Graduation speech - "Advanced Achiever" award - Full Sail University

October 1, 2010

First and foremost, congratulations to all the graduates.  A major accomplishment has been achieved today and you deserve to take some time to enjoy this milestone. 

Thanks especially to my class, the Entertainment Business Masters of Science graduates, for this esteemed honor and awesome pleasure to speak on behalf of you.  This is, by far, the best class I have ever had the opportunity to learn alongside.  Your attitudes, work ethic, and commitment to excellence, which carried us through this program, will also carry us into our careers.  I expect no less than greatness from you guys and I know that there will be no letdowns in that expectation.

Don’t forget all of the people in our lives that helped us to reach this plateau: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, classmates, and instructors that we can now call colleagues in the industry.

I want to thank Full Sail University for this great opportunity to learn from great instructors and business minds.  It is because of the education received here that I am better prepared to launch into the next stage of my life.  Through this program, I learned how to navigate and move about the industry, which will provide me the ability to really make all of my dreams a reality.  An executive leader, a project and team manager, an accomplished author, a music publisher, a difference maker...  I truly have all of the tools necessary to be a successful entrepreneur and start the family of entertainment companies that I have always dreamed of. 

I believe it for you, too.  Each and every one of you.  Establish your goals and GO GET IT.  We set our own limitations.  There is absolutely nothing we cannot accomplish with a made up mind and the will to work hard and see it through.  Dream big.  It truly can be yours.

I urge everyone to believe in yourselves, and your skills, and your preparedness.  All the knowledge we need is there… and we know exactly how to find what we are looking for when we are uncertain, with a little Web Search Optimization, right?

When you feel inspired: ACT!   Follow your gut.  And remember to always:

-       Be thankful. 

-       Be aware. 

-       Show appreciation.

-       Spread love.

-       Be fair. 

-       Stay mindful. 

-       Show compassion. 

-       Love life. 

-       Be happy.

-       Live authentically.

-       Find peace. 

Go forth confidently!

Onward and upwards, my friends.  Marcus Ealy, signing off.