Senior Speaker: Journalism

A message from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Each year, our graduating students in every major select a student to speak on behalf of their area of study. Because we are a large college, the time allotted to our ceremony does not allow for each speaker to appear on stage. However, these speeches have been recorded for your viewing pleasure. 

At its core, our College supports open and free inquiry and debate about the most weighty and consequential subjects that face us all. Each student was given a minute to speak on whatever topic they think will be meaningful to their peers. Some of the contributions are lighthearted, others are serious, and some may inspire some people and conflict with the values and beliefs of others. But that is the nature of free inquiry and debate: it should challenge us and make us think. We are proud of every one of our graduates, whether or not we agree with the views they express here. 

Transcript: 

Good evening, faculty, family, friends, and fellow graduates.

As we prepare to leave UMass and step into the next chapter of our lives, I want to reflect on the impact of journalism, not just as a career, but as a catalyst for change.

Journalism is more than reporting facts; it is a reflection of society, capturing both its triumphs and struggles and mirroring the complexities of the world around us.

Within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, we’ve been taught to ask difficult questions and seek meaningful solutions. As journalism majors, we’ve learned not only to document the world as it is but to envision what it could become.

Through journalism, we can shape our future and use truth as a force for good. In these
unprecedented times, we must commit to this. Neutrality, when it overlooks injustice, becomes complicity. Truth is rarely black and white. We must embrace the gray areas, seeking what is real, not just what is comfortable.

History has shown us the power of fearless reporting. Ida B. Wells risked her life to expose the horror of lynching at a time when the mainstream press ignored it. She once said, “The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press.” Journalists like Wells didn’t just report on events; they challenged the status quo.

Today, we enter an industry where truth is often under attack. Disinformation spreads faster than facts, press freedom is under threat, and money and power often influence which stories are told. In the face of these issues, neutrality is no longer enough. Our responsibility is to pursue truth relentlessly and amplify the voices that demand attention.

That obligation doesn’t belong only to investigative reporters. PR professionals can spotlight efforts to right wrongs, while sports journalists can reveal how athletics reflect both societal progress and shortcomings. No matter our path, we all share the same duty: to defend the truth with the utmost integrity.

As we celebrate this milestone, I hope that, along with our newfound skills, we have gained a renewed sense of purpose, one that drives us to ask hard questions, elevate diverse perspectives, and leave the world better than we found it. As students, we hold more power than we realize. As reporters, we can lead the charge for change, lighting the way for others to follow.

The world needs our voices now more than ever.

Thank you.