Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition
POCATELLO, Idaho, May 15 -- Idaho State University posted the following news:
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15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition
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As the Bistline Theatre went quiet and lights came up on stage, 15 high schools across Idaho showcased their theatre talents while competing in Idaho State University's annual One-Act Competition, held April 24-25 at Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Students performed short, 30-minute theatrical productions that ranged from humorous tones to more serious and emotional. An evaluation took place afterward for constructive
... Show Full Article
POCATELLO, Idaho, May 15 -- Idaho State University posted the following news:
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15 High Schools Across Idaho Showcase Theatre Talent at ISU's Two-Day One-Act Competition
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As the Bistline Theatre went quiet and lights came up on stage, 15 high schools across Idaho showcased their theatre talents while competing in Idaho State University's annual One-Act Competition, held April 24-25 at Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Students performed short, 30-minute theatrical productions that ranged from humorous tones to more serious and emotional. An evaluation took place afterward for constructivefeedback from a panel of three judges: Molly Seremet, director, devised theatremaker, writer, educator, and associate professor and chair of theatre at Mary Baldwin University ; Jacob Claflin, English and theatre instructor at the College of Eastern Idaho with a background in Shakespeare studies and technical theatre; and Sarah Hymes, ISU faculty member and artist, director, and educator with experience in regional and international theatre.
In addition to the competition, various workshops were led by ISU students, faculty, and guests that explored different aspects of theatre, including stage makeup, playwriting, music, improv, costume design, lighting design, and more. A smaller competition called Tech Olympics invited small teams of students for a technical theatre race. Students were also invited to attend ISU's production of "Emme and the Taking of the Woods," written and directed by ISU faculty member Jef Petersen.
"It's really exciting to see kids in high school who are interested or passionate about theatre and to see the work that they are capable of doing," said Hunter Angus, an ISU junior minoring in theatre. "It's people who are potentially going into college to do theatre or getting involved in community theatre, and it's exciting to see that trajectory. With the workshops, they give them tools to go further into theatre. There are so many facets in theatre, and we want to help nurture whatever these kids are interested in doing."
"It's so fun to see people who are going to be you in a few years," said Hannah Jensen, an ISU theatre student and president of Alpha Psi Omega, a theatre fraternity. "You get to lead things like this and go into all these workshops and have an extra chance within the year to perform with your friends."
As students went from workshop to workshop, the hallways were filled with laughter and smiles, and energy remained high during each performance as the crowd reacted to their peers.
"The workshops were so fun, and I'm so glad I got to experience them as a senior. One of the plays was phenomenal, and I don't think I'll ever forget it," said Beighlie Ely, a senior at Highland High School.
Some students were participating for the first time, while others returned for multiple years, including Canyon Ridge High School student Lexie Lewis, in her second year at One-Act. "It's always been a really good experience. I really love performing on thrust stages with multiple audiences. It's just much more interactive."
For Skyline High School students Harper McDevitt and Lilly Nichols, visiting with other high schools was a big highlight of the event, allowing them to make new connections and learn more about what other schools are doing.
"I've learned that theatre is a very widespread and great community. Everybody here is supportive and kind to each other. It's a great place for everyone," said McDevitt.
The One-Act Competition is held annually in April by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Idaho State University. Those interested in learning more can visit the department's website.
2026 One-Act Competition Award Winners
Best in Show
Garden Valley High School - Future, Here
Top Three One-Acts
Century High School - The Rhinoceros
Skyline High School - The Mousetrap
Thunder Ridge High School - Almost, Maine
Best Ensemble
Idaho Falls High School - La Corregidora
Best Leading Performers
Leif Anderson - Century High School
Cass Smith - Highland High School
Best Supporting Performers
Brooklyn Dooley - Thunder Ridge High School
Lina Budge - Skyline High School
Judge's Choice Original Play
Mylee Martin - Highland High School
Tech Olympics
Thunder Ridge High School
All-Star Cast Medallion Recipients
Matthew Myers - Canyon Ridge High School
Ashlynn Morris - Emmett High School
Pepper Kelm - Twin Falls High School
Tyson Corry - Blackfoot High School
Carsyn Forrest - Castleford High School
Sasha Durtschi - Skyline High School
Benjamin Strock - Thunder Ridge High School
Nadia Cisneros - Bliss High School
Callee Entzel - Snake River High School
Kelsie Cox - Idaho Falls High School
Allan Riley - Century High School
Haylee Merriam - Line Point Academy
Lexi Neilsen - Line Point Academy
Pilot Bulak - Highland High School
Milo Dixon - Sandpoint High School
Mayzie Mathiason - Garden Valley High School
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Original text here: https://www.isu.edu/news/2026-spring/15-high-schools-across-idaho-showcase-theatre-talent-at-isus-two-day-one-act-competition.html
Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration
BUFFALO, New York, May 14 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release:
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Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration
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Buffalo State University will bestow a SUNY honorary degree on two notable individuals who will address the Class of 2026 during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena.
Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, will deliver the Commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences ceremony; Rebekah A. Williams, community
... Show Full Article
BUFFALO, New York, May 14 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release:
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Two to receive SUNY honorary degree and deliver address at 154th Commencement celebration
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Buffalo State University will bestow a SUNY honorary degree on two notable individuals who will address the Class of 2026 during the university's 154th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the campus Sports Arena.
Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, will deliver the Commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences ceremony; Rebekah A. Williams, communityactivist, strategic planner, and facilitator, and co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, will deliver the Commencement address at the 5:00 p.m. Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates ceremony.
The honorary doctorate degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the State University of New York to persons of exceptional distinction. Its purpose is to recognize those whose lives and significant achievements are widely known and highly regarded.
Bobbie Chase
SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF LETTERS
School of Arts and Sciences Commencement Address | 1:00 p.m. Ceremony
Bobbie Chase is a comics and graphic novel publishing executive with over 40 years of experience in publishing. Her most recent position was as executive editor of graphic novels at Wattpad Webtoon Studios, the publishing arm of a global company based in Korea that produces phone-based digital comics-the most popular global comics platform today.
Prior to this, Chase spent a decade at DC Entertainment/Warner Bros., where she held three different vice president positions, most recently as vice president of global publishing initiatives and digital strategy at DC Comics, in which she was charged with creating new global initiatives and partnerships, most successfully with Webtoons in Korea (Marvel Webtoons) and Kodansha, Japan (Marvel Manga). Prior to that, she was vice president and executive editor of a new middle grade and young adult (YA) graphic novel line. As vice president of talent development, she was responsible for creating The DC Talent Development Workshops, which launched in 2015. The program received thousands of applicants and was designed to give access and a voice to comic book writers and artists by providing educational and training programs for current and emerging talent. She joined DC in 2011, editing titles in the Batman Group such as Batgirl and Nightwing and then went on to become editorial director of the entire DC line.
Prior to joining DC, she spent 17 years at Marvel Comics, rising from assistant editor to editor-in-chief of Marvel Edge in 1994-1995. After years of editing almost every major character in the Marvel line, from The Avengers to the Incredible Hulk to G.I. Joe, Chase launched a new line of horror comics, elevating such characters as Ghost Rider, Blade, and Spirits of Vengeance, and was herself elevated to a position as one of Marvel Group's editors-in-chief, the highest level a female editor has ever achieved at the company. In the years following, she worked for Disney Publishing and Stabenfeldt International, developing and writing middle grade and YA books and magazines.
Some of Chase's awards and honors include Entertainment Industries Council in partnership with National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation PRISM AWARD; Several Magazine and Bookseller Newsstand Cover Competition Awards; Will Eisner and Harvey (Comic Industry Awards) nominations; Diamond GEM (Industry) Awards; and GLAAD Media Awards nomination. For many years, she was consistently ranked as one of the industry's "Top 10 Comic Book Editors" by Comics Buyers Guide, a consumer magazine.
Chase graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in English. She also studied at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, and studied design and illustration at the Parsons School of Design and the New School for Social Research.
Chase is a native New Yorker, currently enjoying the hidden gem that is Buffalo. She loves to garden, enjoys traveling, hiking, and the theater, and is currently working on a memoir of her years at Marvel.
Rebekah A. Williams
SUNY HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE
Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates Commencement Address | 5:00 p.m. Ceremony
Rebekah Williams is a community activist, strategic planner, and facilitator from Western New York. As co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, she collaborates with colleagues and community partners to build collective power and advance food systems change, centering dignity and justice in all aspects of her work.
