Spring Commencement 2012

David Porter

This spring's commencement address was delivered by Microsoft Corporation vice president David Porter, who received a bachelor's degree in finance from ECU in 1987 and went on to work for Walmart and DreamWorks Animation before accepting his current position.

Porter talked to graduates about the relationships he had developed with country musician Garth Brooks, and Hollywood actors Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie, and he recommended that graduates embrace the core values of patience and perseverance and "dream big."  Emphasizing the importance of focusing on the role you are currently in, Porter added that "great things will come to you if you let them come to you."  Porter referred to his recent experience heliskiing to illustrate his claim that "fear is a a sign of growth, and it's proof that you are evolving."  He concluded his remarks with the hope that if graduates remember anything from his address it should be this:  "You control you."

I counted eight English majors listed in the program who are candidates for Bachelor's degrees: Kristen Lorraine Auten, Sarah Manette Berger, Kaylie Janae Blackwell, Megan Michelle Cooper, Ryan Michael Madison, Lacey Elliott McFadden, Kaci Leigh Plunkett, and Katie Elizabeth Rowe.  (Please let me know if I overlooked anyone!)

Congratulations to all!