Krystal Jamell Hardy

Good Evening!
I am Krystal Hardy, a current senior at the University of Notre Dame and proud member of the McNair class of 2006. First, I would like to thank our scholars’ community for selecting me for the opportunity to stand before you this evening. I can’t express how honored I feel to have been chosen to speak on behalf of the 29 scholars here tonight.

First, to the faculty mentors, program staff, and visiting guests:
Thank you for EVERYTHING you’ve done for us. Thank you for choosing us and believing in our potential as scholars. You’ve guided us in the right direction and helped build our confidence in engaging in such a huge academic endeavor. We are grateful for your time, effort, and energy spent ensuring that we would arrive at our final destination and indeed a point of new beginnings.

Scholars:
It has been quite an adventurous summer. We’ve had our ups and downs. We’ve celebrated each other’s successes in our coursework, and encouraged each other in our research endeavors. We’ve learned so much about the research process, graduate school requirements, and the world of possibilities offered by a graduate degree. At times, we may have considered other alternatives to graduate school, but through it all, we’ve persevered and enjoyed the journey along the way. Tonight, I want to remind you of one of the major themes of our summer experience…the theme of true community. In true community, members surpass a superficial exchange of words. Instead, they really get to know one another, engage quality discussion, and in their own ways, hold each other accountable for their individual and collective well-being. From morning classes to late night conversations, it is at the heart of our genuine community that we were challenged, yet affirmed…and reminded of our goals, yet enlightened about the path we will soon travel. In the formation of a community, as well as any immersion into a new environment, we must understand that each member possesses a unique gift and talent. We’re all priceless. We MUST learn to embrace ourselves in our totality (our backgrounds, our personality, the way we speak, and even our intellectual interests), Lest we will never be able to fully appreciate the uniqueness we individually and collectively bring. Scholars, In terms of your graduate plans, know that your voice IS important. Its necessary. There IS no mistake that you’ve completed this program; you, yes YOU, have a VOICE to contribute to the ongoing conversation of your respective disciplines and indeed the world.

In closing, I leave you with the following poem…written by Marianne Williamson and stated in Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inaugural address:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Scholars, Program Staff, and Visiting Guests, I encourage you to understand who you are and what YOU have to offer the world. To whom much is given, much is also due. Within each of us lies a wellspring of greatness. Now I ask you, what will you give?