By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Tenets to live by and hold dear include fighting for what is right.
Taking risks. Helping those in need.
And ultimately, leaving the earth a better place than you found it.
When you walk with purpose, you "collide with destiny," Sherman Ostrander told Southwestern Michigan College's 38th Commencement Saturday morning in Zollar Sports Center.
Passion is a crucial ingredient. "In the 1960s Dr. Fred Mathews had a vision to establish a community college here in Dowagiac, Mich." No matter the roadblocks, "He persevered. As his passion grew, his vision became reality. Years later, over 11,000 graduates have preceded you … When you walk with purpose, you're going to collide with destiny."
Some dreams may be realized, others altered by circumstances, but graduates can still be happy and fulfilled, he said.
Never be afraid to learn new things, Ostrander urged, because knowledge is power.
Graduates choose their attitude, whether it is positive or negative. They are not who others think they are, but who they believe they are.
Recalling that his own grade point average might have provided "reasonable doubt," Ostrander said, "I knew inside of me that I could achieve things if I set my mind to it. I was determined to prove them wrong."
Ostrander, finishing his 10th year as Edwardsburg superintendent of schools, was selected as one of only 100 superintendents nationally for membership in the Superintendents Institute of America.
While in the classroom he was chosen for "Who's Who Among American Teachers," representing the top 5 percent of U.S. educators.
He instructs at Western Michigan University's Leadership Academy.
Ostrander led Edwardsburg to become the only Michigan district with every single one of its buildings designated Blue-Ribbon Schools - "a tremendous accomplishment," noted SMC President Dr. David M. Mathews.
Mathews said Ostrander "is part of the SMC family. From 1985 to 1987, he served as director of financial aid at Southwestern Michigan College."
Dr. Fred L. Mathews, Board of Trustees chairman since SMC's 1964 founding, recalled, "We started classes in 1966 and had our first full-fledged graduation in the spring of 1968 on the steps of the library. I remember well the humbling, but exhilarating, experience of giving my welcome to that first graduating class.
Mathews introduced trustees, including Vice Chairman Keith McKenzie of Marcellus, Secretary Jan Kairis of Edwardsburg, Treasurer Carole Tate of Hamilton Township in Van Buren County, Trustee Tom Jerdon of Dowagiac and Trustee Bill White of Jones, and Cass County Commissioners Johnie Rodebush, Gordon Bickel and Chairman Robert Wagel.