The School of Mass Communications’ December Fall 2008 commencement ceremony ushered nearly 80 students into a world of opportunities as the latest VCU alumni stepped up to receive their diplomas. Featured at the ceremony was guest speaker Dr. Lauren Tucker, director of consumer forensics at The Martin Agency — Richmond’s nationally renowned advertising agency. Dr. Tucker leads a team of consumer intelligence experts who transform data into business ideas and strategies.
A former tenured professor at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Tucker gave spirited tips to the graduates. Among other things, she urged them to “get rid of those toxic people in your life,” which inspired loud murmurs of agreement from the parents in the audience.
Dr. Tucker literally had the graduates – and even some faculty – dancing in the aisles when she ended her address with the popular dance song, “Live Your Life” by I.T. The lyrics, “You’re a shining star,” resonated throughout the Student Commons as the future professionals took the song’s name to heart and marched from the ceremony with diplomas in hand.
