After a two-year Covid delay, it was a joy to finally deliver the University of Vermont’s 2022 Commencement address in person to a sea of smiling graduates, students, family, and faculty.
Video Description: A 2-min sizzle reel of my speech, featuring shots of Erik speaking on stage interlaced with shots of students entering the graduation ceremony area, receiving diplomas, and hugging parents, faculty, and each other. Everyone is wearing some variation of black gowns and mortarboard hats. To watch the full commencement, go to https://www.uvmcommencement.com/ and click “University Main Ceremony”. Erik’s address starts at hour:minute:second 2:09:30 and ends at 2:38:55.
It’s Always Good to Be Back in Vermont
I’m drawn to Vermont for many of the same reasons I love my home state of Colorado – it’s a breathtaking place for all things outdoors and filled with interesting folks from all walks of life. I’ve visited to ice climb high above Lake Willoughby, pedaled hundreds of beautiful miles over gravel roads and earthy trails in the Green Mountain State, and I’ve met countless curious minds along the way.
Now, the great coincidence is that as my son, Arjun (class of 2025), was finishing up his freshman year at UVM, I was returning to Burlington to do more than simply help him pack up for the summer. I was on campus to congratulate the entire class of 2022 on their incredible resilience and amazing achievement, and to share a message about what it means to continue living a No Barriers Life as each graduate sets out to write their next chapter.
I shared positive pessimisms with the graduates (inspired by my Everest teammate Chris Morris) and notably, encouraged everyone to never settle in life — to keep climbing no matter their age, ability, background, or beliefs. I talked about the many types of personal and collective traumas we all face in this world, and illustrated the choices we have to turn our adversities and struggles into something deeper — like love, empathy, wisdom, and innovation. At No Barriers, we call this conversion process Alchemy, and it is the very root from which aspiration, opportunity, achievement, and advancement all grow to reach new heights.
Alchemy has been a major theme for these students over the last couple of years and I believe as they venture into new careers, further into their education, or wherever this world may lead, this has only set them up with the invaluable skills to help illuminate a brighter path forward for all. UVM is a really beautiful community, and from the moment I stepped foot on campus, I felt assured that our future can only be better as these graduates take to the world.
Congratulations to the class of 2022! And thank you to University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella and Coordinator of Presidential Events Kelly O’Malley for this memorable experience; photographer Andy Duback for the snaps; Dark Star Productions for their video work; and the UVM Strategic Communications team for this article about the occasion.
2022 UVM Commencement Ceremony Photos
