Menlo College Celebrates Class of 2022 at Commencement Posted on June 23, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege On May 21, 2022, Menlo College gathered for Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2022. Commencement marked the final day of an academic year that saw a full reopening of campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a return to in-person classes and an in-person Career Connect Day, the inaugural Academic Global Immersion trip to the United Arab Emirates, and numerous academic competitions throughout each semester. In athletics, Menlo competed in 271 games and tournaments, won two conference championships, and saw a women’s wrestler – Alleida Martinez ‘22 – win a national title. “We’ve been through a lot together since we first heard about COVID-19 — way, way back at the end of 2019,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “For much of 2020 and 2021, the pandemic was front and center. But this year, we managed to allow it to recede just enough so that this, your senior year, could be that special year that you deserved.” More than 150 Oaks came together for an in-person ceremony on the Quad, accompanied by friends, family, and various members of the Menlo community. Away from the Quad, thousands were able to celebrate the new graduates in a virtual setting, with more than 40,000 video views on social media and more than 1,000 views of the livestream of the ceremony. “I wanted these years at Menlo College to be the best of your life so far, but my hope now is that even better times are ahead for each of you. You deserve it,” President Weiner told the Class of 2022. “Thank you for choosing Menlo College and for including our school in your life’s journey. As you go forward, wear that ‘M’ proudly – always.” Class of 2022 Perseveres through COVID-19 Pandemic Back on August 20, 2018, the Class of 2022’s journey at Menlo officially began. Less than two years later, their experience was greatly impacted by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic during their sophomore year in March of 2020. These Oaks got accustomed to the idea of change early on in their college experience, and didn’t let the effects of a global pandemic derail their time at Menlo. That theme was evident throughout this year’s Commencement, specifically during Class of 2022 Valedictorian Rufus Pappy’s speech. “Change is the one thing in the world which is constant,” Pappy said. “And in our college journey, we have seen so many big changes. COVID came, we persevered, and right now, we’re sitting here looking back on all of our accomplishments and celebrating them with all of our family members, friends, and everyone.” Pappy urged his classmates to keep that experience with change in mind as they moved on to the next chapters in their lives as Menlo College alumni. “As we enter the working world and hold leadership positions, and as we gain the power to drive change, we must take the steps to fill the needs that we see in this world,” Pappy said. “Little by little, with the power of love, compassion, and determination, we can change the world in a big way.” Student Government Association President Rasmia Shuman ‘22 encouraged her classmates to “remain curious, ignite potential, serve the community, and continue to grow” as they prepared to enter a world post-Menlo, reminding those in attendance that every interaction with someone is an opportunity to make change. “The past four years have been pivotal in every single way,” Shuman said. “But we are now ready to branch out, explore beyond the roots that are so strong, and always remember that, no matter where we go, we are and always will be Oaks.” Commencement Speaker Mark Speckman Inspires Class of 2022 During a celebration of students who endured the COVID-19 pandemic during the majority of their college experience, Mark Speckman ‘74 motivated this year’s graduates with stories of his own resiliency as the Class of 2022’s Commencement Speaker. With an impressive, 40-year coaching career in professional, college, and high school football, Speckman has excelled throughout with a major physical disability: being born without hands. Overcoming the challenge, Speckman is recognized nationally for his football expertise. In 2008, Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and he was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year. In all, he has been named a conference Coach of the Year 12 times. Speckman has also been inducted into four Athletic Hall of Fames as a player or coach, including the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame. Speckman went on to build a lifelong career in football, coaching at Menlo College, Willamette University, the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, Lawrence University, and presently with UC Davis. His experiences playing and coaching football with a physical disability also paved the way for Speckman’s accomplished motivational speaking career and his own book: Figure it Out: How I Learned to Live in a Digital World Without Digits. “My generation’s done a lot of cool stuff. A lot of these people here, we’ve done a lot of great things, but there’s still problems out there,” Speckman told the Class of 2022. “Now you guys have to figure out, how are you going to make it better? How are you guys going to figure out how to save the children? How are you going to make it happen? But you know, you can do it. We’ve done it, you’ve done it, your kids are going to do it. We have this ability to figure it out.” “It’s great to be an Oak,” Speckman continued. “Congratulations, and thank you for this opportunity.” Read More About the 2021-2022 Academic Year: Focused on Student Success: Menlo College Earns Three New 2022 Top College RankingsCelebrating Volunteers at Menlo CollegeMenlo College Students Explore International Business in Inaugural Academic Global Immersion ProgramMenlo College’s Dean of Arts and Sciences Expands on Commitment to Engaging Student Voters ahead of 2022 ElectionsMenlo College Offers Two New In-Demand Degree Programs with Business Analytics Major and Political Science Minor About Menlo College Menlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
