It's now my pleasure to introduce our alumni speaker.
A phi-beta-kappa and sum cum laude graduate and a remarkable human being- Stepen Barton.
Stephen graduated in 2012 from Syracuse, where he studied international relations, economics and russian language literature
and culture. As a student, he earned many distinctions for his outstanding scholarship and leadership including
recognition as a foreign scholar, rememberance scholar, university scholar and class martial.
A survivor of the horrific 2012 mass-shooting in Aurora, Colorado just 2 months after he graduated.
He has since worked on the national stage to curb gun violence and in Russia in full bright scholarship.
Please join me now in welcoing Stephen Barton. [Crowd Cheering]
Good Morning and thank you Professor Anderson for that introduction.
A little over two years ago, I stood on this platform, at this podium and in these robes and in this dome to give a commencement speech
for my graduating class. I was nervous. Mostly about being at the wall I backed for Aaron Sorkin.
Syracuse alumnus and creative genius behind 'A few good men, 'The West Wing', 'Social Network', 'The Newsroom' among others
While Sorkin may have given a better speech, I can pretty confidently say, I have cooler plans for the summer
I was about to embark in a cross-country cycling trip with my best friend Ethan from Virginia beach to San Franscisco.
We have been planning this journey for a few yeas as a sort-of cathartic, post-graduate odyssey.
'Go west young man!' But for the 21st century. In my best friend's words, "We would ride on metal seats side-by-side often to the sunset."
While the trip wasn't quite as glamorous and all that. For one there was a lot of chafing.
But it was still a thrilling, eye-opening adventure.
Ethan and I met countless fascinating hospitable strangers, all while passing through our country's most beautiful landscapes.
By the time we reached Denver in late-July, we felt unstoppable.
An acquaintance very generously invited us to stay with her. So we decided to treat her and us, the midnight premiere of the Dark Knight Rises.
The newest batman movie at the Aurora Central Movie theatre.
Yes, that movie on that night and that Aurora in that theatre. And of all moment, on the 44th day of our trip
A number that is dear to the heart of every Syracuse sports fan.
I was hit in the head and torso by shot and blast before I fully realized what was happening.
I remember hearing Ethan, who was not wounded, yelling at a 911 dispatcher through his cellphone
Our host of the night, who sat between us, and who's ticket we brought out of gratitude for her hospitality
had been shot in the head. A winding, unpredictable cross-country trip had led us to one of the worst mass-shooting's
in America's history. In a few short seconds, I had gone from feeling unstoppable to eminently mortal.
I thought I was going to die but I didn't feel ready at all. I was 22. I just graduated from one of the best university in the country
with three degrees, top of my class. I had a full- right grant to teach in Russia and an offer from Teach for America, North Carolina
If nothing else, I had a cross-country trip to finish. I was able to escape to the parking lot where I found a police officer
who's quick thinking saved my life.
My best friend Ethan escaped without physical injury and our host survived miraculously without serious damage to her brain
I woke up two doors down from her in the intensive care unit of the hospital
a few hours after surgery. Filled with more than 20 peices of lead and a renewed sense of vitality.
Truly after I was released from the hospital, I returned to my home in Connecticut
where I found a package from an unknown sender, sitting patiently at the front door.
and included was a letter which I would like to share now with all of you.
"Good Morning, Stephen. Many many tears came as we heard the tragedy in Colorado at the batman movie
It was time to pray for all of you and I did.
In June 1955, I married my high school Casanovia Central sweetheart
and we lived in Syracuse University housing. Roger was a junior.
On June 3rd, 1957 he graduate in Archbold Stadium. John F. Kennedy, Senator of Massachusetts gave the address
A few years ago, we moved to Virginia from Skeneatles because Parkinson was affecting Roger's life.
We wanted to be near our family. Later, Roger fell and broke his hip, which brought him dementia and his world became a challenge.
We shared 56 and half years together at the time of his death, last december.
I wanted to give you Roger's SU t-shirt which he bought as a SU alumni.
May you have good health, peace, love and be safe on your bicycle. Blessings to you and others, Alan
This was just one of countless packages, letters, messages, and text I received from people connected to Syracuse
in the weeks and months following the shooting. Their support inspired me during the lowest parts of my recovery
when I questioned, what happen to me and why! And the people of Syracuse continued to inspire me.
Whenever, physical therapy gets tough, I remember meeting fellow students who survived cancer at the Relay for Life fundraiser.
that takes place every Spring, inside the Dome. Whenever my mind strays to dark places
I channel the strength of the survivors of sexual relationship violence who I heard bravely tell the story every year
at the Take Back the Night rally in March.
Whenever, I start to pity myselft I think of the many families I met while volunteering for the Habitat for Humanity in the city of Syracuse
People that overcame their own setbacks and challenges to finally buy their first home and turn their life around.
Today, you officially enter into this amazing, inspiring, Orange family that stretches all across the city
the country, and even the world. Look around you and your fellow classmates, your new brothers and sisters
Like most siblings you might not always get along, but you always be there in times of need.
All of you collectively will be responsible for creating a culture of mutual respect, understanding and safety.
Spend time with your classmates even if they don't look, sound or think like you.
Because they are the one's from whom you learn the most
Just take it from me, the guy who lived in an open double with a gay roommate from Jamaica
who had an inclination to speak with a proper british accent.
I think I learned more during the first four weeks at the Day Hall than all 4 years of my high school.
Whenever you had a party off-campus, and yes you might have heard we do have parties from time-to-time here at Syracuse
Whenever you are at a party off-campus don't just stand idley by if you see someone else in trouble
Speak-up just as you wish someone else would do on your behalf.
And if you are ever in doubt, just think about my pen-pal Alan who reached out to a stranger during the lowest moment of his life
What would Alan do? The coming weeks or months are going to be challenging. They are for everyone.
But don't worry if you don't find your best friends here during the first semester. It took me 2 years.
Just support each other, as good siblings do. And before you know it, it will be that day 4 years from now
when you will be in this Dome, in these robes walking across this platform behind this podium
I can promise you mom and dad will cry again
Congratulations classes of 2018 and 2019 and your families! Thank you!
[Crowd Cheering]