[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER 1: Meant To Be 2016.
SPEAKER 2: Now we're strong.
SPEAKER 3: Meant To Be 2016.
Woo!
[MUSIC - EDWARD ELGAR, "POMP AND
 CIRCUMSTANCE"]
[CHEERING]
JO ALLEN: Greetings,
Class of 2016.
Each year, we ask
our senior class
for suggestions for our
commencement speaker.
And this year, we had a
resounding chorus of requests
for Dr. Ellen Stofan
and with good reason.
Dr. Stofan is recognized as one
of the world's top planetary
scientists.
She doesn't study just one
planet, she studies them all.
In addition to providing our
commencement address today,
Dr. Stofan will also
be the recipient
of our highest academic
honor, the Meredith Honorary
Doctorate.
Dr. Stofan, on
behalf of the faculty
and trustees of Meredith
College and in recognition
of your accomplishments that
are indeed extraordinary,
it is my honor to present
to you this evening
the Doctor of Humane
Letters honoris causa.
[APPLAUSE]
ELLEN STOFAN: It's an
honor and a pleasure
to be amongst the
strong graduates
and alumni of Meredith College.
Congratulations Class of 2016.
You did it.
Don't stop honing your skills
because the more you know,
the more you grow, and
the stronger you become.
You have the ability to
be what you want to be,
just as the many notable
politicians, journalists,
actresses, and others who have
matriculated from Meredith
and walked the same campus have.
Now it's your turn.
But in spite of
adversity and challenges,
we must remain strong.
Although things always
don't go as we planned,
don't stop setting goals
and believing in yourself.
You're not going to
have all the answers.
You may not even have
everybody's support.
But you have what it takes
to be relevant and make
a significant change
in this world.
Go out and continue
to do great things.
Congratulations,
again, Class of 2016.
Go strong.
[APPLAUSE]
JYH-SHING CHEN: We
don't have forever,
so let us make good use of our
time and make every day count.
Let us pursue our dreams,
and at the same time
take the time to love and care
about our families, friends,
colleagues, communities,
and the precious earth.
Let's go strong and
pursue our dreams.
BAILEY BENGE: We're ready
to have lives full of impact
and distinction because
we are taking our Meredith
experience with us.
All of the tools we've gained
and the lessons we've learned
have made us stronger
than ever, and we
are ready to tackle
and take on the future.
We have been strong
women that have accepted
each other, challenged
one another,
and grown in ways
that will help us lead
in our respective fields,
shining our Meredith
locks wherever we go.
We truly are Meant To Be 2016.
Congratulations.
SPEAKER 4: We have now come
to that long-awaited moment
in your lives when you are no
longer students but graduates
of Meredith College.
Bachelor's degree recipients,
please change your tassels
to the left side of
your mortar boards
and change your class rings
to signify your status
as graduates of
Meredith College.
[CHEERING]
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am proud to present
to you, the graduates
of the Class of 2016
of Meredith College.
[CHEERING]
JO ALLEN: We charge you
now to take the Meredith
light into the world.
As you have gained confidence,
knowledge, courage,
and strength, we charge you
now to put those qualities
to work to improve our world.
You are a bright new
light in the world.
Take that giant step forward
into that world and shine.
