UWO class speaker Jacob Heron tells graduates to keep believing in themselves, find greatness

Good morning graduates, families, faculty, and friends.

Throughout our time at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, we have listened to countless lectures, completed hours of homework, and navigated through challenges we never expected.

When I first came to college, I sat in my North Scott dorm just after unpacking and I thought about what I wanted my college experience to look. Did I want to join a club? Work on campus? Play a sport? So many questions I thought I needed to answer right away.

As I was walking to the gym one chilly Oshkosh night, I thought about why I wasn't where I wanted to be yet. I didn't feel strong enough, smart enough, or capable. While walking, my head was spinning with thoughts about how I could make better progress. Just before I arrived at the gym, I realized the answer to my question. I realized it was not a fancy solution or complex formula. The answer was to believe in myself and trust the process.

I realized that I didn't need to have all the answers; I just needed to believe I could find them. By thinking I was capable of doing something, and believing I would figure it out even if I wasn't, I gave myself the power to explore and grow worry-free.

I also knew then that even if I failed, I would be able to try something different. A unique feature of college is that it gives us the opportunity to start fresh, and try new things. But as our college careers come to a close, I urge you not to forget the wonderful powers of belief.

Graduates, we have spent years learning formulas, theories, and facts. But we have also learned much about ourselves. College is a transformational time, a time to grow in your interests, hobbies, and future. We learn lessons about what to do when the hard times come, like when the job doesn't work, when a friendship just sort of fizzles out, or when you spill teriyaki sauce on your shirt right before an interview.

Believe in yourself, stay the course

In these moments of hardship that we have all faced, self-belief acts as a reliable friend. It can help pull us out of these hardships and ultimately achieve our goals. Believing in yourself and knowing you are capable gives you an avenue to learn and grow.

All around this room there are graduates who have proven we can learn, persevere, and overcome obstacles. We survived hard exams, personal struggles, doing the laundry, and yet we are all here. That is not just an achievement. It is evidence. Evidence that we are as strong as our belief is. Many people believe they can do something, but get discouraged and quit. A continued belief in yourself can carry you as far as you want to go, and now it is our time to continue our journey.

Our next steps may be unclear, but as long as our belief is strong, and we are strong enough to stick to our beliefs, we can do anything.

I will leave you all with a final story, one that I still remember from my parents reading it to me as a kid called "The Little Engine that Could". In this story, there is an engine, and that engine has a mission to pull a load of toys that are too heavy up a mountain that is too steep. Despite the daunting circumstances, the engine says to itself, "I think I can."

So I urge you fellow graduates, as you walk across this stage and into your future, when you find yourself at the bottom of a mountain, in disbelief and uncertainty of what lies ahead, take the first step, and when the weight of your endeavor seems to devour you, repeat to yourself, "I think I can." And if you keep thinking you can, and believing you can, one day, you will.

Congratulations, December 2025 graduates. You did the thing! Continued self belief is a superpower we all possesses, and it's time we show the world what we've got! Thank you, and best of luck for all that is yet to come.

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