Graduation speeches and coaching

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Wow! I just realized I have been coaching graduation speeches for 3 consecutive events now. All by God's grace! 
To be honest, even though I am a communication lecturer I believe I don't have much experience in doing this. I do teach public speaking but only for research presentations in class, and I only teach writing business letters not speeches!

It all started when Graeme from Australia (my former boss actually) decided to leave the university. Of course, somebody has to handle this job... no more option but me! So, I took the challenge even though I feel inadequate πŸ˜…πŸ˜Œ I only have the willingness and the guts to do it anyway. I went on looking and watching for impactful graduation speeches and the rest is history.

I am actually learning from all the graduation speeches I get to coach. There's always new things and new approaches that I would discover. I only require these basic content parts: Greetings, remarkable university experienced, gratitude, insightful quotation, and impactful ending (could be current jobs by now or future plans). 

Yesterday's graduation speeches were extra special. I don't know why I became emotional. I actually cried with both speeches of Chong and Houy while listening to them. Specially on those parts where they thank us lecturers for influencing them to work out their best and to always put excellence (they don't need to be perfect, just give the best!). 

I only get to coach them online right after or in between my classes, since both also have jobs now. It would be more productive to practice this way. And then during our main rehearsals at the graduation venue, I'm glad they were already prepared. I'm so proud of what they did. They spoke cheerfully and have connected well to the audience. They really followed everything I asked them. It was a bonus to hear the audience clap in between. I told them to use pauses strategically.. clapping of hands validated those tips yesterday!
I was so surprised at Chhong (graduating with the Masters of Architecture), he was actually worried he might mispronounce names. Houychhing (Faculty of Business) on the other hand was anxious where will she look at. Both gave their best and extremely nailed their down talks.


 
Both receiving their certificates from the Prime Minister Manet yesterday
2022 with Deny and Daln
God is so good indeed! These are some of the past graduation speeches. 
My heart is full to see them flourished in their own paths. I was glad to guide/teach them even to the last journey of their academic lives. 
Deny has even now become my colleague (she's working in one of the top architecture firms in Cambodia and then teaching part time here in the university). While Daln used to be a TV personality since she's a wonderful host of a local lifestyle channel, she is now running her own marketing and advertising company along with her husband. 

2018 with Ratana and Seng
These wonderful guys have become friends and colecturers (part time) here in the university as well. Rātana is teaching Interior Architecture and Seng teaches Business modules. Both also copartners with two businesses: Endless cafe (where by the way, we sell our chocolate walnut cake haha!πŸ˜πŸ˜…) and Internal Edge-Lightning Consultant.

I believe they know that I am a christian and follow Preah Yesu (Jesus). 
My goal someday, I hope and pray I would be able to have the chance to share the love of Christ to them. 






 

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