Morgan Brianna Furness, CGUS Valedictorian, Fall 2022 Having the opportunity to be an athlete while pursuing my degree has been an amazing privilege. During my time here as a student- athlete, we have beat teams for the first time in program history, won the conference and even went to Nationals for the very first time. These are all experiences from the University I will cherish for a lifetime. As this chapter closes in our educational experience, it is important to remember that this is not the end of our education. Every day is a new day to learn something new and to grow from it. Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate is a choice we all decided to make a few years ago. In our time seeking these degrees, we have also changed as people. Each of these classes have altered us as individuals that will last a lifetime. We have developed connections with fellow students, professors and staff. These are the bonds that have shaped and changed us. I’m thankful for my three and a half years at Life University and the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve come across some professors who’ve inspired me of new ways of thinking, students who have had my back when I needed it most, and staff and coaches who have pushed me to keep asking, ‘What does my best version of myself look like?’ In this exact moment, there were no expectations to be perfect, just expectations for me to be me. Christina Marie Ricci, COC Valedictorian, Fall 2022 If there’s a common thread that binds this graduating class together, it would have to be perseverance. The chiropractic program is challenging without added obstacles, and we had quite a few between the pandemic, virtual school and multiple clinic changes. This quarter had to overcome a lot of adversity. When we started the program, I was pleasantly surprised at how supportive and kind the people in my quarter were. I loved the first few quarters where we all got to be in the same classes all day, and we really got to know each other. We became a tight-knit group as we continued through the program. Even when I doubted myself, there were always classmates to encourage me to keep pushing. Life’s going to throw many challenges our way, and the way we react and overcome these is what’s going to set us apart. Personally, I had many ups and downs throughout the program as I imagine everyone did. I had several breakdowns and moments where I was just unsure of myself, and I couldn’t see the big picture. I know many of us went through similar stresses juggling our class load, clubs, extracurriculars, families, illness, finances, and the list goes on. Many of us were far from home, and we had to miss important events to prioritize our education. All these sacrifices we made ultimately led us to this moment where we finally get to become Doctors of Chiropractic and serve our community. I’m incredibly proud of this group of graduates, and I’m excited to see the impact each one of us has as we go and begin our careers. Guste Klimasauskaite, CGUS Valedictorian, Winter 2023 Today isn’t just any old Friday; this day marks the end of one chapter in our book of life. For students, this is a moment of reflection on how hard you’ve all worked to reach this point – physically, mentally, emotionally. For teachers and staff, this is yet another example of your experience and support, having truly impacted the success of a fire-filled cohort. And for friends and family, it is a prideful time to look back on. As you ponder and NEWS AND EVENTS OF LIFE UNIVERSITY EXCERPTS FROM Valedictorian Speeches Morgan Brianna Furness Christina Marie Ricci Guste Klimasauskaite 7 Alumni.life.edu | 2023