The commencement speech is the way that the graduating class gives its last goodbyes, gratitude and general appreciation for North Carolina State University. The speaker for the spring 2019 graduating class is Ruhama Wolle, a fourth-year studying communication*. The commencement speaker is chosen through a process of application and interviews from a council of faculty. Wolle found the motivation to apply for commencement speaker after her experiences in other public speaking opportunities, like Wolfpack Speaks and TUFFTalks.

“Surprisingly, I won, and then, in that, I think it’s just speaking up for a community that I’m very involved in, which is like prison reforms,” Wolle said. “It really touched my heart, and then I kept hearing from a lot of people, following that competition, that I have speaking skills. From then on, I did TUFFTalks, and that one was really dissecting our self-journey. I sort of have a story, in terms of how I got to NC State and all that I’ve been through. I went up on stage, and I had a vulnerable moment and a rush of emotions, but I kind of got that affirmation.”

After her initial speeches, Wolle felt glad that she was able to share her story because she found that it helped other people. 

“When I finished, people were coming up to me and saying, ‘Your story isn’t my story, but it really helped me to be able to be confident in my story,’” Wolle said. “I thought about it and said, ‘Why wouldn’t I do it on a larger scale?’ If it helps this many people in this small event, let me just audition for it and see how it goes.”

Wolle’s desire to help others and her general friendly nature is noted even by her adviser, Steven Tisdale, a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Communication and instructor of records for COM 110 Public Speaking. 

“The thing about Ruhama — we call her Ru — she is quietly determined,” Tisdale said. “When you meet her, she doesn’t appear to be as ambitious and as self-directed as you would think she is. She always comes off as being very humble, very friendly, but the way that I would probably describe her is that she is, again, quietly determined; that she is always absorbing information; that she is always seeking a way to improve herself.”

Wolle transferred to NC State from Wake Tech* two years ago, wanting to find a better fit for her education. She found what she was looking for at NC State.         

“This is my second shot at school, because I transferred in,” Wolle said. “I think State has kind of rebuilt my confidence, and it really helped me hone in on who I am and what I want to do.”         

Wolle’s drive was also of note by Tisdale. Being her advisor, he was able to see her growth and change over the years that she has been at NC State.

“We meet every few months, have coffee, talk about what she’s doing, what her professional goals are,” Tisdale said. “Every time I meet her, she’s just like Legos. Seriously, she’s just building as she goes along. And it’s like OK, well this was a block, now it’s a building. This was a building, now it’s a city block, and that’s just the way she is.”

Wolle says that much of her success at NC State can be attributed to her best friend. 

“She’s just been there every step of the way,” Wolle said. “She kept saying, ‘I had no doubt you were going to win this. I had no doubt you were going to win that.’ But even moments when I questioned myself, she was definitely that person who was like, ‘You got it. Get it done.’ She’s an answered prayer.”

Wolle said that she has been through many troubles throughout her academic career, but has never given up on her road to success. With such an amiable and inspirational nature, she enjoys telling her story since it has helped those who have heard it.

“She is very inspiring, and I think she has that effect on other people,” Tisdale said. “She’s very calm, she’s not boisterous or in your face. She’s quietly determined, and people pick up on that … She didn’t put them off with any kind of excessive personality traits. She’s a very accessible person. I’m very happy for her, it’s wonderful.”

*Editor’s Note: Wolle’s curriculum was updated for accuracy

*Editor’s Note: Wolle’s previous college was updated for accuracy