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UST Student Commencement Speaker Learns the Meaning of Perseverance
5/5/2008
 He had his doubts. It started out rocky – spending his freshman year living in a hotel due to the damaging effects of Tropical Storm Allison. Over the next seven years, Derek encountered more detours in the road: family tragedy; medical problems which required two semesters away from campus; an additional two semesters when he did not enroll in classes; even taking night classes while working as a full-time sixth grade teacher.
Smith, a liberal arts major with a focus in communications and political science, will take the stage as the student commencement speaker at the University of St. Thomas commencement at 10 a.m., May 17 at Reliant Arena. Smith said his story is “testament to perseverance,” and serves as an example for other students to never give up.
His initial doubts were put to rest, and despite the challenges of his academic career, Derek Smith persevered and never lost the faith. Since the fall of 2001, Smith has been a leader on the UST campus. He served as Black Student Union president, a Student Government Association senator, a Lector and a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the UST rugby and baseball teams, Vee Jitsu martial arts club and participated in multiple intramural sports. He was awarded the Spirituality Commitment Award for UST at the 2004 Leadership Awards Banquet.
His speech entitled, “Keeping the Faith and Leading the Way,” will remind the audience, “life is in a constant state of flux, yet Christ’s teachings remain prevalent,” “ … to do the right thing not just for yourself, but for the sake of those who are watching you,” and “to thank all those who helped us along the way,” Smith said.
“It has all worked out in the long run. For me, it has been a very long run,” Smith said. “I would not have made it this far without faith. I wouldn’t have made it without the outstanding support of the faculty and staff at St. Thomas,” he said.
Smith said his graduation, while joyous, is bittersweet. He will walk across the stage in memory of his older sister, Chanda Nichele Smith, who died in a car crash in Washington D.C. in 1998 only weeks before her own college graduation.
Smith currently teaches sixth grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Baytown. Smith’s mother, Yolanda Irby-Smith is also an educator. The support from his mother, St. Joseph Principal Dr. Ann Mullins and many others have inspired Smith to continue teaching. After a few more years of teaching, Smith plans to pursue a master’s degree in education.
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