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The Daily Home - Bentley speaks to AIDB grads
Gov. Robert Bentley and Alabama Power President Charles McCrary served as guest speakers for Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind’s commencement ceremony Thursday morning in Hawkins Chapel.
AIDB President Terry Graham introduced both speakers and thanked them for accepting the invitation to speak at the ceremony despite their busy schedules due mostly to the devastation left behind by the deadly tornados that hit the state in late April.
“We have two of Alabama’s top leaders, two of Alabama’s greatest leaders here to speak to the AIDB family,” Graham said.
Graham introduced Bentley, who brought everyone to their feet in applause as he started towards the podium.
“You know the only thing I remember about baccalaureate and commencement addresses is that I was glad when they were done,” Bentley said as the audience laughed.
Bentley said that although a lot had been going on throughout the state, he made it a special point to be at AIDB for their commencement ceremony.
“I came here to speak to you directly to tell you how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve done,” Bentley said to the graduates.
Bentley also said that he had been working together with Graham to increase AIDB’s funds for next year and get them back on solid financial footing.
“I know as hard as you’ve worked you will not stop here,” Bentley said to the graduates.
He encouraged the graduates to be servant leaders, and stressed how important it was for them to continue to work hard and overcome obstacles
“There’s no such thing as retirement in the Bible,” Bentley said. “Only people at Alabama Power talk about retirement,” Bentley joked.
Bentley said that as governor, he is not perfect, but listens to others and learns from others, and encouraged the graduates to do the same.
“The Bible says that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made,” Bentley said.
“God has a purpose for us. I was put in this place to do a special job, and you will be put in a place to do a special job.”
During the ceremony, several students from Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and the Helen Keller School shared reflections of their time at AIDB.
The AIDB Ensemble comprised of Alabama School for the Blind instrumentalists and vocalists, Helen Keller School vocalists and singers, and Alabama School for the Deaf singers performed “What I Did for Love.”
AIDB Board of Trustees President Jake Montgomery thanked the AIDB staff for “doing more with less,” and thanked the graduates’ parents and loved ones for entrusting AIDB with their children.
“I am convinced that your teachers have given you the knowledge and the ability to go into the world and be successful,” Montgomery said to the graduates.
“I feel like I am signing a ticket for your new life and I am sure you will take that diploma, that ticket, and be successful in your life.”
McCrary delivered his address to the graduates through the use of several life lessons he learned throughout his career.
“You are just now getting started and the accomplishments will only grow,” McCrary said. “You’re just getting to see what the world is like.”
McCrary told students about the importance of being accountable, treating everyone with dignity, having honesty and integrity, and enjoying life.
“I tell my employees if you get up and hate going to work, you need to change jobs,” McCrary said. “Life is too short.
“To the students I say you have made your loved ones proud and they’re all smiling. God bless.”
The ceremony came to an end as ASD graduate LaQuita Carroll led the benediction in sign language, and the teary-eyed graduates exited the chapel to “Pomp and Circumstance” during the recessional.
Gov. Robert Bentley and Alabama Power President Charles McCrary served as guest speakers for Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind’s commencement ceremony Thursday morning in Hawkins Chapel.
AIDB President Terry Graham introduced both speakers and thanked them for accepting the invitation to speak at the ceremony despite their busy schedules due mostly to the devastation left behind by the deadly tornados that hit the state in late April.
“We have two of Alabama’s top leaders, two of Alabama’s greatest leaders here to speak to the AIDB family,” Graham said.
Graham introduced Bentley, who brought everyone to their feet in applause as he started towards the podium.
“You know the only thing I remember about baccalaureate and commencement addresses is that I was glad when they were done,” Bentley said as the audience laughed.
Bentley said that although a lot had been going on throughout the state, he made it a special point to be at AIDB for their commencement ceremony.
“I came here to speak to you directly to tell you how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve done,” Bentley said to the graduates.
Bentley also said that he had been working together with Graham to increase AIDB’s funds for next year and get them back on solid financial footing.
“I know as hard as you’ve worked you will not stop here,” Bentley said to the graduates.
He encouraged the graduates to be servant leaders, and stressed how important it was for them to continue to work hard and overcome obstacles
“There’s no such thing as retirement in the Bible,” Bentley said. “Only people at Alabama Power talk about retirement,” Bentley joked.
Bentley said that as governor, he is not perfect, but listens to others and learns from others, and encouraged the graduates to do the same.
“The Bible says that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made,” Bentley said.
“God has a purpose for us. I was put in this place to do a special job, and you will be put in a place to do a special job.”
During the ceremony, several students from Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and the Helen Keller School shared reflections of their time at AIDB.
The AIDB Ensemble comprised of Alabama School for the Blind instrumentalists and vocalists, Helen Keller School vocalists and singers, and Alabama School for the Deaf singers performed “What I Did for Love.”
AIDB Board of Trustees President Jake Montgomery thanked the AIDB staff for “doing more with less,” and thanked the graduates’ parents and loved ones for entrusting AIDB with their children.
“I am convinced that your teachers have given you the knowledge and the ability to go into the world and be successful,” Montgomery said to the graduates.
“I feel like I am signing a ticket for your new life and I am sure you will take that diploma, that ticket, and be successful in your life.”
McCrary delivered his address to the graduates through the use of several life lessons he learned throughout his career.
“You are just now getting started and the accomplishments will only grow,” McCrary said. “You’re just getting to see what the world is like.”
McCrary told students about the importance of being accountable, treating everyone with dignity, having honesty and integrity, and enjoying life.
“I tell my employees if you get up and hate going to work, you need to change jobs,” McCrary said. “Life is too short.
“To the students I say you have made your loved ones proud and they’re all smiling. God bless.”
The ceremony came to an end as ASD graduate LaQuita Carroll led the benediction in sign language, and the teary-eyed graduates exited the chapel to “Pomp and Circumstance” during the recessional.