Born in 1978 in Buffalo, New York, Williams was raised in the University Heights neighborhood alongside her sisters, Rachael and Eve. Her upbringing was shaped by a strong academic legacy and a deep appreciation for culture and community. Her father, Scott Williams, was a mathematics professor at the University at Buffalo, and her grandparents were professors at Morgan State University. Her mother, Karen Williams Powell, fostered in her an entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity about diverse cultures. Together, her parents instilled a lifelong commitment to learning, equity, and human connection.
Williams attended Bennett Park Montessori Center, where she experienced an education grounded in shared leadership and respect for all people. Time spent at the Rochester Folk Art Guild nurtured her love of nature and cooperation. She later attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School and City Honors, graduating in 1996, and began her studies at the University at Buffalo. After the birth of her son, Bhakti Williams-Brown, in 1999, she deepened her commitment to family and community, earning a bachelor of arts degree in social structure, theory, and change from SUNY Empire State College.
A pivotal moment in 1998 solidified her dedication to justice. While serving on the Western New York Peace Center board of directors, she participated in a protest supporting farmworkers and was arrested alongside others, including United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez. Witnessing the collective support that followed affirmed her commitment to organizing and coalition-building.
Williams has built her career in mission-driven nonprofit work. From 2012 to 2021, she worked at Massachusetts Avenue Project, helping to co-found the Good Food Buffalo Coalition. She has participated in national leadership programs, co-authored work on reparations and food justice, and held numerous board and advisory roles. Since 2021, she has led Food for the Spirit, working with frontline communities to advance food sovereignty.
Williams lives in the Finger Lakes region with her partner, Peter O'Biso. She remains deeply connected to Buffalo and is committed to building a more just and equitable food system for future generations.
Top photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer; headshots courtesy of subjects.
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Original text here: https://suny.buffalostate.edu/news/two-receive-suny-honorary-degree-and-deliver-address-154th-commencement-celebration
ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, May 14 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news:
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ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces
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East Tennessee State University will host a one-day conference, "Building Workplaces that Work: Practical Leadership Strategies for Today's Challenges and Tomorrow's Workforce," on Thursday, June 11.
The conference, which will take place from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Brinkley Center, will bring together business and industry leaders, community partners and university faculty to explore practical approaches to strengthening
... Show Full Article
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, May 14 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news:
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ETSU to host leadership conference on building effective workplaces
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East Tennessee State University will host a one-day conference, "Building Workplaces that Work: Practical Leadership Strategies for Today's Challenges and Tomorrow's Workforce," on Thursday, June 11.
The conference, which will take place from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Brinkley Center, will bring together business and industry leaders, community partners and university faculty to explore practical approaches to strengtheningworkplace culture, leadership and employee well-being.
Sessions will focus on evidence-informed strategies that organizations can use to support their workforce, improve team functioning and respond effectively to today's evolving workplace challenges.
The event is supported by multiple university and community partners, including the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the ETSU President's Office and the ETSU College of Business and Technology.
"This conference is designed to translate research into practical leadership strategies," said Dr. Wally Dixon, conference organizer and professor of psychology at ETSU. "We want participants to leave with concrete ideas they can apply immediately within their organizations."
The program features speakers from across industry, government and academia, with sessions addressing various topics, such as building psychologically safe work environments, supporting employees under stress and implementing system-level approaches to workforce well-being.
The conference is free to attend, but advance registration is required by May 31.
This conference focused on strengthening workplaces throughout the region is one example of ETSU's leadership as the flagship institution of Appalachia.
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Original text here: https://news.etsu.edu/articles/leadership-conference-on-building-effective-workplaces
Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26
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These are the student remarks delivered by Jackson Tyler Price '26 at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
When people describe Furman, they often talk about how quickly four years pass. And they're not wrong. But Furman has taught me that each phase of life is much less like a sprint... and much more like the distance races this university has become famous for.
In distance running, success rarely comes from speed alone. It comes
... Show Full Article
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Student Commencement Address by Jackson Tyler Price '26
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These are the student remarks delivered by Jackson Tyler Price '26 at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
When people describe Furman, they often talk about how quickly four years pass. And they're not wrong. But Furman has taught me that each phase of life is much less like a sprint... and much more like the distance races this university has become famous for.
In distance running, success rarely comes from speed alone. It comesfrom patience, rhythm, and the people who run alongside you. Looking back, my time at Furman followed that same pattern - moments of momentum, moments where I was forced to slow down, and moments where this community carried me forward when I could not do it alone.
