Lifespan wellness has special meaning to graduation speaker

She centered her speech around three “random thoughts.” Two of the thoughts are no doubt common themes of graduation speeches -- prompting the degree recipients to make a difference and to work hard. Some may consider the other – telling the graduates that she hopes they have a crisis -- to be a little more unconventional.

The case in point was her bout with ovarian cancer. The malady was diagnosed in January 2006.

“My local doctor had patted my knee and said, ‘I’m so sorry, but when it’s our time to go, it’s our time to go.’ At that point, I knew I was in a crisis,” she said. “Thanks to the skilled and caring surgeons, and the love of family and friends, I’m still here.”

While going through the treatment, she made many promises to herself for better living upon recovery. Consequently, she exercises more and eats healthier foods. She said countless positive changes have been brought about by her desire to have healthier relationships, emotions, pastimes, spiritual life, relationship with the earth and environment, and even her finances. The experience also has given her first-hand experience for the lifespan wellness course she teaches at CSC.

“A crisis often brings about change. Sometimes that change helps us focus on what is really important in our lives,” she said. “Sometimes that change helps us focus our gaze on things we value. So why do we wait for a crisis to make life-enhancing changes? I hope you have a crisis, but I hope it is a crisis of wellness.”

Nealeigh, whose degrees include a doctorate in human environmental sciences from Oklahoma State University in 1992, also teaches courses in family and consumer sciences education and human services at CSC. The Hitchcock County native has served continuously on the CSC faculty since August 1994. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and has won many awards for her teaching and innovation.

While Nealeigh’s speech addressed perseverance, the presentation itself served as a lesson in toughing it out. She was rendered speechless by laryngitis the day before the ceremony. Her voice recovered just enough by Saturday morning to get her through the engagement.

In telling the graduates to work hard, she used the example of Major League Baseball left-fielder Eric Byrnes, who accomplished the rare feat of 50 stolen bases and 20 home runs on one season as an Arizona Diamondback in 2007.

She said Byrnes “left it all on the field,” by diving for grounders and sliding into base at every chance. She noted that teammates called him Pigpen, a reference to his dirty uniform and the Peanuts cartoon character known for the cloud of dirt lingering around his body.

“I hope you will each work so hard that you leave it all on the field, regardless of what others call you,” she said.

In order to make a difference, she encouraged the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge, to put their leadership skills to use in worthwhile organizations, and to lessen their impact on the environment.

“You have earned a master’s degree, so it is time to determine, if you haven’t already, what difference you will make – in your family, in your community, in the world.”