Text: Outgoing SGA President Austin McKee’s remarks during Maryville College Commencement exercises on May 9, 2026
May 11, 2026
Austin McKee ’26, who served as president of the Maryville College Student Government Association during his senior year, delivered the traditional welcome remarks from that office to the Class of 2026 during MC Commencement exercises on May 9, 2026. Here is the full text of his remarks.
Good morning, everyone!
My name is Austin McKee, and I have had the pleasure of serving as Maryville College’s student body president for the past year. To family, friends, administration and anyone else who decided to take time out of their day to celebrate the Class of 2026, I am honored to welcome you all to the place that’s been home to so many of us.
For this speech, I want to focus on what made my time here special: community.
I didn’t come here as a “traditional” student. As an older transfer, I was plagued with worries that I wouldn’t fit in or get that “college experience” everyone talks about. But as I joined clubs and attended classes, those fears dwindled. Even without a freshman orientation or that extra year to bond, I found myself feeling wholly connected to friends across this campus.
That community extends to our faculty, too. Walking into a classroom here doesn’t feel intimidating; instead, there’s a captivating desire to learn because of the trust our educators build with us. That personal devotion has shaped us into the scholars we are today and paved our way for everything that comes after graduation.
I want to share a quote from one of my favorite writers: James Baldwin.
“Most of us, no matter what we say, are walking in the dark, whistling in the dark. Nobody knows what is going to happen to him from one moment to the next, or how one will bear it.”
I believe this sentiment helps epitomize what many of us might be feeling during this transitional period. Graduation, while exciting, can be really confusing and frightening. That uncertainty can leave us disoriented, looking for answers. If you feel this way, I encourage you to reflect on what you’ve gained here at Maryville College.
Think of the friendships you’ll cherish for years to come, the administrators who have helped guide you through the difficult times, encouraging you to succeed. Think of the personal resilience you’ve shown to get to this moment. Once you’ve done that, I think you’ll find the darkness isn’t so suffocating anymore. Light can find subtle ways of creeping in; you just have to allow yourself to embrace it.
For me, that light, that warmth and comfort, is the community I’ve found here. It’s prepared me for even greater opportunities. I encourage the Class of 2026 to find their own “light” and frame their time as a Scot as a moment of growth and development, leading them to limitless possibilities.
I’m honored to be walking across the stage with all of you, and I can’t wait to see all of the amazing things I know you’ll do.
Thank you.