College of Creative Arts and Media

Congratulations, you are the first spring class to graduate from the College of Creative Arts and Media. While the vast majority of your time at WVU was in a different structure, I believe that the process of creating any new entity (like CCAM) can provide useful insights for you as you start your next chapter.

Observing the creation of a new entity provides a useful model for a burgeoning career. The need to adapt is a root cause of many new ventures. You will spend most of your adult life in the second quarter of the 21st century and the ability to adapt will be central to long-term success. Adaptability can take many forms, but the willingness to accept change, willingly recalibrate your personal direction WHILE BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF has never been more important. Adapting is something you will need to do regularly throughout your career.

Another lesson that can be learned from observing the creation of a new college is deciding how to choose which opportunities to pursue. For any new entity, there are a host of “initiatives” that lie on the cutting room floor. These “cut” initiatives may be logical and worthy, but “not now” can occur for many reasons. Some opportunities come at the right time, but there are many that come at the wrong time or are not right for you (and there are opportunities that are just bad ideas!!).

Choosing the right opportunity may not be easy, but one of the guiding principles for choosing the right opportunities is your personal sense of purpose. Be true to your ideals. If the opportunity fits your ideals and the time is right, be ready to put in the work. Doing something new is hard, but as Coach Kara Lawson states, “Don’t wait for life to get easier, learn how to handle hard better.” That is an important lesson; if you want to create something new, and pursue meaningful opportunities, you should be prepared to “handle hard.”

Adapting and choosing the right opportunities will help you become what our society needs: a leader with purpose and the conviction needed to do the work.

Now reflect, enjoy your achievement, and share hugs (if you are OK with that).

Congratulations!!

H. Keith Jackson, DMA
Philip J. Faini and Falbo Family Dean