Ashland mayor Matt Miller details five “principles for better living” to new AU graduates
ASHLAND, Ohio – Commencement speeches aren’t always memorable, but Matt Miller ’99 delivered one on Saturday to this year’s Ashland University graduates that they will likely take something from for years to come.
Addressing the nearly 1,200 graduates—574 bachelor’s degrees, 342 associate degrees, 237 master’s degrees and nine doctorate degrees were conferred—Miller recalled that he really “didn’t remember much … or who the speaker was” from his own AU graduation a quarter century ago.
Miller, in his eighth year as the mayor of the city of Ashland, took Saturday’s opportunity inside the Niss Athletic Center, where attendees stayed dry from the steady rain, as an honor to offer some memorable and practical advice. He first referenced the book “The Magic of Thinking Big” and noted that “if you’re ever given the chance to speak, make sure you say something that matters.”
Miller accomplished that goal by introducing and detailing “Mayor Matt’s Principles for Better Living:”
- “Never underestimate the power of your words.” Miller explained that words are powerful and they should be used to uplift and inspire. “Make sure the words you speak about yourself and your future, and those around you, are positive, creative words that will get you to your destiny,” he said.
- “Do not live your life in fear.” Nothing will “keep us from fulfilling our potential more than fear,” according to Miller. He added the concept of “be not afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times because “(God) knew that was the one we would struggle with the most and that it would be the one that would do the most damage to our life and our future.”
- “Approach change from a positive point of view.” A constant in this world is change. Miller told graduates to expect changes in their personal relationships, their career and other areas throughout their lives, and to not only accept them but embrace them. “Sometimes the very changes that we dread the most, and that cause us the most disappointment and the most pain are the very changes necessary to save us and advance us,” he said.
- “Be quick to forgive others.” Miller acknowledged one of the hardest things in life is forgiveness, but without it one will become bitter, frustrated and agitated. “Nothing will drag you down and depress you more and stifle your success … more than harboring unforgiveness toward anyone, yourself included,” he remarked. “Chances are it will prevent those life-changing opportunities … let’s make it our commitment to love everyone, to forgive everyone.”
- “Always remember to be thankful.” Life will be full of ups and downs, but Miller asked the graduates to take “an attitude of thankfulness” because that leads to humbleness. He explained, “Remember this, humility doesn’t mean you think less of yourself, it means you think of yourself less. You’re all all-stars as far as I’m concerned, you’re all the best, you’re AU Eagles! Just try to think of others a little more before yourself, and you’ll be fine.”
During the ceremony’s opening remarks, it was AU President Jon Parrish Peede who struck a thankful tone. He thanked the Ashland faculty and staff, the families and other supporters in attendance, and the graduates, who first came to Ashland to be “challenged intellectually, supported spiritually … and found excellence in (themselves).”
Shortly after, Jim Hess, chair of the AU Board of Trustees, offered his congratulations and shared some reflections from his successful career. “People who do (something) really well love what they do and they love the people they’re doing it with on a daily basis,” he said after recently retiring from a 45-year career working with a variety of clients as a CPA. “Second thing, they are in the constant pursuit of excellence … Thirdly, they treat everyone with respect, in a manner that they would want to be treated. And lastly, and maybe most important, they save their best for home.”
Speaking on behalf of the AU Class of 2025 was Madalynn Aumend, a middle grades education major from Ashland, Ohio. She noted that everyone’s AU experience was uniquely different “based on the trajectory of our lives,” and similarly, she added that “our journeys after college will be unique to each of us as well.” While that makes it challenging to offer broad-based advice, she came up with one very astute observation, especially in this age of social media.
“Don’t get so caught up in the progress of others that you forget the successes you have made along the road. You’re sitting here right now, having just completed an entire degree … remember the pride you feel in this moment and carry it with you,” said Aumend. “Remember that success isn’t always immediate just as gratification isn’t always instant. Live your life like you want to and stop comparing yourself and your progress to others.”
As co-valedictorian of the Fall 2024 graduates, Aumend was one of six students recognized individually. Nick Conner, an interdisciplinary major from Rushville, Missouri, and Erica Samples, who majored in biology and is from Lodi, Ohio, were co-valedictorians of the Spring 2025 graduates, while Drew Lind, an accounting major from Bellville, Ohio, was the other valedictorian from Fall 2024. Kenzie McConnell, an exercise science major from Circleville, Ohio, and John Rogus, a communication major from Mesa, Arizona, were the salutatorians from Spring 2025 and Fall 2024, respectively.
As AU graduates look to apply Miller’s principles for better living, they can do so knowing they have the support of a loyal group of alumni that is now more than 55,000 strong.
