Emilee Roberts ’17MLD, ’26Ph.D., addressed her fellow graduates at the afternoon Commencement ceremony on May 9, 2026, as the Woods Online and Graduate student speaker.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Dr. Emilee Roberts, and today I am honored to be giving the afternoon commencement speech at a place that is dear to my heart, and more importantly, a place that I consider to be a home. I would like to extend a warm greeting to President Randolph, the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, Sisters of Providence, families, friends and especially the graduating class. We gather today in these beautiful, storied Woods – a place that has been sacred ground since 1840, when Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions first trusted in the Divine Providence, amid the wilderness. As a doctoral student, I stand before you not just as someone who has finished a degree, but as someone who has been forever changed by this community of faith, intellect and courage.
To begin, I would like to take a moment of gratitude to look back and honor “The Woods.” Whether you are joining us in-person, or joining us from afar, it is important to thank the people who made this journey possible for us. I would first like to thank the faculty, staff, mentors and advisors who have pushed us, guided us, supported us and cheered loudly for us – even when we weren’t sure how to cheer for ourselves. Next, I would like to thank the Sisters of Providence, whose dream, aspiration, courage and determination have made it possible for the graduating classes before us, ourselves and those after us to continue to walk across this stage and celebrate educational achievement. And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I would like to thank our family, friends and classmates. Those who encouraged us to apply for our programs, those who consistently told us “You can do this” when we doubted ourselves, and those who are joining us today, with big smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts as they celebrate what they knew we could achieve all along. Thank you, family, friends and classmates, for providing so much love throughout our time here. I feel that I speak for all graduates when I say, we are forever grateful.
When I was just three years old, I stepped on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College campus, clinging to my mom’s leg, as I walked into the SMWC daycare. I vividly remember being scared, with tears running down my face. Back then, I was scared to interact with anyone – and it still might surprise my mom that I am standing on the stage today, giving this speech. And to be honest, those scared feelings I felt at three years old and trying something new, are very similar to how I felt starting the Ph.D. journey. However, as I walked into daycare, 31 years ago, I was met with the smiling face of Sister Rose, who bundled me in her arms with a warm embrace, and each day told me: “You’re okay. I’ve got you. You’re going to have so much fun and learn so much!” That moment at just three years old and that experience taught me one of the biggest values of SMWC and of life – treating every person with kindness, and to know that you will always be embraced for who you are at SMWC. I have truly carried that experience with me in all of life’s chapters and in this educational journey. In the quiet moments of studying, in the exciting moments of research and in the deep reflections for a place that brought us all together. I am a firm believer that whether you have walked the beloved avenue multiple times or joined class in a virtual format across the globe – the love of The Woods can be felt from anywhere in the world. It is the people and the experiences that make this such a special place.
As I personally reflect on my journey here at The Woods, and specifically in the Ph.D. program – I ask you to reflect on your time as well. I think back to the moments of our cohort first meeting each other – so excited, yet also cautiously optimistic of this new chapter. I remember blurry eyed late nights finishing up discussion boards, and virtual coffee chats with cohort members for group projects. I smile back on traveling to Greece with people that started as strangers and ended up as life-long friends. I also fondly recall standing in a circle at my own wedding with MLD and Ph.D. friends who sang “Whose Woods These Are” – which was mostly off key, but with joy in our hearts.
And with that, I also remember the hard and challenging times for our cohort, when loss, heartache and tough times fell upon us – and how we continued to support and lift one another up, even from miles apart. The beauty of it is, this has not always been an easy road, as all journeys can be full of road bumps and challenges. However, every single person we’ve met on this journey is woven into our stories, forever. And without these beautiful souls, encouraging faculty and staff and consistent encouragement, we would not be here today. Mother Theodore Guerin once said: “Humble yourself, that is very good, but do not yield to discouragement,” – and that is what this program, this place and this education has done for me. It has shown me humility and shown me to persevere – regardless of how bumpy The Avenue might have been at times. And many years ago, I did in fact have fun and I have learned so much during my time here, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
As we look forward, I want to remind us that “commencement” means beginning, not ending. As we celebrate today and celebrate such an amazing milestone – I urge you to remember, this is also a beginning. A beginning that I hope each of us are proud of. As the mission of the Sisters of Providence echo’s – “carry the spirit of The Woods into the world – be agents of hope, and work for a just and hope-filled world.” I encourage you to use your knowledge honorably – whether in academics, ministry, industry, advocacy or family life. Stay connected to community and faith, as we are never alone and Providence walks with us. And lastly, be bold in service. The world needs healers, teachers, researchers and everyday saints who dare to transform and impact communities. Just as an acorn becomes a mighty oak in these Woods, may each of us grow into the fullness of who God calls us to be – rooted here, but reaching far beyond. May we use our education, knowledge and life’s lessons to continue to make the world a better place.
In closing, I would like to again express deep pride and gratitude for this graduating class, and this shared journey we have experienced. We represent different programs and separate personal journeys that brought us to this day – but we share the teachings of The Woods, and the courage to dream and aspire higher. I, again, share gratitude for those who have encouraged us along the way, and given us the strength and love to continue. And lastly, I give gratitude to Sister Rose, all those years ago, hugging a three-year-old girl, who was in a new place in the world; not unlike those woods that Mother Theodore Guerin saw, upon her own journey here.
This, my friends, is the lesson and example we take. I know classmates, how I have tried to emulate the teachings of both of those remarkable women, in giving comfort to others throughout this journey. My question to your graduates is this: Where will you do that for someone else? How will you play the role of Sister Rose in the life of someone down this avenue or beyond? How will you reach out to help lift someone up, as others have done for you?
The challenge to be agents of hope and work for a just and hope-filled world is ours. As we have learned along our SMWC journey, what we do with that challenge is ours as well.
Class of 2026, peers, friends, and graduates of The Woods – go forth with courage, live with virtue united to knowledge, trust in Divine Providence, and Aspire Higher, always. May God bless you, and may these Woods always live in your heart.
Congratulations, Class of 2026. We did it!
Emilee Roberts, a native of West Terre Haute, Indiana, is receiving her Ph.D. in Global Leadership. She also received her Master of Leadership Development from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2017 and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hanover College in 2014. Roberts serves as the director of strategy and impact for Chances And
Services for Youth (CASY) in Terre Haute.
After graduation, Roberts plans to continue her professional career as a community engagement partner, with a love of connecting individuals and organizational development through enthusiastic and positive leadership. She specifically plans to continue her passion of working within nonprofit
organizations to assist in the navigation of leadership challenges, and with helping nonprofits prepare for next steps and succession plans. Her hope is to someday work with global nonprofit organizations as a consultant and/or mentor through leadership changes, organizational
structure challenges, group dynamics, crucial conversations and self assessments for organizational and individual growth.
Roberts said about being chosen as the Commencement speaker, “My story with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is one of full-circle belonging, a journey that began when I was just three years old as a student in the SMWC preschool (then housed in the basement of an academic building). I am fortunate to have both started and completed my formal educational journey at The Woods. I am honored to speak on behalf of my peers, celebrating our shared journey and inspiring us all to carry the spirit of these Woods forward with kindness, equality, virtue and hope into the world we are called to transform.”
0 Comments