Senator Kinskey tells SC Graduates to Follow their Passion

A large crowd filled the golden dome at Sheridan College for the 2024 graduation exercises on Saturday, May 11.

The Star Spangled Banner was performed by Mathew Tipich, who graduated with an Associate of Fine Arts Degree.

Miss Kodi Lybarger was honored with the President’s Award, and the 2024 Distinguished Alumni was Judy Hayworth.

Senator Dave Kinskey was the commence speaker. Kinskey grew up in Sheridan and attended Harvard with the plan of returning home and being a lawyer. He talked about how his career path changed.

He shared a conversation with his daughter about his college days, where Kinskey admitted that he didn’t do all the required reading, and added, “I think I have a different approach to school that you do.”

He told the graduates, “As I pondered what I could to share with you that might be helpful, and I recalled my own college graduation.” He said at the time he was married with a small daughter.

Later, with the urging of friends, he decided to pursue politics. He told the graduates that on the day of his graduation he foresaw none of those career changes.

He said that passion means doing what you love, and it makes life more enjoyable. He said he went into economics because it was practical. He said he should have been a history major instead, and he would have had a more fulfilling time in college.

He talked about making a plan for the future.

He said he decided to shelve the law license and build his own business. He said that the job was demanding, but, when you pursue your passion, work is of a different kind, it brings a sense of fulfillment.

He said friends urged him to run for Sheridan’s mayor, and that lead him into local and state politics. “Politics is the price you pay to hopefully do some good for a community and state you love.”

“Pursuit of your passions doesn’t always come with a smile,” he added.

He ended by saying that during his two decades of service, one of his priorities has always been Sheridan College.

Degrees were conferred, tassels were turned, and the class of 2024 is now ready for the next step in their lives.