Graduation is a momentous time in a person’s life with high hopes, inspiration, elevation and elation. This is more significant when you enter an institution with certain ideologies and hopes but now exits with fresh and new breath of thinking about yourself, the world and life in general. The truth is that perspectives and worldviews change as we learn along life’s path. A person’s growth is not necessarily about how long he or she lives but how long he or she learns, unlearns and relearns. This makes the difference between growing old and growing up.

Valley View University gave you more than an academic pursuit. Therefore, it is not only about the information you have received through your various lectures, but the transformation agenda engendered and delivered. It is about the cultivation of minds to light up the world; the inculcation of values for life; filtration of perspectives to keep the best to be your best wherever, whenever and in whatever you do. Valley View University has made you men and women of value by teaching you life and how to live it. Its core values of Excellence, Integrity and Service are not only written on walls, in books etc., but to be lived. Your experiences at VVU may seem to you like nightmares, but you will soon recognize that they are ways to ignite you shining in a world that needs you more than ever.

Kudos to every one of you. You have not only studied for graduation, but this is an education for life. You have gone through VVU’s titration processes, and you are found faithful. Go and shine your light to the world and shine brighter where there is blackness of darkness; bring urgency to the world’s diverse emergency situations; choose obedience over convenience; uncommon truth over common sense; and work within the pressures of life that birth treasures. Above all, bring Christ and Christlike values into every crisis. Never let your theme, “Trained to Serve: Advancing the Mission with Integrity and Excellence” depart from you.

Congratulations!