By Mike Porter

Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, challenged graduates today at Virginia Commonwealth University’s May commencement ceremony to live out their wildest dreams.

“Not small dreams. Not big dreams. I'm talking about the wildest dreams,” Taylor said. “The ones that people are going to tell you that you are crazy. You might actually be crazy, but I'm talking about the craziest and wildest dreams that you can think of and ones that people will tell you are impossible. The ones that your haters – and I'm going to tell you right now, you are going to have haters – the ones that your haters are going to say that you can't. I want you to live those dreams. I have seen that it is possible.”

The ceremony, which was held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, honored VCU’s approximately 4,900 spring graduates, including more than 3,100 earning undergraduate degrees. More than 980 graduates earned master’s degrees, approximately 365 earned first-professional degrees and around 300 completed doctoral degrees. The students represent 38 states (including Washington, D.C.) and 47 countries. The university also hosts an assortment of in-person graduation ceremonies at the department, school and college levels.

During the ceremony, Taylor announced a planned scholarship in his name to support VCU students from “uncommon and unorthodox backgrounds” starting next year. Taylor, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from VCU, also challenged graduates to “enjoy the ride” and lead “with kindness and love.”

“You have truly lived if you touched the life of one person,” Taylor said. “I believe that true legacy is not how much money you have, how many social media followers that you have, how lit you are all on TikTok. The true legacy in life is the impact that you have on others. That is the true legacy.”

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., reminded graduates “to be true to you.”

“Many will try to sway you toward what they think or what they want you to think or do,” Rao said. “Deep down, you know who you are and how you feel. Push aside the negative noise and focus on the many things that are positive. Positive thoughts build positive energy, which leads to good things. And good things – great things – are in store for all of you.”

Anne Marie Whittemore received the Edward A. Wayne Medal at the ceremony. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary services to VCU. Whittemore previously served on the VCU Board of Visitors and on the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board.

In addition, Abigail Akyea received the Board of Visitors Award, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding undergraduate students who represent the distinctive attributes of a VCU student. The recipients receive a one-year scholarship in the amount equal to in-state tuition and fees.