The Walkerville Class of 2025 numbered only eight, but having a small town, big character background will not limit their ambitions and achievements at all.
This was the message of Commencement speaker Megen Williams, the valedictorian of Walkerville’s Class of 2008, which was just 21 graduates strong at the time.
Megen the daughter of John and Karen Tanner.
Megen said she was excited to attend Grand Valley State University, but when she failed her first exam in a freshman science course, she began to worry if Walkerville had properly prepared her for the rigors of college.
“I immediately called my mother and told her I wanted to come home because I felt I wasn’t smart enough,” Megen said.
With a never-give-up spirit and encouragement from her “mom, Megen doubled-down on her resolve and grew her determination to succeed in college despite coming from a small town.
When Megen graduated later from GVSU with her bachelor’s degree, she ranked at the top of the class in her program with a 3.9 grade point average.
The difference in her academic success this time was that she was the top scholar among 24,000 graduates, not just the 21 she graduated with in 2008.
Combining it with hard work, she discovered that Walkerville had indeed helped prepare her for success in both college and life.
Megen’s bachelor’s degree became the springboard for subsequent professional successes.
Today, she owns and operates a health-related business.
Megen is also a clinical educator at GVSU’s Kirkhof College of Nursing, directs the Kent County Juvenile Detention Program, and is working toward a master’s degree in nursing.
“I appreciate being raised here,” she said, emphasizing that Walkerville’s teachers continually demonstrated the talent and dedication to mold her into a good student.
Megen said Walkerville’s small, close community has a family feeling that is a big asset if you allow it to be.
In her Commencement speech, Megen encouraged our Wildcat grads to intentionally build lives that yield positive contributions in the world.
She recommended these three steps:
- Embrace change. See opportunities where others see obstacles and be willing to adapt.
- Nurture relationships that propel you to new heights. Success is seldom achieved alone.
- Dare to dream big. The world needs innovators. Envision a world that is better, brighter, and more inclusive. Audacious dreams pave the way to progress.
Wise words, Megen. Thank you!