GriffinShare @ Fontbonne University

Zarif Cejvanovic, (right) in uniform posing with a fellow soldier.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/cejvanovic-photos/1045/thumbnail.jp

Cejvanovic Photos: 046

The Questions
What is going on here? 
Who is not here. Whose voice is not being represented?
Who am I in this and what do I bring? 
To whom can I turn?https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/faculty-books/1031/thumbnail.jp

Norton, Heather

Fontbonne University 
GriffinShare 
Faculty Bookshelf Faculty Works 
12-8-2023 
Questions for when Something is Beginning [Commencement 
Address] 
Heather Norton 
Fontbonne University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/faculty-books 
Recommended Citation 
Norton, Heather, "Questions for when Something is Beginning [Commencement Address]" (2023). Faculty 
Bookshelf. 32. 
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/faculty-books/32 
Questions for when Something is Beginning 
Fontbonne University December 2023 Commencement Address 
 
Dr. Blattner, members of the Board of Trustees, my faculty colleagues, graduates and 
your families.  It is my deepest privilege to speak to you tonight.  
I will always smile—and probably tear up—when Pomp and Circumstance is played 
because it is the sound of Commencement.  We call this ceremony “commencement”—
which means to begin.  To step in. To start anew.  It reminds me that: Something is 
ending.  Something is beginning.  And for a few minutes tonight, we get to stand in that 
liminal, between, place where both are true at the same time.  
Graduates--tonight, Pomp and Circumstance was played for you, and I hope that you 
feel important, and exhilarated, and proud, and beloved.  And maybe . . . a bit wistful.  I 
do.  Because unlike the many other commencements I’ve attended in this gymnasium, 
this time I’m coming with you—and some my colleagues are, too.  I’m taking a deep 
breath and stepping into the uncertain future.  But also?  I’m not entirely ready to leave 
this place and these people. Perhaps you feel the same.  
Commencement speeches are supposed to send you out into your brilliant futures with 
profound words of wisdom.  However, I think that questions often serve us better, so 
tonight I’m offering some questions. I hope that asking yourself these questions can help 
point you in the right direction maybe even help you to “order your steps” when you’ve 
moved beyond Fontbonne. 
The first question that I hope that you ask often is What is going on here? The world is 
complex and often confusing and, let’s admit it, there are a lot of unreliable narrators 
out there. But curiosity will always be your friend.  I hope that curiosity is a habit for you 
now.  I hope that you’ve had your mind blown in a psychology or science class, come to 
understand that history is rarely comfortable, and that health care systems and 
technology have bias built in. That math is beautiful—but that counting is hard.  That AI 
can assemble words but that only you can do the thinking.  You take with you so much 
knowledge—use it and your curiosity to continue to ask “what is going on here?” and to 
not accept the easy answers. 
To figure out “what is going on here,” you’ll need to also ask Question #2: Who is not 
here.  Whose voice is not being represented. Understanding the complicated challenges 
we face today can be daunting and even burdensome.  AND, you are armed with keen, 
hard-earned insight and critical thinking skills, and have hearts armored by the Sisters 
of St. Joseph who remind us in their creed and in their deed that we are deeply 
obligated to each other, without distinction.  And this world needs you to do your part 
where you can with what you have, so part of your obligation to your community and 
your world is asking “who should be here that isn’t,” and working toward figuring out 
what to do about it.  
Question #3 is Who am I in this and what do I bring?  In the most literal sense—you 
were the college Covid generation.  You found your way to university during an historic 
pandemic and largely started your experience in individual spaces on Zoom or sat in 
classrooms six feet apart—checking in on the desk with your phone.  Do you remember 
that?  And you made it here—to graduation.  You blazed your own trail because you had 
no choice.  Along the way, you changed teaching and learning and (sometimes painfully) 
made us better teachers.  
Your individual presence as a Griffin also mattered.  Your fellow students and professors 
learned from you as you did from them.  You have been prepared to find a job but more 
importantly to build a life through your course work, leadership programs, student 
activities, athletic teams, campus ministry, resident assistant work, commuting while 
taking care of family members, and studying, working, living, and laughing with many 
people who do not look, think, eat or pray like you. You bring much to this world—take 
time to consider what your particular talents and abilities can bring to bear. 
The last question I’ll remind you to ask is: To whom can I turn?  When you make that 
list, I hope that you include the people you’ve known at Fontbonne.  I’ve long told my 
graduating students that we belong to each other now.  I will always say, when I see 
them, “that’s one of mine!” I will never not be proud--as I am of you and also of my 
colleagues whose work here is testament to the fact that hard work, relationships, and 
social justice form the foundation for transformative education.  And you should also 
consider us yours.  Because you are.  So find us when you need us –and even when you 
don’t, because that’s what people who belong to each other do.   
It matters that we have been here now, together, doing this work. 
So, as you can see and feel--Something is ending.  Something is beginning.  This liminal 
space lasts but a minute and it’s time to go.  Take good questions and the best of 
yourself, your experiences, and each other with you.   
May peace be with you all as we all commence. 
 
