When Stetson alumna Jessily Ramirez ’08 arrived on campus 21 years ago, she took full advantage of her “season of learning” as a Hatter. 

“There were not enough hours in the day, as I seized every opportunity to connect what I was learning in the classroom with real-world experience in the community,” the keynote speaker said on stage during Convocation, Aug. 20, the formal opening of the new academic year.

Ramirez, principal and founder of CureAI Insights — a boutique advisory practice specializing in human-centered design and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence offerings to improve human health — was part of the student group who ran the first Student Government Association campaign on campus using social media ads. She also was a founding Bonner Scholar. 

After following her intuition to chase a career in health care, she became familiar with the word sandbox — a controlled test environment that’s used for extensive validation and testing when developing an evidence-based tool before it goes to deployment. 

“I want you to think of your time at Stetson as your sandbox season,” she told the students in attendance. “You see, our brains build creativity and learn through analogies. So, the more contexts — like cultures or languages — we can draw from or translate between, the richer the expression of our creativity. Take a look around you, what a gift to study side by side and learn from each other.

“Our Hatter Nation is a rich microcosm of the humanity we need and wish to see in the world,” Ramirez added. “So, use Stetson as the sandbox where you learn from different backgrounds. Prepare for your future career path by curating a healthy mix of courses and learning to build bridges across disciplines. Your academic knowledge combined with your skills and values outside the classroom, becomes your brand; your offering to the world.”

Ramirez’s stirring speech was one of several on the day. 

Amidst green and white decorations and a sea of Stetson Community — faculty and staff, as well as students new and old —university President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, welcomed everyone in the Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center.  

“Today is about our students and how we provide an especially vibrant and important form of education at our university,” he said. “Today is about focusing our collective energies to help our students to learn, to grow, to reach their full potential as informed citizens of local communities and the world.” 

Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, John Riggs, DBA, the 2025 recipient of Stetson’s William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching, shared his encouraging remarks. 

Actually, Riggs spoke about discouragement, and how everyone may be affected by it, at any moment and without notice. Yet, embracing discouragement, recognizing it and pushing through it despite the hardships it may bring, is what makes us resilient and courageous. He also spoke about becoming an encourager and learning to create spaces where people can feel safe, speak up and be imperfect. 

“Here’s the truth: Discouragement is … a signal that something needs attention,” he said. “So, here’s the big question — how do you respond when discouragement shows up? … Remember why you are here. … Your purpose may evolve, but your effort should always be anchored in something meaningful. …

“As you begin this journey, I invite you to carry this question with you: Who will be better because I showed up?” Riggs added. “Let that guide you, not just through college but through life. You are capable, you are worthy, you belong here. Discouragement may visit, but it doesn’t get to stay. Welcome to the beginning of something extraordinary.”

– Andrea Mujica