Jackson Price '26 gave the student address at Furman University's 2026 commencement ceremony on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
I first understood the power of the Furman community during my freshman year as a member of the Men's Soccer team. In the spring of 2023, we traveled to the United Kingdom. Several of our alumni financed the trip and went with us. Watching them leave their families and support us wholeheartedly, taught me two things. First, that being part of Furman means becoming part of something that stretches far beyond four years. And second, that the alumni network is more than just a list of names - it's a community that heavily invests in those who come after them.
The following spring, I walked onto the track team. Something I never imagined myself doing. But training alongside one of the nation's elite running programs pushed me to reconsider what I believed possible. A mindset shift that would only benefit my Furman experience.
After my sophomore year, I traveled to Italy for the Slow Food MayX program. That experience gave me new friendships and changed my relationship with food, teaching my classmates and I to slow down and see food as something intentional. Something that is connected to both community and well-being.
Later that year, in September, we found out how Furman could shape us in quieter moments. When Hurricane Helene knocked out power across campus we cooked on charcoal grills, took cold showers and ate dinner in the dark. For a few nights, the pace of college life slowed and allowed us to simply be present with one another.
Then came October 2024. A season that tested everything I thought I knew about resilience.
I tore my ACL during one of our away games. Overnight, I went from playing the sport I love to relearning how to walk. It was the lowest point of my time here, but it revealed the clearest example of how special this community is. Teammates, athletic trainers, professors, friends, and students I had never previously encountered offered a helping hand. Many of those people are sitting in front of me today. And as a result of their kindness, I was able to rebuild not just my knee, but my confidence and identity as well.
Slowing down in my recovery only created space for new growth.
In March 2025, I began working with the Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to develop the idea that became GoldRush Energy, an all-natural supplement inspired by that Slow Food trip. One month later, I stood on stage and won the Rinker Paladin Pitch. And soon after that, Furman helped me turn my idea into a real company.
Finally, this past fall, I made it back onto the field and became part of the most decorated soccer team this university has ever produced. As we danced all the way to the Final Four, I watched waves of purple pour into stadiums, both home and away, in support of the Paladins.
Which reminded me that above all, Furman gave us the people who make this place feel like home. It's given us relationships that will last far beyond this campus.
There's a saying I love which says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together." And together, we have gone far. We were here when our men's basketball team won a March Madness game. We were here when the famous Blackwell Hall was torn down. And we were here when snow covered Furman in a way most of us had never seen before. It's moments like these which remind us that we did not just attend this university at the same time. We experienced it together.
And if Furman has taught me anything, it is that the most important races are not about how fast you start, but about how you sustain effort, respond to setbacks, and rely on the people around you.
Furman has prepared us for the races that lie ahead.
It has shown us that slowing down is not falling behind. Rather, slowing down is what allows us to grow, connect, and discover who we are becoming.
And as we leave this campus, we carry more than a degree. We carry the relationships, the resilience and the perspective Furman has given us - tools that will guide us long after today.
Thank you.
Commencement >
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Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/student-commencement-address-by-jackson-tyler-price-26/
NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next'
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 10 -- Carnegie Mellon University posted the following news:
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NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next'
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Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement (opens in new window) ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience.
... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, May 10 -- Carnegie Mellon University posted the following news:
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NVIDIA Founder, CEO Jensen Huang to Carnegie Mellon University Graduates: 'Shape What Comes Next'
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Carnegie Mellon University conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 128th Commencement (opens in new window) ceremony on Sunday, May 10. Bridging the gap between technological innovation and the transformative power of the arts, these new alumni are ready to address society's most urgent needs with the bold, collaborative spirit that defines the Carnegie Mellon experience.
Founder and CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang received an honorary Doctor of Science and Technology degree and delivered an inspiring keynote address, articulating lessons learned and offering advice to graduates entering a world of accelerating change.
"You are entering the world at an extraordinary moment. A new industry is being born. A new era of science and discovery is beginning. AI will accelerate the expansion of human knowledge and help solve problems once beyond our reach," he said. "No generation has entered the world with more powerful tools -or greater opportunities -than you. We are all standing at the same starting line. This is your moment to help shape what comes next. So run. Don't walk."
