Every year, a new set of Fredonia graduates set off on a new journey into adulthood and professional careers. With this new adventure comes new obstacles, new responsibilities and, more than likely, more work. With this new and scary endeavour in mind, it is the Commencement speaker’s duty and privilege at graduation to ease the mind of the wary graduate with advice straight from experience, and the soul.
Shaun Nelms has been invited back to his roots here at Fredonia to be the graduates’ Commencement speaker, their advisor and their guiding light.
Nelms Started his journey here at Fredonia in 1994 and went on to graduate in 1999 with a B.S. in adolescence education with a concentration in social studies.
While here, Nelms was an active member of the basketball team that won the ECAC championship in 1995. He was assistant coach of the Fredonia team four years later in 1999.
He has since went on to do extensive work as Superintendent of East High School, a once struggling school, in Rochester that has now made great progress and has become an example for other struggling schools to follow.
Nelms also serves as a board member of the Fredonia College Foundation. Through this position he raises money to support scholarships and other programs that serve to enhance the college experience for all students.
Nelms is quite proud to have been invited back to his alma mater to address this year’s class, for multiple reasons.
Nelms’ advice and wisdom will be shared with all graduates on their special day, including his daughter, Nia, who is amongst Fredonia’s class of 2019. She will be receiving a B.S. in social work.
“I was truly excited, humbled and honored,” Nelms said about being invited to address the graduating class as well as his daughter. He did, however, express how he understood the importance of this day not only to him, but to his daughter.
“Every kid is embarrassed by their parents,” he said. So he felt that it would only be right to ask permission from Nia to accept the invitation. “I’m sure there was a moment of hesitation when I asked her,” he said. Nevertheless, she ultimately agreed to let him speak.
Nelms let slip a bit of the advice that he will be sharing with the graduates at the Commencement ceremony.
He hopes graduates will take the time to reflect on all they have accomplished these last four years and hopes they find it in their heart to give back to the school that made it all possible.
Nelms also mentions how this year is the 400th anniversary of the first slave ships coming from Africa, across the Atlantic, to America.
With this in mind, he calls on these graduates to define the next 400 years.
“It’s up to [the graduates] to create a new narrative for America. One of unity and acceptance,” said Nelms.