From Transfer Student to Commencement as a Charger

First and foremost, I want to give all of the glory to God for this opportunity. I would like to thank the University of New Haven faculty, staff, and security for making Commencement possible. I would also like to thank my family for being my backbone throughout my life and for reminding me who I am in dark times.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jace Gifford ’26, and I am a transfer student here who majored in Exercise Science. I have been at this great university for the past two years, and I can honestly say it has been everything I thought it would not be. I say that with gratitude. The University of New Haven has been everything I needed, and I would like to share that story with you today.

I got a call from my parents mid-way through my sophomore year at the University of New England (in southern Maine) informing me that I would be transferring back home the following year because the cost of tuition was becoming too much to afford. I understood, but I was deeply, deeply hurt by this new reality. For the first time in my life, I had made a name for myself and established myself somewhere. I was vice president of the Rugby Club with teammates who had become like brothers to me. I was training students and surrounding community members at the Rec Center Gym. I was serving in two different clubs and had great relationships with my professors. To say the least, I was a little shell-shocked and angry at the whole situation.

My visions of what my time here would be were nothing but pessimistic, to say the least. I didn’t think there was anything for me back home, let alone in New Haven. Looking back, I could not have been more wrong.

These past two years have taught me more about myself and my limits than any other time in my life. The University of New Haven will be a place of hallmarks in my development as a man for the rest of my life.

During my time here I have been blessed with so many opportunities. I would have never thought I’d help select the next dean of the School of Health Sciences, but I did. I would have never thought that I would represent the University of New Haven at the New England American College of Sports Medicine College Bowl, but I did – twice. Most importantly, I would have never thought I would connect with my professors the way I have or find a community that truly wants to see me succeed in every facet of my life, but I did.

This university has given me more than I could have ever imagined. That’s the funny thing about life. Sometimes, the unknown is exactly what you are looking for, you just don’t know it until you’re there. We are all about to step into unknown territory, whether it be further education or finally stepping into our careers. The biggest moments in our lives are ahead of us. With this, I want to share with you one of the wisest things I have been taught in my life.

My high school history teacher Mr. Rotteck used to tell us this thing that at the time didn’t make sense, but now it does. He said, “You are nowhere near as good as you will be.” I’ll say it again, “You are nowhere near as good as you will be.”

I understand now that he was talking about potential. Where you have been, is not where you have to be. Who you were, is not who you have to be. And what you’ve done, is not what you have to always do. Your potential is tied to your story.

Maybe you are the first college graduate in your family, or maybe you’re here continuing a family legacy of college graduates. Regardless of your story, I want you to know that you have done something substantial. But don’t let the potential you have been building over your time here go to waste. Now is not the time to take a break. Now is not the time to “chill out.” Now is not the time to stop. It's time to move forward. Use what you have learned and go change the world. Don't let anyone tell you you’re too young, and don’t let anyone tell you you’re too inexperienced. Be the Charger that you are, and Power On.

I was the person who said that transferring schools would ruin my academic career, but the University of New Haven is exactly where I was supposed to be for the last two years. Sometimes the unknown is better than the known. As you step out into this new chapter in your life, embrace the unknown and embrace your potential, because you are nowhere near as good as you will be. Go Chargers!

Jace Gifford ’26, who received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, was a finalist to serve as a student speaker at Commencement. The content above is based on the speech he delivered as part of the competitive process to select the student Commencement speakers.