President Trietley, Members of the Board of Trustees, Faculty, Administration, Families, friends, and fellow graduates; Welcome to the 2023 Viterbo University Commencement Ceremony. My name is Lana Yeakel, and I am graduating today with my BSN and minor in servant leadership. I was asked by the commencement committee to reflect on how Viterbo’s core values of hospitality, service, contemplation, integrity, and stewardship, have impacted me during my time here. Completing college is no easy feat, and I would not be graduating today if I did not have the correct tools to help me succeed.
I envision myself at the beginning of college at the base of a mountain. Without the proper equipment, the climb is nearly impossible. Over my four years at Viterbo University, I have assembled a toolkit that can be used on any of life’s adventures. This toolkit contains Viterbo’s core values that will continue to guide my life’s journey. I now approach the summit, reflecting on the individual pieces of my toolkit which are responsible for where I am today.
The first tools I added were service and hospitality. My education taught me to serve the common good with the warmth of Franciscan hospitality. Just as I was welcomed into this community, I welcomed new students with open arms. Each fall, we enthusiastically welcome new students to Viterbo University. I remember move-in day quite fondly, as I immediately felt at home thanks to the helpful students and staff that helped my family and I move into my dorm room. I know that I am not alone in this experience as the warmth of Franciscan hospitality has touched us all. I have become a servant leader during my time here, choosing to serve first, and lead second. The Viterbo community presents us with countless opportunities to serve those in need, whether it’s through Service Saturdays, VUSM 300, or your student-lead organizations. Hospitality and service are the rope and belay, connecting us together and propelling us upward towards the common good.
During my journey, I have encountered pitfalls and hardships. Contemplation and integrity have helped me out of the depths and guided me towards the summit. Adapting to an online education during the pandemic was a real test of our values and perseverance. I used God as my guide, and contemplation as my compass to remain on the correct path. Integrity is the lamp that illuminates darkness and vanquishes dishonesty. My definition of integrity has evolved during my years here. Not only to be used in an academic setting but also to protect my future patients from harm. Through the value of stewardship, I have kept the mountain path clear for the students just beginning their climb. With the toolkit given to them by Viterbo University, they too shall reach the summit.
We stand now at the top of the mountain, admiring the climb and all the hard work it took to get here. Not only did our toolkit help us to reach the summit, but our family, friends, classmates, and professors were just as impactful in our journey. I’d like to take a moment of silence to remember those who were once part of our journey but are now supporting us from above.
Looking to the future, many other mountains await us. The next mountain may be grad school, beginning your career as a young professional, or becoming a parent. While these climbs may seem daunting, remember your toolkit that has helped you to reach this summit which once seemed impossible. With Viterbo University’s values of service, hospitality, contemplation, integrity, and stewardship, anything is possible.
Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Go V-Hawks!