Annika's Commencement Speech (University Of Arizona 12-20-08)

Thank you. What an introduction. I am very flattered.  After that, I can hardly wait to hear what I have to say.

Mr. President, faculty, staff, graduates, family and friends,

I am honored and proud to be the commencement speaker for the Class of ’08. But before we go any further let’s get one thing straight. My task today is to speak and your task is to listen. If you are finished with your task before I finished with mine, please raise your hands.

Dear Wildcats, congratulations on your graduation. What a wonderful achievement. Today is a special day and the beginning of your future. We are here to celebrate your accomplishments. It needs to be recognized that the last few years you have studied, focused and committed yourself to getting an education and degree. Statistics state that many of you will stay in your field of expertise and some of you will try new interests. Only time will tell and life is funny that way as it takes us for different rides with different people to different places.

I am an older Wildcat. I attended U of A during 1990 – 92. Wow, have things changed! When I was here Michael Bolton was at the top of the hit lists. Gasoline was less than a $1; the Dow Jones Industrial Average had just crossed 3,000 for the first time.  Terminator Two and Robin Hood were the top movies. George Bush Senior was the President and we were in the midst of the Gulf War. The “World Wide Web” was just being introduced.  Tiger Woods won his first USGA title at the age of 15.  Here at school Lute Olson was the man and our football team’s defense was called the “Desert Swarm.”......

(continue reading Annika's commencement speech after the photo album)

All pictures courtesy of Doug Wyland.

I was recruited from my home country Sweden to play on the women’s golf team. Talk about a life changing moment for me! I arrived after traveling for thousands of miles to a new country and culture. All I had was two suit cases, a golf bag and lots of energy.

Life on campus could not have been more different than I expected.  I had only been to the States once before, so my expectations and vision came from the TV show Dallas. So, naturally, I wondered where were the Ewing’s and what was JR up to?  Quickly I had to adjust and adapt. I was on my own now and I had to make my own decisions as to schedule, time management and planning.

I struggled my first semester in the Coronado dorm. I was used to my space and independence. I couldn’t study on demand and do homework right after a long practice session. I already knew how to set goals and achieve them on my terms and my own time frame. Now, I had to really accept my new situation and focus on what I needed to do. And I did.

After two years at U of A, I decided to move on and pursue my career as a golf professional. I felt like I had achieved everything that college golf could give me and I was ready to move on. My mind was set on the next steps and challenges. This was my choice and my decision.  Now, let me be very clear, I am not encouraging anyone to leave college early. It’s important to get a degree. However, I felt like my skill set and mind were ready to move on. Golf was to be my life and it was time to go for it.

I am not here today to talk about how to hold a golf club or teach you how to improve your swing. Instead, I want to share with you my life lessons from a game that I love very much. Thanks to golf, I have been able to see the world, meet some wonderful people, but most importantly golf has taught me about life and helped me grow up.

We all have a role and place on this planet. We are all gifted with life and its opportunities. So what guides us and what decides our direction? What makes you decide to take a turn and the person next door stay on the same track?  Let me take a crack at some answers. 

I thought of an acronym as a guide line for you and what I believe it takes to achieve your goals and be successful. WILDCATS WIN…

"W" stands for "Will"

It takes a strong will to succeed in this competitive world.  It’s your will that drives you to move forward in life. It’s your will that determines your decisions. Do you want it badly enough? There needs to be a passion to succeed. I have always felt that I could accept failure, but I could not tolerate a lack of complete effort.

"I" stands for "Interests"

What are your interests? What makes you tick and gets you excited about life? It’s important to analyze yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Go for your strength. Golf was my strength. Now I am lucky to be making a great living pursuing my passion.

"L" stands for "Lessons"

I will be the first one to admit that I have made many mistakes along the way to my success. I think it’s human and normal to try your way around. The toughest lessons are taught through mistakes and failures. Strong individuals learn, bounce back and get stronger.

"D" stands for "Determination"

My determination and desire are big factors in my success. I have always had big dreams and visions of being successful in life. I focus on my goals and I am very set on reaching them. I had my sight set on the top; I wanted to be the best in the world. My determination and commitment was to golf and golf only.  Now as I step away from competitive golf I am determined to build the ANNIKA brand of businesses.

"C" stands for "Courage"

A friend told me to face the fear and embrace the challenges to move ahead. Here is a good example; when I was a little girl I was terrified about being in the center of attention. I was very shy and didn’t like the limelight or even answering questions in school.  I would keep the right answer to myself rather than making a fool out of myself if I was wrong. It got so bad that I would make mistakes on purpose on the golf course so that I didn’t have to give the winning speech. I lost because of shyness and not because of lack of ability. I think it is fair to say that I have gotten over this!

"A" stands for "Achievement"

When I joined the tour I didn’t know if I ever could win a tournament. I had dreams and big visions, but you never know.  As I began to see the results and achieving my goals, the harder I worked. The daily grind was a routine and I pushed myself harder and harder. The results and achievements kept coming and I got even more motivated. Always strive to achieve. Set ambitious goals and pursue them with all your might.

"T" stands for "Time"

As you all know the Great Wall of China was not built in one day. It took years and years, actually centuries to finish. It takes time and patience to achieve success. Be patient!

"S" stands for "Shortcuts"

There are no short cuts to success. A story I have from my childhood is when I called my Dad to pick me up from the golf course on a rainy day. We drove by the driving range on our way home and there were a few kids practicing and my dad turned to me and said “Annika - there are no short cuts to success”. He was so right and that comment has and will never be forgotten.  I had to practice hard and even harder than my competitors. I wanted to win and be the best. I strived to reach my potential as a golfer and person.

