Surprised, humbled, honored: Jill Painter Lopez speaks at Colorado commencement
I'd just arrived at Denver International Airport last Thursday with a newfound enthusiasm. I had two uninterrupted hours on my flight from Los Angeles to work on an important speech, and I was finally comfortable with it.
I'd known about it for two months, and with 24 hours to spare, I finally had it down. Typical journalist with a deadline.
I walked outside, just in time for a beautiful glimpse of the Colorado sun setting and as the December night set in, I realized in my haste, I'd packed two right-handed black gloves.
No matter. I grew up in Colorado and could handle 37 degrees. The power of positive thinking.
I cover the Clippers, and they were in town to play the Nuggets that night. Players were discussing ways to beat the altitude. I was telling folks how I never noticed it altitude, and I was a runner.
Lugging suitcases around made me feel otherwise.
I was in a jolly mood and not just because Christmas is around the corner. I was returning to my alma mater at the University of Colorado to give the journalism commencement speech. I was surprised, humbled and honored.
Over the weekend I would get to see old friends and hang with dear friends who would visit Colorado for the first time. I would eat pizza dipped in honey at The Sink (it's so good even President Obama couldn't resist), do the Coors Brewery Tour, hang on Pearl Street and have a friend give a campus tour.
My time with the Buffaloes was the most special.
I had a dinner scheduled when I arrived with Stephen B. Jones, the associate dean for undergraduate studies at CU, who ran our student-produced newscast, 'Newsteam 22' when I was in school there and graduating student Leo Wolfson, who was doing a radio internship at 850 KOA, which covers the Denver Broncos.
Wolfson has an eye for sports or news broadcast journalism and an enthusiasm Steve Ballmer would love.
He also was kind enough to share a bite of his eggnog creme brûlée.
I was liking the future of our journalism students already.
As we left that dinner, Jones told me he'd see me at 1 p.m. the next day for the graduation.
"Don't you mean 3 p.m.?" I asked.
No, 1 p.m. Panic set in as I made a call and confirmed the time had indeed been changed to 1 p.m. somewhere along the way.
Can you imagine if I missed the entire thing? It's not like you can blame traffic in Boulder.
It's amazing how a little change in a schedule can throw you off your game. After calling Colorado friends to let them know, I settled down.
The next morning, I had a breakfast at Jill's -- not named after yours truly -- with Christopher Braider, the transitional dean of the newly-created college of Media, Communication and Information that will start in the fall. All-Star student Leah Winkler joined us as did my best friend, Melissa Gliner, a childhood friend and CU graduate.
We had a lovely time, and it was nice to hear Winkler already has a full-time job -- the future is bright.
I have never had a problem talking or reporting on camera -- I was a broadcast journalism major -- or in front of people for speaking engagements but this commencement speech had me nervous for weeks.
Michael Roth, vice president of communications for AEG, has given speeches and helped others with commencement gigs and when I told him what I was doing, he suggested going early to check out my surroundings and get comfortable. It was invaluable advice.
The auditorium seats 1,800 or so but there were just 47 graduates and their families. And I had nine people in my VIP section, so I was confident someone would laugh at my jokes.
There were poinsettia plants in front of the lectern for a warm feeling. The sound guys were awfully nice -- of course who isn't in Colorado? --and they turned on the mic and speakers and I did a dry run.
The nerves vanished.
I was so worried because I can't even remember who gave my commencement address. I didn't want that to happen to these students.
I put on my cap and gown and took a selfie. It was so cool to wear that outfit again and be back at school.
As we arrived at Macky, an official told me I'd need to check in. He thought I was a student. Bless him -- an early Christmas gift.
I didn't think I'd done enough in my career yet or been gone long enough to have such an honor. But I realized it's not about how much you've done and success isn't measured in years. Everyone has a story and wonderful learning experiences to share.
Walking in to pomp and circumstance was really moving. It was neat to see the ear-to-ear grins and excitement of men and women ready to get their careers on.
I walked alongside Braider and stumbled in my five-inch heels. He chuckled. In fairness to me, it's a theatre, so it was a descending walk. It was nice to have a moment of levity with Braider.
My speech went as planned. I was most concerned that I wouldn't be able to connect with 22-year-olds, and they didn't get my no-one-puts-baby-in-a-corner line, but they did get 'Bye Felicia.'
I hope I had at least one tip or insight that resonated with them. I tried to do what John Wooden would do. While in his 90s, he could connect with students seven decades younger than him. It was mesmerizing to watch him speak. I used him as a good example of being a people person.
I told stories of meeting Ralphie the CU Buffalo, Kobe Bryant, Wooden and how talking to anyone and everyone can net you the best human interest stories.
When the ceremony concluded and students were asked to move their tassels from the right side of their cap to the left, I got chills. It was an awesome moment to watch another group of Colorado graduates officially ready to enter the working world.
A college degree is an impressive accomplishment and to play a small part of the graduating class of 2014, well, that was a thrill.
