By Diana Anderson, President and CEO
Yesterday, I was honored to speak at Ridgewater College’s commencement in Hutchinson. I’m incredibly proud of these graduates for choosing to continue their education and training. The class of 2017 includes first-time and first generation college students, students who came back to finish their degree, those continuing their career or starting in a new field. It took hard work and dedication for them to reach this milestone.
I challenged the graduates to continue their hard work and dedication. We need them at their best to succeed in the workforce and to take their place in our communities. I also encouraged them to consider the possibilities southwest Minnesota holds for them.
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was a businessman, soldier, conservationist and the 26th President of the United States. He challenged everyday citizens to, “Do what you can, where you are, and with what you have.”
I challenge all of us to reach out to recent graduates—high school and college. Tell them about opportunities with your business or industry, or about why our communities are good places to live and raise families. Tell them you want them to call this region home for the next chapter of their life, and show them what a great life that could be.
