunite with my fellow classmates and professors, to get closure with this piece of my life.”

Shalonda Sherman is a psychology major with a double minor in chemistry and biology who will head to the Mississippi Delta for two years with Teach for America, an organization which sends some of the best qualified graduates from around the country to needy schools.

Perdue’s charge that the future is not fixed resonated with the Lincolnton resident.

“Point B is not the end, it’s what you make it,” Sherman said.