Tenacious Football Legend and Menlo College Alum Mark Speckman Set to Inspire the Class of 2022 Posted on February 15, 2022January 27, 2025 by menlocollege Speckman Brings a Relatable Story to the Menlo College Class of 2022 Menlo College is thrilled to announce alumnus Mark Speckman ‘74 as the speaker for the College’s 94th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21, 2022. As Menlo College students will attest, the pandemic brought on many unforeseen challenges for all: students abruptly adjusted to remote learning, with many in different time zones. In addition, with a student-athlete population of nearly 50%, about half of students had their athletic career interrupted or put on hold entirely during the pandemic. And yet, despite these challenges, Menlo College students persevered. Campus reopened in person in Fall 2021 and sports competitions have safely resumed, rebounding Menlo’s school spirit. It is only fitting that the Class of 2022 receives a commencement speaker that can relate to these struggles and triumphs. “I am thrilled to have Mark Speckman as my 2022 Commencement Speaker. It means a lot to me that Menlo College has chosen an alum who has a personal admiration of and dedication to the school. More importantly, he can relate to the challenges all my peers have faced for the past two years. Speckman is an inspiration, not only to the hundreds of student-athletes on campus, but to all students, including me,” said Michaela Haynes ‘22. With an impressive, 40-year coaching career in professional, college, and high school football, Speckman has excelled throughout with a major physical disability: being born without hands. Overcoming the challenge, Speckman is recognized nationally for his football expertise. In 2008, Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and he was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year. In all, he has been named a conference Coach of the Year 12 times. Speckman has also been inducted into four Athletic Hall of Fames as a player or coach, including the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame. In football, Speckman is regarded as a leading developer of the “FLY” offense, a system he pioneered and used nationwide. Speckman is living proof that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Successful Menlo College Alum Returns to his Roots “I am honored to speak at Menlo College’s graduation ceremony this spring,” said Speckman. “This is a special place for me; Menlo took a kid with no hands and gave him a chance to go to college. Menlo educated me, employed me — and housed me. I am fired up to be back to speak to the members of the Class of 2022!” Speckman first joined the Menlo College community as a student himself. In his sophomore year, he beat the odds and earned 2nd team all-league honors for the Oaks in the Coast Conference. After graduating from Menlo, Speckman went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences at Azusa Pacific University. There, he played football as a linebacker and earned an honorable mention of All-American honors. Speckman went on to build a lifelong career in football, coaching at Menlo College, Willamette University, the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, Lawrence University, and presently with UC Davis. His experiences playing and coaching football with a physical disability also paved the way for Speckman’s accomplished motivational speaking career and his own book: Figure it Out: How I Learned to Live in a Digital World Without Digits. “It will be an honor to host Mark Speckman at this year’s commencement ceremony. As a dynamic, resilient alumnus, Speckman’s perspective on overcoming adversity will be particularly inspiring for our graduates; all of whom have endured the pandemic during the majority of their college experience,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. Mark Speckman ‘74 will join a long list of notable commencement speakers. Learn more here: Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng – Political Peace Builder, Educator, Author – 2021Yasunobu Kyogoku – Venture Capitalist, Innovator, Serial Business Executive- 2019Dr. Mar Hershenson – Business Executive, Entrepreneur, Electrical Engineer – 2018Past Commencement Speakers About Menlo CollegeMenlo College was established in 1927. It is a small, private, non-profit, four-year, accredited, residential college located in Atherton, California. Menlo College’s location in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative geographical areas, has enabled the college to create a valuable market niche for its students locally — as well as globally. Menlo College cultivates in its students the skills, integrity, and passion to make meaningful contributions in an innovation economy.
