GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Colorado Mesa University (CMU) held its winter commencement Friday morning inside the Brownson Arena on the CMU campus.
CMU President John Marshall talked with WesternSlopeNow about why the commencement marks a significant milestone for so many.
"We get an opportunity to celebrate with students and families that have accomplished something that, in many cases, no one in their family has done."
Half of this graduating class is the first in their family to graduate from college, said Marshall, including the two commencement speakers who took the podium.
"They amplify the best of what Colorado Mesa University stands for," said Marshall.
One speaker is from East African. He came to the United States in 2008 with no prior education, doing hard labor to support his family.
"I came here. I didn't have any education, to support my family," said Mathias Muloumba, a Ugandan native.
During his time in the U.S., he was inspired to pursue his education but did not meet the qualifications to become a CMU student.
Muloumba returned to Uganda, obtained his GED and applied to CMU.
"I went back and I did my GED. Failed it a couple of times, but I went through it and then I was accepted here at CMU."
He talked with students about the challenges he faced and what motivated him to continue his education. Muloumba tells WesternSlopeNow what this degree means to him and what he hopes it will bring.
"I'm going to use my degree to make the world a better place. I want to invest into myself and to my family. I want to invest into the community where I come from. I want to, basically, make the world a better place with my education I got here."