Huang, who has earned a spot on multiple "most influential people" lists in recent years, shared stories from his more than three decades at NVIDIA -a powerhouse underpinning the world's most advanced AI and accelerated computing. He met with a group of Carnegie Mellon University students prior to the ceremony to learn about their interests and to see research projects they've helped to develop during their time at CMU.
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Original text here: https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2026/may/nvidia-founder-ceo-jensen-huang-to-carnegie-mellon-university-graduates-shape-what-comes-next
Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year
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To watch the full convocation ceremony, click here.
The Furman University Class of 2026 had 200 years of history behind them as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees in Paladin Stadium on May 9.
"Tonight, you join 200 years of Furman graduates," said President Elizabeth Davis. "Classes who graduated during civil war, world wars, depressions and pandemics. Classes who had to imagine what came next without a clear map."
The
... Show Full Article
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Furman graduates 560 from the Class of 2026 in its Bicentennial year
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To watch the full convocation ceremony, click here.
The Furman University Class of 2026 had 200 years of history behind them as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees in Paladin Stadium on May 9.
"Tonight, you join 200 years of Furman graduates," said President Elizabeth Davis. "Classes who graduated during civil war, world wars, depressions and pandemics. Classes who had to imagine what came next without a clear map."
Thegraduating class contained 560 undergraduates and 46 graduate students. They were joined by members of the Class of 1976, who returned to campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their own graduation. Half a century ago, they were the students gathered for fireworks over the lake, cutting into a giant birthday cake in a campus-wide convocation to celebrate Furman's 150th anniversary.
"Remember: Furman is your forever community," Davis told the graduating class. "We will be here for you, and we hope you come back."
Students sit listening to a speaker during Saturday's commencement ceremony at Furman University. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Giving Back
For senior class representative and psychology major Meghan Madretzke '26, commencement isn't only the end of their time as undergraduate students, but the start of their role as part of the university's network of alumni mentors and supporters.
The next chapter of their lives offers the chance to enter the workforce, provide internships and mentorship for future Paladins, build peer relationships with their favorite professors and join local alumni FAN Clubs. The opportunities to connect with the extended Furman community are endless.
"Our time on campus may only be four incredible years, but the responsibility, leadership and community created and expected by Furman alumni are for life," she said. "Now it's our turn."
Madretzke and other senior Student Government Association representatives presented the class gift: $21,905 raised by 225 seniors to go toward various campus funds.
Furman honored several students, faculty and staff with awards for their service and accomplishments and celebrated 10 retiring faculty members. To read about the honorees, click here.
Jackson Price '26 gave the student address at Furman University's 2026 commencement ceremony on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Student address - Jackson Tyler Price '26
While four years can pass quickly, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon race, said business administration major Jackson Tyler Price '26. Price will pursue a master's degree in business administration at Babson College in Boston this fall, but on Saturday he reflected on the moments at Furman that taught him to slow down and enjoy the journey.
As a member of the men's soccer team, he saw how long-term support from alumni gave students the opportunity to explore their own paths. He pushed his own limits of what was possible when he joined the track and field team, and engaged learning experiences like his MayX trip to Italy taught him to pace himself and be intentional with how he spent his time.
The power outages during 2024's Hurricane Helene were an exercise in patience, and a masterclass in presence, as students cooked for one another on charcoal grills and learned to slow the pace of campus life to make space for one another.
But the greatest test of these lessons for Price was when he tore his ACL in October 2024. It was a low point in Price's life, "but it revealed the clearest example of how special this community is." Teammates, trainers, professors, friends and strangers alike supported him as he rebuilt his strength, confidence and sense of identity.
Slowing down gave him the room he needed to grow. Through 2025, Price built GoldRush Energy - a company producing an energy gel to help athletes recover from exertion, inspired by his own recovery and physical therapy. His company won the 2025 Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition, and the next year Price was back on the men's soccer team as they danced their way to the Final Four.
"If Furman has taught me anything, it is that the most important races are not about how fast you start, but about how you sustain effort, respond to setbacks and rely on the people around you," he said.
To read Price's full remarks, click here.
Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, gave the commencement keynote address at Paladin Stadium on May 9. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
Keynote address - Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96
Acclaimed musician, musical arranger, educator and orchestrator Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96 gave the keynote address at Saturday's ceremony. She is founder and president of ArtsIgnite, an organization that trains artists to teach life skills through the arts to young people throughout the world, as well as a founding member of Musicians United for Social Equity.
