Cynthia Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council, was one of three guest speakers to deliver speeches at the fall commencement Dec. 17 at UMSL. Jerry Dunn, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Services of St. Louis at UMSL, and Suresh Kumar, assistant secretary for trade promotion and director general of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce, also served as guest speakers.

Commencement speakers often share words of wisdom with the new graduates that make up their audience. This line stood out at one of the fall commencement ceremonies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis:

“There are people in this world who have flying monkeys and aren’t afraid to use them.”

That was from a speech by Jerry Dunn, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Services of St. Louis at UMSL, who expertly weaved an analogy of “The Wizard of Oz” and finding success. The title of her speech: “Toward Your Emerald City.”

Each fall commencement ceremony included excellent speeches delivered by guest speakers. In addition to Dunn, speakers included Cynthia Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council, and Suresh Kumar, assistant secretary for trade promotion and director general of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Visit umsl.edu/commencement/speakers to read all three speeches.