Heather M. Norton, Ph.D. 
December 8, 2023 
 


English

Questions for when Something is Beginning [Commencement Address]

Rifet Buljubašić playing basketball in highschool.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/buljubasic-photos/1009/thumbnail.jp

Buljubašić Photos: 010

Family Photo of Rifet, Jasminka, Ammar, Ben, and Tarik Buljubašić from around the year 2010.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/buljubasic-photos/1022/thumbnail.jp

Buljubašić Photos: 023

Photo of Rifet, Tarik, Ben, and Ammar Buljubašić posing next to a war memorial.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/buljubasic-photos/1032/thumbnail.jp

Buljubašić Photos: 033

Fontbonne Community Connection

Archives Report   2022-2023 
 
This is not a committee, but rather is the work of one person.  Nancy English. 
 
The purpose of this position is to save all important documents pertaining to FCC and to make 
sure they are organized within the university archives. 
 
This past year has been devoted to digitally organizing the FCC files from 2018 to 2023. I have 
been determining what to keep for each year and what to remove from each year and then 
digitally organizing all of the files into the same yearly format in order for them to be uploaded 
to GriffinShare, the University Archives.   
 
During this past year, I was able to make an Excel spreadsheet showing all of the projects that 
have been funded from 2008 through 2023.  Each was recorded showing its title, the amount of 
money that was funded, what person submitted the grant application and the university 
department that benefitted from the project. This file is set up in such a way that one can also see 
the awards by department, showing which awards that department has received and the total 
amount of money that has been dispersed to that department from the FCC. 
 
In late 2023, these files will begin to appear in GriffinShare. Once the years from 2018 to 2023 
have been uploaded, the files from the physical archives will begin to be digitized and entered 
into GriffinShare. 
 
Respectfully submitted by Nancy English, Archives Chair 


FCC Reports: 2022-2023 Archives Committee Report

Fontbonne University

 
Having trouble viewing this email? View online here!  
 
  
 
  
 
 
BLACK JEOPARDY: February 2nd 
Come out and celebrate the start of Black History Month with Multicultural 
Affairs in the AMC from 6 - 8 pm. There will be snacks and drinks!  
 
BLACK STUDENT UNION EVENT-SKATE KING: February 3rd 
 
BSU will be hosting an event at Skate King from 7-10pm. BSU will take care of 
cost for admissions and skates. Students will need to provide their own 
transportation.  
 
 
BATTLE OF BIG BEND: February 4th 
Come out to support our men's and women's basketball teams as they take on 
Webster University.  The Lady Griffins tip off at 12pm and the men at 2pm. T-
shirts will be available for the first 60 students to show their Fontbonne ID at the 
women's game. 
 
Throughout the game, we'll have snacks, games and other give-aways. Please 
consider bringing loose change to support GriffinTHON's goal of raising funds 
for Children's Miracle Network. Contact Rayne Ebersold with questions. 
 
 
 
 
 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL 
SCHEDULE OF ATHLETIC HOME 
GAMES FOR THIS WEEK!  
 
 
CENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULE 
What do they need to know in 25 years? About Fontbonne? About YOU? Next 
spring, University Archives is planning to bury a short-term time capsule as part 
 
of the Centennial celebration, and we’re looking for ideas of items to include. 
Please send suggestions to archives@fontbonne.edu.  
 
 
STAMPING YOUR CENTENNIAL PASSPORT 
The Centennial Passport Program is still continuing forward – just as an online 
process instead of physical stamping. When you attend a campus event, 
CLICK HERE to submit your passport stamp request for Traditions, Athletics, 
Academics, Multicultural or Leadership. Simply snap a photo of yourself at the 
event you believe covers that category and submit the link within two hours of 
the event ending! Students that complete this process by SpringFest ’23 (in 
April 2023) are eligible to win the grand prize consisting of $500.00 to 
Southwest Air and $500.00 to a hotel chain! Contact Joel Hermann, with 
questions.  
 
  
Event Calendar  
 
 
Centennial Passport Stamps  
 
 
Event Calendar  
 
 
Centennial  
 
 
Di ing Menu  
Student Organizations  
Athletics  
Student Resources  
Student Activities Submission  
 
 
 
 


Student Mailer: January 23, 2023

Students in the Disney Leaders Institute program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/7843/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 6844

A student in the Disney Leaders Institute program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/7860/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 6861

Students in the Disney Leaders Institute program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/7863/thumbnail.jp