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Letter from the Editor: Commencement Comments

Photo by Katie Morris.

Rebecca Elliott is a graduating senior at PLNU and the editor-in-chief of The Point.

To my fellow graduates, their families and the PLNU community,

A few weeks ago, I sat on the concrete wall in The Greek as the sun slid lower in the sky. It was just a few minutes I could spare between a meeting and dinner with a friend. I would miss the sunset, but I wasn’t worried — I’ve seen more of God’s golden evening paintings than what feels fair. 

As we close the academic year, I reflected on all we absorbed in the last 15 months. We experienced a global pandemic, a movement for civil rights and a particularly divisive election. We unavoidably saw violence, tragedy and trauma reflected on our screens daily. This was the year. It’s easy to wonder how this graduating class is supposed to enter the “real” world with optimism and hope. 

We can only move forward with one thing: courage. Have the courage to apply for that job, to ask that person on a date, to move to that city you always dreamed about. Have the courage to say when you’re sorry, and have the courage to be honest when you’re not. And when necessary, have the courage to walk away, and have the courage to begin again. 

It was an honor to lead The Point this past year. As The Point carries on with a new team and new stories, my hope for the student body is that you offer criticism when you feel it is necessary and constructive, applaud them when you appreciate their work and share your story with them when you want to be heard. Thank you for sharing your stories with me for the last four years. I’ll always carry them with me. 

The sun will set in a few hours, and the light will climb slowly down the columns of The Greek. In the morning, the golden rays will rise again, glowing over a place we once called home.

Cheers,
Rebecca

By: Rebecca Elliott

Author

  • Rebecca Elliott

    Rebecca is the editor-in-chief of The Point and a freelance writer. She is a senior at PLNU majoring in multimedia journalism and minoring in public relations.

About the author

Rebecca Elliott

Rebecca is the editor-in-chief of The Point and a freelance writer. She is a senior at PLNU majoring in multimedia journalism and minoring in public relations.

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