University of Memphis holds historic commencement; graduates urged to become 'unstoppable'

As “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed throughout FedExForum Saturday, the University of Memphis' Class of 2023 was all smiles, displaying the colorful stoles and cords that denoted fraternities, academic honors and professional organizations.

Occasionally, a decorated cap could be spotted in the crowd: One with floating butterflies, one with a blue feather boa, one topped with a floral wreath, many with sparkles.

It was the largest commencement in school history, recognizing 2,794 graduates across three ceremonies.

“Choosing the right university to further your education and staying committed throughout the process can be very stressful, so to all the graduates today, you made it here because of your decisions, commitment, passion, work ethic and grind,” said Atlantica Smith, president of the student government association.

During the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, which included graduates from the College of Professional & Liberal Studies, Fogelman College of Business & Economics and Herff College of Engineering as well as doctoral and master’s candidates in those areas, Dr. Bill Hardgrave, president of UofM, congratulated the graduates.

“You have reached this moment through hard work and dedication, and we’re very proud of you,” Hardgrave said.

Members of the audience cheered and shouted names as degrees were conferred on family and loved ones.

Mark Greaney, a 1992 graduate and author of “The Gray Man” series, congratulated the class of 2023 “on this incredible milestone in your lives.”

As this year’s commencement speaker, Greaney looked back on his time at what was then called Memphis State, a time during which he worked on his first book and told people he wanted to be a writer, “But it was just a dream, a hobby, I never really pursued it seriously.”

“I wish I had appreciated the power of fearlessness, the power of tenacity and the perils of living in your comfort zone,” Greaney told the graduates.

It wasn’t until the death of his father in 2005 that “the fear dissipated, and I got to work,” Greaney said. His first three books “went nowhere,” as did his first three novellas. His fourth book was turned down by nine publishers, but a tenth said “yes.”

That book was “The Gray Man,” and it was eventually adapted into a feature film by Netflix in 2022, starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. The movie ultimately became the fifth most-watched film in Netflix history.

“If I’d given up after three unpublished novels, three unpublished novellas, years without success, and if I’d given up after countless agents and nine publishers turned me down, then I wouldn’t have 16 New York Times bestsellers and a film to show for it now,” Greaney said. “I’d just be 33 years older than I was when I started. My point is, when you have the bravery to put yourself out there and the tenacity to keep trying when things don’t work out, you’ll become unstoppable, and good things will happen.”

The 10 a.m. ceremony included graduates from the College of Communication & Fine Arts, College of Health Sciences, Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management, Loewenberg College of Nursing, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and TigerLIFE Completion Awards Program as well as doctoral and master’s candidates in those areas. The 5 p.m. ceremony, held after press time for this story, was set to include graduates from the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education and School of Public Health as well as doctoral, master’s and specialist candidates in those areas.

Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: University of Memphis gives degrees to 2,794 in historic commencement