Keep your eye on your goal, graduates told
By Jennifer Johnson | news@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:44 pm on 8/1/2009
The key to success is simple, recently retired gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan told a crowd of University of Georgia graduates and their families packed into Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday morning.
"See it. Say it. Do it."
Yoculan recalled the nerve-wracking moments before UGA gymnast Courtney Kupets attempted her final vault at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships in April.
Kupets was standing very still with her eyes closed when Yoculan approached to offer a coach's words of encouragement.
Before she could speak, Kupets turned to her, told her to relax and said that she would stick the landing. Kupets made a perfect 10, clinching the title for the Gym Dogs.
Kupets, like her teammates, visualizes what she wants to happen, says it out loud and then goes for it.
"I'm confident that you visualized many, many times, this day - your graduation day," she said. "You saw it, you said it, and you did it."
About 1,300 UGA students followed through on their education goals this summer, capping the accomplishment with Saturday's dual ceremony for undergraduate and graduate students.
While undergraduates outnumber grad students on UGA's campus, many master's and specialist programs wrap up in summer, university President Michael Adams pointed out to the crowd. In all, 144 doctoral and 441 master's and specialist in education degrees were awarded in addition to the more than 700 bachelor's degrees.
Two undergraduates were recognized for perfect records. Dustin Charles Elliott (philosophy) and George Frederick Akers (advertising) maintained 4.0 grade-point averages to be named First Honor Graduates. "You're now in a position as a graduate that the world will expect uncommon things from you," Adams told the graduates.
Yoculan echoed the sentiment.
"In 2009, the pressure is on for people to perform at their best, and you cannot do that without a clear picture," Yoculan said. "The most important thing you need to do today is to begin your picture."
Charles Barnes already is following Yoculan's advice. Barnes knew he wanted to become a school counselor, and after a year-long program at UGA, the 40-year-old is set to work in the DeKalb county school system as an intervention specialist.
"I feel like anyone who comes through the professional school counseling program will leave well-equipped to be an effective school counselor," said Barnes.
For some students, the transition from the academic world to the working world will be seamless.
Already employed at Oconee County Middle School as a chorus teacher, Shelynn Scott, 29, will go into the new school year with a master's degree in music education from UGA. "I think I'll miss the concerts and football games most," Scott said.
Unlike Scott, some graduating students have uncertain futures.
Courtney Belcher, 22, began at Georgia as a fashion merchandising major before realizing what she really wanted to do was teach the second grade. She graduated Saturday with a bachelor of arts in child and family development, but isn't sure when she'll reach that next goal.
"I'd really like to teach in the fall, but since the economy is kind of rough right now. I might go back to school in January to get my master's," Belcher said.
Despite the job market, many students are optimistic about finding employment.
San Diego-native Jennifer Cross transferred to UGA from Georgia State University after a six-year stint in the military helped her pay for school.
Now, armed with a degree in criminal justice, Cross, 27, wants to do something in law enforcement at the federal level.
"I'm moving back to my hometown," she said. "I don't have a job, but I'm going to start looking."
The future successes of the graduating class and those of the university's championship sports teams start in the same place, said Yoculan.
"Our teams see themselves on the victory stand. We keep the picture clear by talking about it, but then we focus on the day-to-day details," said Yoculan. "Yes, life is a journey, but the journey goes nowhere without a clear picture."
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Sunday, August 02, 2009
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