Michael Stiggers Jr. ’09, Columbus State University’s first graduate to perform on Broadway, returned to his alma mater as this spring’s commencement speaker during ceremonies honoring the university’s 948 May graduates.

The accomplished actor, singer, volunteer, philanthropist, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member—and most importantly, Columbus State alumnus—shared with the university’s newest graduates the highs and lows of his career that extended from the stages of Columbus and Atlanta to Broadway performances in the Tony Award-winning productions of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and “The Lion King.”

“I encourage you all in this present moment to acknowledge the journey it took for you to get to this point,” Stiggers said in his opening remarks. “For some of you, you are carrying the banner of hope for your entire family and community. And, that, is no easy feat.”

Stiggers noted that his job as an actor often requires him to live truthfully based on imaginary given circumstances as he strives to be an effective storyteller.

“So, I hope you don't mind me being just a little honest. Can I be honest with everyone today?” he asked as he shared his apprehension about returning as a commencement speaker.

“You're looking at someone that kind of feels like they're not qualified to be standing up here right,” he explained, noting that he changed his college major three times and took six years to earn his degree. “Here’s the kicker: you are looking at someone who barely passed public speaking on this very campus. There’s a little bit of irony for you.”

Addressing what an actor can tell today’s graduates about life and success and provide a sense of hope for their futures, Stiggers said: “I can tell you what I’ve known for a while in my line of business. I can tell you about failing—over and over and over again…. It’s a full-time job believing in yourself.”

He challenged graduates to think of themselves as storytellers as they learn to condense and market their entire life’s journey into a pocket-sized story they can use as they market themselves throughout their job searches and careers.

“We accentuate the positive—we take stock of our life experiences and we hit the highlight reel,” he explained. “We focus on the wins—it's easier and it's safer in situations like this. “But what about your losses? What about the times you overcame something that you didn't see you were going to make it?”

Stiggers used his own journey to New York as an example of overcoming life’s obstacles. Before living out his dream on the Broadway stage in “The Lion King,” he recalled the decade of hard work and the “worst audition of my life” just two weeks before being notified he made the cast of “The Lion King.”

“So, the truth of the moment is that your wonderful, beautiful, imperfect, messy story is just beginning. Today, you earn a diploma—but the lessons are far from over,” he assured the graduates in attendance. “And the best part about all of this is that you are in charge of what happens next. These blank pages of the future are yours for you to breathe life into as you continue on creating the life you’ve been dreaming of. Understand that the twists and turns in the narrative are absolutely necessary.”

Stating that “persistency is what really counts,” he reminisced, giving thanks for “things that I learned right here on this very campus that got me through some of the toughest times and biggest struggles that have made this life worth it…. Remember that any story worth telling comes with its share of resistance and challenges. Those moments matter too.”

Stiggers spoke at all three May 12 ceremonies. Recordings of his remarks are part of the life-streamed ceremonies available for viewing at graduation.columbusstate.edu.