- Christian.
- Coach how are you?
- What's up, buddy?
How are you, man?
- Doing well, how are you? - Good to see you.
- Nice to see you too.
- Grab a seat.
- Awesome.
- Got a, got a nice letter here for you to read.
- Oh wow.
- Oh no.
- We wrote you letters that we would like you to read.
- So I have a letter for you.
- Okay
- That I wrote.
- Oh!
- Dear Destiny,
- Dear Jai,
- Dear Christian,
- Dear Austin,
- Dear Anna,
First, congratulations on graduating with two majors
close to my heart, math and music.
- From the moment we met
in an advising meeting in August of your freshman year,
I was amused by your single mindedness and determination.
- As you prepare to watch the beautiful sunset
of your Lafayette season and start the beginning
of your next life journey,
I wanted to remind you of your superpowers.
- Through everything you've encountered
during your collegiate career,
you've remained a vital member of our team.
You have contagious energy, and your teammates love you.
- I think back to our conversations over the past few years
you were one of my first students I met
and I still sense that drive and passion
when things got tough.
- I got to know you when you were a sophomore
taking abstract algebra,
and I remember long office hour sessions,
usually with several of your classmates.
Your easy, friendly manner was so inviting
that you were often in the center of these groups.
Watching you explain a tricky concept you had just learned
was a lot of fun for me and the other students, I hope.
- You have an amazing gift of making everyone feel
like family and that they belong.
As a new professor, you welcomed me with open arms
into your Posse family at a Posse Plus Retreat.
I hope as a member of my IT Lab family
I was able to return the kindness
and give you warm and fuzzies.
- You're a glue guy who is constantly looking to
enhance team chemistry
and bring a positive perspective to the table.
Not only have you succeeded within this program
but you are an extraordinary student
who has also succeeded in the classroom.
- I feel gratitude for my many days
of laughter, the memories of summer field work,
and the impact that you've had on me.
Getting a little lost in the woods
searching for vernal pools,
our disgust upon discovery of ticks on ourselves.
Not on me.
It was on me.
While eating lunch after a morning of field work.
- I have been so blessed the past two years to have you
as my student assistant in percussion ensemble.
Your organizational skills
and your captivating personality combine to
make you a valuable leader in every way.
This will serve you well, Anna,
in whatever career you pursue.
The fact that a room lights up whenever you enter
has little to do with the electricity.
Your presence makes it happen.
- Watching you transition from student to scientist
has been one of my greatest professor joys.
Your brilliance shines from your head, hands, and heart.
Whether it's critically thinking about your groundbreaking
cancer research results, isolating DNA from patient tumors,
using Des Naild It perfectly manicured hands,
or taking time out of your busy schedule
to help others.
Oh, you're about to make me cry.
- I'm also grateful that you have trusted me,
confided in me, and allowed me to mentor you
and share my experience with you
during these critical years of your college experience.
- I speak on behalf of the entire Lafayette community
when I say I am proud of you,
and at the same time,
you should be proud of yourself.
My piece of advice for the future are all
things that you should have heard from me before.
Continue to reach out when you need help.
Know that you have a whole community behind you
cheering you on.
I'm only one email or phone call away.
You will always be remembered as a worker,
a fighter, and a resilient,
positive young man who made a lasting impact
on the Lafayette lacrosse program.
- Your ambition, your work, your wit, your brilliance,
your integrity, your strength, and your unique
Austin approach to problem solving.
I will always be your cheerleader. Much love,
Meg.
Stop.
Aw.
- Thank you.
- Thank you. - For everything.
It's been a joy.
- It has been.
- With love and respect, Coach Myers.
Thank you so much.
- Proud of you big guy.
Bring it in here.
Absolutely. Absolutely. Glad you got to read that.
- I look forward to staying in touch.
I have no doubt that you are well-prepared
for your next journey. Let the next dream begin.
Thank you so much, Dean Cox.
I really appreciate this.
- You're welcome. You're welcome.
- This is too nice, too nice.
- Absolutely. Well, bring it back in man.
- Thank you so much, Dean.
I really appreciate it.
- Yeah. Yeah.
- Thank you Anna, for making our days brighter.
With love and respect, Doc.
Thank you.
- We'll miss you.
- I'll miss you too.
I'll miss both of you.
- With hugs and happiness, Khadijah.
Oh my God.
Why did you have to say all of that?
- So proud of you.
- Thank you.
I appreciate it so much.
I was telling myself the whole time,
I was like "don't cry, don't cry, don't cry."
(Khadijah laughs)
Oh my God.
- I guess I'm supposed to give you tissues.
(both laughing)
- They knew that were going to cry.
- How did they know?