Two accomplished alums, one the CEO of a global PR firm, the other a legendary Hollywood producer, addressed graduates at COM’s 2019 convocations. Barri Rafferty (’88), CEO of Ketchum, urged graduates to use their creativity in writing their own career and life stories: “You have the tools and the talent to create a masterpiece.” Lauren Shuler Donner (CGS’69, COM’71, HON’19), Hollywood producer and philanthropist, told COM’s undergraduate class to find stories with deep meaning—and the power to change lives.

A theme of perseverance ran through the undergraduate and graduate student addresses. Lauren Frias (’19), speaking to the undergraduate class, recalled her urge to quit the high school newspaper. But with a journalism diploma now in hand, she challenged her classmates to join her in tackling the next chapter in their lives. “We leave COM knowing that it gave us the ability and knowledge that we need to achieve our dreams,” she said. Flaviana Sandoval (’19) spoke of her childhood battle with leukemia and how she’s turning that determination toward a career in journalism. “The world is only going to be what we make of it. So how about we fight to make it great?” she urged the graduate class.