Those attending the graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 23rd were moved by the impassioned graduation speech given by Sane Haidara, an international student from Timbuktu, Mali. In his speech he thanked all at SPC for helping him to gain leadership and community service skills which will enable him to return to Mali to address social issues such as malnutrition, illiteracy, and instability. Sane also thanked his mother, who made the long trip from Timbuktu to see her son achieve his goals.
Sane began his studies at SPC in spring 2013 in the ESL program learning English, which is his fifth language. At the graduation ceremony, Sane received a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Administration and had been selected as the bachelor student speaker due to his exceptional academic, extracurricular, and personal achievements.
Sane won many awards and recognitions over the years at SPC, including the Dr. Theodore Mazzu Award and the Most Engaged International Student Award. While studying at SPC, he maintained strong ties with both the international and local SPC community through his involvement in clubs and organizations, such as International Club, American and Arabic Cultural Association, Phi Theta Kappa, and SPC ICMA (City/County Management Association). Sane reached out to his fellow students and others in need through volunteering and community service as a French tutor, World Peace Forum Student Speaker, and summer camp volunteer.
Sane faced and overcame many obstacles on his journey to graduation which enriched his life and the lives of the people he came in contact with. For Sane, giving back to the community is not a buzzword, but a way of life.
Congratulations, Sane! The Center for International Programs wishes you all the best.
Missed graduation? Watch Sane’s graduation speech online.