"W" stands for "Work"

The simple fact is that you can’t succeed without working hard. Any successful person will agree that it takes full commitment and many, many hours to get to your final destination. There is simply no substitute for hard work.

"I" stands for "Integrity"

Integrity is a noun and synonymous with honor and uprightness. There are several definitions of integrity in the American Heritage Dictionary. One of them is “A firm adherence to a code of moral values”. Another is simply honesty. Whatever path you choose, let integrity and honesty be your guiding star.

"N" stands for "Never say Never"

I am not talking about the James Bond movie. I am talking about real life. At any stage, any level you have achieved. Never say never.

So remember – WILD CATS WIN.

Be proud of your degree and celebrate this moment as your life is about to change.  Your apartments, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters or teammates are about to be replaced with new colleagues, decisions and increased responsibilities.  Your new jobs will take you new places and you’ll make new friends along the way.  These chapters of your life are closing, but take with you the lessons and experiences you have learned here and carry them over as the foundation to future success.  

You are about to leave your secure environment here and enter a whole new world.  You are entering the world at a difficult time.  The economy is struggling and jobs are tougher to find.  The world is shrinking and there is much fear and uncertainty. That’s OK.  That just means that you and your generation have an opportunity to make a difference and help turn this whole thing around. Embrace that opportunity.  You have the world at your feet…..that is exciting. 

As I wrote this speech, it occurred to me that my message can relate to anyone at any stage of their life. As a matter of fact, I know someone that is in much the same position as you are. She has a new chapter ahead and new challenges. She approaches them with a mixture of hope, fear, excitement and promise. But she is determined to succeed. That person is none other than me.

So, in true Wildcat fashion, let’s pounce on these opportunities together.

I wish you all the best. Thank you.

Comments

[Peg]

Annika,
WOW!!! It's Great Speech!!!
You come long way, shy girl to mature woman.
Kudos to YOU!!!!

[Mary E.]

What an inspirational speech you presented to the Wildcat class of '08! It showed the true "you" and was interspersed with wit and humor. I felt it was written from your heart and I hope these new graduates will take it to heart for their futures. Many of them may not be big golf fans, but the message was loud and clear. Well done!! Great pictures, by the way!

[Golf54deciple]

MRY e,
you have spoken well.

Annika sure had fun writing and delivering this message didn't she? You can just tell.

She's done well in living the best possible life she can so far and it shows!!

[Jeanette Jones]

Annika.The pictures of you in your Academic Regalia are really special. Your Commencement Address presented the new graduates with spirited, inspirational challenges. That acronym you created for your Address was so Annika, and one those graduates will remember for a lifetime. What an honor to speak at your Alma Mater. Go Wildcats.!

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Annika,

Your powerful words have left me meowless. I am sure those Wildcats came away very inspired.

This cat sure is!!

Go Annika!!!!

AtC

[Ken]

That was a really good speach. Some humor and a very inspirational outline. Even relating it back to yourself. I wish I got a speach like that when I graduated. Nevermind you giving it. You've come a long way from that shy woman that started out on tour.

[Kerry]

Awesome speech!!

[Golf54deciple]

Ken,
I'm with you!! It's been almost 30yrs it's true, but I don't begin to know what the speech given at my commencement was even about.

Who spoke anyway???

There will be many getting the transcripts and/or DVDs of Annika's address I would bet!!

[Lowell]

Purposeful. Remarkably articulate of the attention of consequence, in apprehending the elements of determined decsion making. Quite the primer of adult passages. Exceptionally useful content of benediction. Virtu'. All the best.

[B. K.]

Beautifully written/spoken from the heart!
You continue to inspire people every where you go! You've certainy come a long way from the shy girl who use to 3 putt on purpose to avoid giving a speech.
Congratulations and thank you for your inspiration-
BK

[Joni]

Well done, Annika!
I have three college degrees and my son has one, and not once before have I heard a speech from which I could take so much good advice. As a teacher, I find myself steering my students to many of those same goals. Thank you for being such a visible reminder!
All the best in your new hopes, dreams, and visions.
Joni

[Sue D.]

Nice job on the speech, Annika!

[T. Lau from Hawaii]

WOW!
What a speech. Not shy anymore.
Its been years for me, but I wish I was graduating again.

[Christine]

Those words are truly spoken from the heart of your experience and are very inspiring. Isn't it nice to reflect on your own experiences and growth and know that you have grown into a very satisfying life and can help others to realize the same.
You are going to be a great teacher!
Best wishes for an enjoyable future! Go Wildcat!

[Liz Torres]

Annika,

As always, a class speech by a class individual--I know you inspired the graduates because you inpsired me as well.

If they follow your advice-they will succeed and your future endeavors will skyrocket.

As a teacher, I LOVED your opening, my task is to speak and yours is to listen--if only my students would heed that statement.

All my best to the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Buzz]

WILDCATS WIN........

You are living proof.....

Well done, Annika

[Janet]

Very nice speech--I envy you the chance to be in the sun and warmth of Tucson.

[Golf54deciple]

Annika & Mike,
So have you've gotten to exhale and just enjoy the quiet of each others company as Christmas and New Years' day approach?

Wow, what a year!! Now it's really fixin' to be your season!! Much joy to you both!!

[Annika]

Thanks everyone. It was an honor to be the commencement speaker and come back to school and try to inspire the graduates. I have to admit I was a little nervous, but I had practiced and practiced my speech many times. Once I got in front of the microphone I spoke from the heart and knew that my message relates to me too.

[Donna]

If your only making so many cases of your wine, How would I get one in Victoria, British Columbia. Is it true the golf is relaxing?

[Annika]

Donna, Please inform the webmaster about your interest in the wine. We can put you in our wine club...