Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

The month of December has been nothing but a distinct month. Three of my doctoral students defended their dissertation and just like that, our time together came to an end. Even though I will not be attending their graduation, it was truly an honor to pass all of them with distinction considering they were once terminated because I choose to resign.

Either way and through no fault of their own, they preserved in ways that can only be described as God, hence the note on distinction. I also choose my students wisely. Granted I have made some costly mistakes with some, but those I see to the end will defy the end in ways that showcase what true mentorship entails. See I was also mentored by one of the best. We know what it takes to mentor as our own experience has been stellar. The end was always inevitable and I really thank two of my colleagues for helping me ensure that their end would equally be stellar. It’s been a great honor to have served with them and just in case I didn’t make it known, know that each pass of distinction, totally earned, was my attempt at virtually graduating you all. What an honor to first call each of you by your PhD title.

So in closing, please join me in saying a big congratulations to my three outstanding students. Your future is indeed bright. I wish you nothing but grace as you begin this next chapter with your PhD duly earned with distinction. May your soar beyond your wildest dreams and may dreams even save you too. You are everything good about this thing called academia and it shows with how you didn’t let the turmoils of my transition affect your work. The end too is a testimony of your strength, your ability to persevere because what doesn’t kill you only makes you strong. In the end you proved that this thing called research, in the right hands and with the right mentors can be distinct, sterling, outstanding, exceptional, divine. I thank you for teaching me then how to always be distinct, sterling, outstanding, exceptional, divine. Our iron sharped our iron because you first began like dreams, touching everything in ways that let love for our work still be at the end. So I pray that in your next phase, God’s grace will shine upon you and be gracious to you. I pray that your hope in him will grow and help you stay strong and outstanding in whatever area you find yourself in. I pray Romans 8:28 over your lives and may he continue to work for good in you as you live according to his purpose in your life.

Here is to me too, for officially signing off three dissertations in one week. Again, I was mentored by the best in the game.