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Amanda Wallner Suggests Wolfpack’s ‘Refuse to Lose’ Motto as Ideal for Fellow Graduates

Amada Wallner, who graduated Dec. 17, 2011, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing from NC State University, was selected as the Poole College of Management’s Student Commencement Speaker.

In her remarks, Wallner conveyed sentiments gathered from her fellow students, covering three basic themes. One drew on the ‘never quit’ attitude of NC State’s Wolfpack football team.

“The first of those themes came across as something like, ‘now what?’ In the market we are facing, any of us have the burden of taking on a full time commitment of simply looking for a job,” she said.

Wallner encouraged her fellow graduates to hold fast to the motto of NC State’s football team, ‘Refuse to Lose,’ and to “have faith have faith in the simple fact that this university has prepared you to enter a demanding workforce with a diverse and exceptionally well rounded education. Every element of your education, every event that you have experienced as you traveled through this university has provided you with unique experiences. Those unique experiences may include internships, community involvement, or international experience. Use these distinct experiences to show what a leader you have been and what a leader you’ll be for them (future employers), too.”

To make an impact, she said, the graduates “must find your passion.” Again, she used NC State’s football history to illustrate her point.

“Think back to when our NC State Football team played Maryland,” Wallner said. “At half time we were losing – by a lot. One man sitting in front of me said, ‘if Maryland scores again I am leaving.’ Within the first few minutes of the third quarter Maryland scored again,” she said.

“This man along with many other fans trickled out of the stadium. These fans thought the game was lost. But our football team had a passion for the game. They refused to lose. They pushed on to score 42 unanswered points and recorded the biggest comeback in school history,” she said.

“This team could have quit. They could have given up. But they didn’t. The NC State football team as well as the fans who remained in the stadium witnessed history and unrelenting passion. Passion helps make anything possible. So in whatever direction you go when you leave here today, find your unique passion because it will allow you to achieve your dreams,” Wallner said.

A second theme she picked up from her fellow students “was the gratitude that we have for all the faculty, staff and administrators that comprise this university,” she said.

“To the professors, you have pushed us to reach beyond what we thought we were capable of and encouraged us to soar to new heights. As much as we dreaded every group project, online simulation, case study and final paper we had to do, they prepared us to enter into a diverse and ever evolving workforce. Just like the fans who stayed in the stands during that infamous game, you’ve had faith in us to finish the job regardless of how difficult the task. You have pushed us to not just complete the job, but to do it to the very best of our ability,” she said.

She acknowledged the staff and administrators, saying, “Without you, nothing would be possible. Like Mr. and Mrs. Wolf, you helped lead this Pack. So from myself, and on behalf of all of the graduates here today, thank you. You have truly helped us grow and shaped us into a fine graduating class during these past four years.”

The final theme, she said, was directed to those in the stands on commencement day. “The final theme that was clearly expressed was the gratitude we all have for our families and friends. Through the ups and the downs, you have been there for us and have made it possible for us to be sitting where we are today, 2011 graduates of North Carolina State University. So even though it may have seemed like we wanted nothing to do with you unless it meant a free meal, clean laundry, extra cash, or a shopping trip, we owe you a thank you.”

The graduates had a chance to follow up on that at the conclusion of the commencement program, when they all gave their families a round of applause.

About Amanda Wallner

Amanda Michelle Wallner is originally from Chatham, Ill. She graduated with a major in business administration and a marketing concentration. During her college career, Wallner excelled not only in the classroom but also in various activities across campus and in the community.

On campus, Wallner was a member of the Poole College Peer Leaders and the Beta Gamma Sigma national honors society. Her activities beyond the college included serving as a volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she also completed an internship as an event planner. She also completed a district manager internship with Aldi Foods, where she will begin employment as a district manager trainee.

Photo Info

Graduates of Poole College’s Jenkins Graduate School were black commencement attire; graduates of the college’s bachelor’s degree programs in accounting, business administration and economics wear red attire. The Jenkins Graduate School includes doctoral and master’s programs in economics, and master’s programs in accounting, business administration, and global innovation management.