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Wesleyan celebrates 130th commencement ceremonies

Photo courtesy of West Virginia Wesleyan College Rev. Sandra Steiner Ball, Resident Bishop of the WV Conference of the United Methodist Church, speaks to graduates after the West Virginia Wesleyan College Baccalaureate.

BUCKHANNON — West Virginia Wesleyan College held its 130th commencement ceremonies outdoors at Cebe Ross Field on Sunday morning.

Dr. Patrice Harris, the first Black woman to serve as president of the American Medical Association and a West Virginia native, served as the keynote speaker.

Harris grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Arts in counseling psychology and her medical degree all from West Virginia University. Harris has chaired the AMA Opioid Task Force since its creation in 2014.

“Here’s a little bit of advice and I hope wisdom from lessons learned,” Harris told the graduating class Sunday morning.

“First, be curious. As much as you’ve already read — and I know you’ve read a lot — read more,” she said. “Commit to being a lifelong learner. Be curious and open and willing to learn from others. Particularly others who don’t live near you, look like you or believe like you.

“Be a critical thinker. Use and hone those critical thinking skills. Ask questions about the world around you. You know, there’s so much misinformation and disinformation out there. It’s up to us to use our critical thinking skills and decide what we should keep and what we should throw away.

“Be open to inter-generational learning,” she said. “I know your parents and grandparents will be glad to hear me say this. There is so much we can learn from each other. No generation has the market cornered on wisdom.

“Be self-aware. Be willing to challenge your own assumptions and to self-correct when you discover something new. A fixed mindset never accomplishes anything.

“Be kind and think of others. During this past year of isolation and political and racial tension, this virtue may seem to have fallen out of fashion. Yet many of us have been touched by those who have extended kindness,” Harris said. “Exhausted nurses who say yes to another shift. A community or family who purchase a meal for healthcare workers on the front line, or neighbors or even strangers. Vaccine ‘sherpas’ who find appointments for seniors who may not be computer savvy.

“Say yes. Opportunites that come your way may take you out of your comfort zone, but know that you are prepared. Know that all your have learned along your journey has prepared you to say yes.”

WVWC also hosted three official activities Friday, including the School of Nursing Convocation, the Kente and International Stole Ceremony and Baccalaureate. All four events were streamed live on the internet.

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