2022 Graduation Magazine

Page 78 CLASS OF 2022 LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM MAY / JUNE 2022 Phelon said he was honored to receive the doctorate. He then recounted that as a youth in high school he heard many a time from his teachers that he was not destined to succeed in life. “I can remember in high school when teachers would say Michael, you are not cut out for college. Michael, you will never go anywhere. You can’t do anything. I would love to tell that teacher or that counselor to kick rocks; look at me today!” Phelon told the graduates that they should be very proud of the things they have accomplished. He said that each one had more than likely faced struggles and challenges in the educational journey, but they had made it to the end and were now graduating. He said it didn’t matter if they had a grade point average or 4.0 or much less, it was still a source of pride to receive that diploma. The GPA is not recorded on your diploma. He then drew laughs when he said “but it is on your transcript, so you might want to hide that thing.” Phelon spoke about his connections in life that had brought him to founding ‘The Outlet.’ He kept moving forward working to achieve his dream of helping others. He told the students that they too should keep moving forward in life, even when they experience fear, uncertainty. He said when some tells you, you can’t, you need to know that you can. And you should keep moving forward. He said that when he was in college, his goal was to succeed, to pass. He said that is the dream of those here today, but he hoped that through their education they have developed new dreams for the future that they will now work to achieve. He said continually throughout his address that no matter what, it is a matter of “keep moving,” always working, always striving to achieve. Doctorate of Humane Letters Rev. Glenn Shelton Retired Pastor Second Baptist Church Lincoln College Honorary Trustee Community Public Servant Sponsor: Lincoln College Trustee Laura Beltchenko Continue 8