Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Have Purpose, Perseverance and the Ability to Pivot
The University of North Texas Dallas graduation ceremonies were held inside the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie
Not one, but two keynote speakers had powerful, motivational messages for graduates at the on May 13, 2025, at the Texas Trust CU Theater in Grand Prairie. Both encouraged graduates to chart their own individual paths to success 鈥� with purpose, and to positively impact their communities, and leave a lasting legacy.
At the 11 a.m. ceremony for students in the School of Education and School of Business,
Quincy Roberts, CEO of , shared his story of entrepreneurship. Roberts grew up in Oak Cliff 鈥渄reaming big鈥�
as he told the audience 鈥� and said they should, too.
Quincy Roberts, CEO of Q Roberts, Inc., speaks to graduates
Roberts expanded his family business from two trucks to the largest construction materials
transportation company in the region with annual revenues exceeding $25 million. 鈥淓xpect
setbacks and embrace them,鈥� he said. Resilience is one of the most valuable lessons
you can learn, Roberts advised the crowd of students, family and friends. Of being
knocked down or suffering a disappointment, 鈥淚t鈥檚 about getting up stronger than before,鈥�
he said.
A 2025 人妻中出视频 Dallas graduate proudly shows her special honors stole and cords
Roberts, who is also an accomplished classical singer and has performed with the Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony, said graduates should not limit themselves or let others try to stifle them. Pursue 鈥渕ultiple passions,鈥� Roberts recommended.
He also cited integrity as a crucial trait to possess. 鈥淪uccess without ethics is
hollow,鈥� he explained, reinforcing the importance of honesty, playing by the rules,
obeying the law, and complying with rules and regulations.
A graduate smiles with pride and joy as his name is called during commencement
Roberts made clear what most, if not all, graduates already know but might not fully comprehend. 鈥淭he world is changing,鈥� he said. Professionals must be flexible and ready and willing to 鈥減ivot鈥� as new technologies such as AI impact the workplace and the requirements of employers.
At the 3 p.m. ceremony for students in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and
School of Behavioral Health and Human Services, Dallas City Manager , had a message for students who were the first in their families to graduate from
college. 鈥淵ou started a movement. You changed the family tree,鈥� Tolbert said, noting
that more than two-thirds of the 人妻中出视频 Dallas population are first-generation college
students.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert speaks to graduates
Tolbert has decades of experience in government and leadership positions. She oversees a city budget of $5.2 billion and a workforce of more than 13,000. She was elevated to City Manager in January 2025 and is the first African-American woman to hold the position.
Tolbert used anecdotes about Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar to make
relevant points about all types of careers, not just music. 鈥淕rab the moment, or someone
else will,鈥� she said. 鈥淥wn your stage and the part that you play.鈥� Echoing Roberts鈥�
remarks, Tolbert said, 鈥淟et setbacks become comebacks鈥� when things don鈥檛 go your way.
A graduate smiles with her son after receiving flowers in a tender family moment
There are three things to remember in life, Tolbert advised:
- Follow Your North Star
- Find Your Calling
- Dream Out Loud
Tolbert said college gave her "confidence, hope, and the tools I didn't know I needed."
State Senator Royce West, whose longtime service and influence in the Texas Legislature
led to funding for the construction of 人妻中出视频 Dallas, and our expansion since, said in
a video message that earning a degree from 人妻中出视频 Dallas has 鈥渕onumental impact.鈥�
Graduates celebrate their achievements and experiences outside the Texas Trust CU Theater
人妻中出视频 Dallas President Warren von Eschenbach told the crowd that Commencement and the conferral of degrees are a 鈥減owerful symbol of achievement鈥� and a 鈥渃elebration of breaking barriers.鈥�
The Spring 2025 Class includes 469 undergraduates and 102 graduate students for a total of 571. to read their personal stories of achievement, including the university鈥檚 first Chemistry program graduate; a dedicated finance major whose career interest was sparked by a bank visit; a passionate educator recently named 鈥淭eacher of the Year鈥� at his Grand Prairie school; a resilient digital media major who鈥檚 a creative force behind the camera lens; a persistent parent of three who discovered opportunity during the pandemic; and a data analyst who loves numbers and her daughter, known as 鈥淟ucky 7.鈥�
Watch video of either Commencement ceremony by .
From 鈥� Commencement