Campbell was recently announced as the 2026 winner of the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, recognizing her humanitarian and arts advocacy work.
But Campbell's first crash course in leadership came when she was pursuing her bachelor's degree in music at Furman. She wanted to perform and organize musical theater productions, but there was no such program at the university. She built it from scratch, and with the help of her fellow students and mentors she founded the Furman Pauper Players theater company, a student organization dedicated to making musical theater accessible for all students, regardless of their major or level of experience. Campbell used their productions to raise funds for local charities, putting her on the path to use her art for good.
"The things you're building right now, the thing that might feel small or uncertain or a little scrappy, it might matter more than you can possibly imagine," she said. "It might impact more lives than you could dream."
To read Campbell's full remarks, click here.
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Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/furman-graduates-560-from-the-class-of-2026-in-its-bicentennial-year/
Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer
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These are remarks delivered by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
Good evening, Furman graduates.
You made it! Congratulations - that's got to feel pretty good.
To the faculty, family, and friends - and especially the Class of 2026 - thank you for welcoming me home for this. It's a joy and an honor to be back here with you all.
Mary-Mitchell
... Show Full Article
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 10 -- Furman University posted the following news:
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Commencement Address by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, musician and volunteer
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These are remarks delivered by Mary-Mitchell Campbell '96, acclaimed musician and volunteer, at the 2026 Furman University Commencement ceremony.
Good evening, Furman graduates.
You made it! Congratulations - that's got to feel pretty good.
To the faculty, family, and friends - and especially the Class of 2026 - thank you for welcoming me home for this. It's a joy and an honor to be back here with you all.
Mary-MitchellCampbell '96
I remember sitting right where you are - so excited to be done with school, counting down the minutes until someone handed me a diploma and said, "You're free."
I was absolutely convinced I had my life figured out.
That...turned out not to be the case.
But look how much you HAVE figured out! You did it. You've graduated from college, and that is a profound accomplishment. You have worked hard for this moment, and you deserve to celebrate it.
But let's be honest - none of us got here alone. We are all a patchwork quilt of people who loved us, supported us, pushed us, and believed in us when we couldn't yet believe in ourselves.
If those people are here with you today, I hope you find them and thank them. Some of the people who helped me get here are here tonight, and I want them to know how much I appreciate them.
It's also worth noting that I was a scholarship student, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Furman over the years. Because of you, students like me - who couldn't have afforded this education otherwise - got to be here. That's a big deal.
I grew up in eastern North Carolina, on a farm with pigs, tobacco, and corn. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned this, but I did win the 4H county fair pig showmanship award for Wilson, North Carolina.
That's pronounced "WilTson," even though there is no T.
We just...added one.
My bio might sound a little fancy, but I promise you the road that led me here was anything but. It had some tough turns, some detours, and a few moments where I most certainly didn't have it all figured out.
But along the way, there were teachers and classes here that changed my life. Again, I extend my gratitude to those special folks.
Something I did have going for me: I was always curious, always eager to learn, and I was also the kind of kid who thought, " Yeah, yeah, I hear you, but what if I try it anyway?"
That was me.
Still is, if I'm being honest.
And that 'what if?', my friends, has been a game changer. A life changer.
I arrived as a piano performance major, and pretty quickly realized I wanted to pursue musical theater.
There was just one problem: There was no musical theater program.
So I started one.
That's right, I pulled together some fellow students and announced I was going to put on a show.
Now, to be clear, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
But I figured it out as I went. I started putting on productions where I was the director, the music director, the choreographer, the producer, floor mopper, ticket taker...I did it ALL.
So basically, if something went wrong, it was my fault.
And honestly, I probably learned more doing that - trying, failing, trying again - than I would have in a formal program.
And while I was busy doing ALL that, I took a sociology class called "Social Problems" that ignited a passion in me for helping others. And somehow, those two disparate things - musical theater making and being of service - collided in my brain. The result: The Furman Pauper Players.
We produced musicals as fundraisers for community organizations. My sophomore year, we did "The Fantasticks" with all of the proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity. I even convinced Nick Radel, my wonderful English professor, to be in the show.
Which, looking back, was either leadership...or a complete lack of boundaries.
Probably a little of both.
After the success of "The Fantastiks," the Pauper Players were on a roll. I worked with the chaplains to raise funds for United Ministries by performing "Godspell" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on Parents Weekends.
And here's the wild thing: At the time, I had no idea I was building the foundation for what would become my life's work.
But years later, those same ideas - bringing people together, using music and storytelling to serve others - became what I do every day through Arts Ignite, the nonprofit I founded to support young people, now celebrating its 20th year.
And over time, that work has reached more than 45,000 kids. 45,000. That's just a skosh smaller than Wilson, North Carolina.
That's 45,000 kids who maybe didn't think they were creative.
Kids who didn't always feel seen.
Kids who just needed someone to say, "Your voice matters."
I think about one student in particular: a kid who didn't speak much English, wouldn't make eye contact, and spent most of the first day hiding in the back of the room.
And by the end of the program, that same student was the first one to arrive every day, asking if they could lead the warm-ups, standing in front of the group, stepping into leadership.
And I remember thinking that student is why this work matters.
And I can draw a straight line from that moment right back to a college student standing on this campus, with a big idea and absolutely no idea how to pull it off.
Which is why I want you to hear this: The things you're building right now, the thing that might feel small or uncertain or a little scrappy, it might matter more than you can possibly imagine.
It might impact more lives than you could dream.
Because here's the weird thing about life and the passage of time: You often don't know what is changing your life while it's happening. You only see it when you look back.
And a gentle watchpoint - when you're taking all those big swings, and experiencing those changes in real time, well-meaning people who care deeply about you will want to protect you.
After graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue musical theater.
People genuinely tried to be supportive, but they had watched enough Law & Order to be fairly certain this was not going to end well for me.
And when I told them what I wanted to do, I got a lot of, "That's so...brave."
You know the vibe.
It sounds a whole lot like "bless your heart."
One of my favorite mentors sat me down before I left. He knew my financial situation was tight, and he told me he was worried about me.
He said, "I know how talented you are. But I've seen a lot of talented people try this and fail. I think you might fail. And if you do, you'll regret not taking the safer opportunities in front of you."
And every once in a while in life you get a moment of clarity. You just know something, even if you can't fully explain why.
I told my mentor, "I know you care about me. And I know what you're saying is true.
But I'm not afraid of failing.
I'm afraid of not trying."
And just to be clear, I have failed. Many times.
Just...not permanently.
So I'll say this to you: When you hear that voice inside you, when you've got a big idea, when you're making a big decision...listen to that deep-down voice.
Even when it doesn't make perfect sense.
Sometimes especially then.
And please, please, don't be afraid to fail.
Because you will. You are going to fail. You'll be bad at something. You'll embarrass yourself. I still do, regularly.
At this point, I've decided to call it "growth." Doesn't that sound evolved?
Failure is not the opposite of success.
Failure is an absolutely necessary and inevitable part of the journey.
It's part of the path.
If I could go back and talk to the version of myself sitting where you are, here's a few things I would say to younger me:
Whatever you think your life is going to be...it won't be exactly that.
And that's okay.
It might be more exciting. It might also be harder. There will be unexpected turns - some joyful, some painful.
Embrace all of it.
Oh yeah, and find your people, the ones who will stand with you through all of it.
And this - we are wired to look at the people who have what we want and wonder what we're doing wrong.
We rarely take stock of what we are doing right. We talk about counting our blessings but rarely actually do.
Remember to do both.
It will keep you grounded. And it will keep you grateful.
And if you have the chance to help someone along the way, take it.
And another thing, there is no finish line where everything suddenly clicks into place.
No job, no relationship, no achievement, no amount of money is going to make you permanently happy.
If it did, somebody would have written a book about it, and we'd all have bought it.
So don't wait for your life to begin.
You are already in it.
It's happening right now!
Live it fully.
As you leave here today, know that you don't need to have it all figured out.
You probably won't. I still don't.
Some things you CAN count on: Your life will surprise you. It will challenge you. It will break your heart sometimes.
And it may also be more beautiful than you can possibly imagine.
And finally, I encourage you to pay close attention when something deep inside you says, "this matters."
Be brave enough to listen.
Because the truth is, the people who build meaningful lives aren't the ones who never fail...they're the ones who dared to try.
Congratulations, Class of 2026.
Go make the world a better place for the rest of us.
Commencement 2026 >
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Original text here: https://www.furman.edu/news/commencement-address-by-mary-mitchell-campbell-96-musician-and-volunteer/
