A life of impact: Retired Major General Anderson inspires UW-Green Bay graduates
Retired Major General Marcia Anderson, Commencement Speaker for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s 111th commencement on Saturday, May 17, 2025 shared heartfelt and hard-earned wisdom during the afternoon ceremony. With humility and humor, she admitted that the lessons she offered were ones she had stumbled upon over time. Yet, each anecdote she shared was deeply rooted in her remarkable 36-year military career and her ongoing commitment to community leadership. Anderson currently serves on the Green Bay Packers Executive Committee and Board of Directors, as well as the boards of MGE Energy and Nicolet National Bank—testaments to a life dedicated to service, excellence, and impact.
Please see her full remarks, below.
“Chancellor Alexander, Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed faculty, proud parents and friends, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2025,
It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you today on this happy occasion. Today, we celebrate your hard work, dedication, and the countless hours you have invested in your education. As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your lives, I want to share with you some valuable lessons that I stumbled upon over the past 60 plus years. And, when I say stumble, I really mean it. I was a first-generation college student, so I had to figure this out by myself. I wasn’t like some of my classmates who had planned their lives for the next 20 years. I was mostly trusting that things would fall into place, and I originally signed up for the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) because the posters looked a lot like a physical education class and best of all, they gave me a stipend of $100 a month just to go to class. What a deal! You’re probably thinking: What? Well, in 1977 the $100 paid the car note on a brand-new Toyota Corolla with an AM radio and helped me get to my TWO part-time jobs. Even though Army ROTC was kind of an accident, it helped me figure out who I was, what I was passionate about and how to be resilient in the face of adversity. That leads me to the three key themes that I believe will serve you well as you navigate your future: one, do not let others define who you are; two, you do not need to be perfect; and three, along the way try selflessness and give back to others.
First, do not let others define who you are. I was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, and grew up in a single parent home in the St. Louis area, failed kindergarten and had to repeat it. Maybe I ate the glue stick or something, but my teacher told my mom that I was slow. Instead of accepting that label or believing it, I just got mad! So mad that I pushed myself, took a bunch of advanced placement courses, left high school a semester early to take additional courses so that I entered college as a sophomore and finished in three years. So there, Mrs. Sawinski!!
As you step into the world beyond these university walls, you will undoubtedly encounter individuals who may try to impose their expectations and limitations on you. They may tell you what you can or cannot achieve based on their own biases and preconceived notions. However, it is crucial to remember that You are the author of your own story. You have the power to define who you are and what you can achieve. Lots of people told me to aim lower like my high school guidance counselor, after I told her I was going to be a lawyer. I was polite, but pretty much told her to go pound sand! Embrace your uniqueness, trust in your abilities, and never let anyone else dictate your worth or potential. Now, I am not saying that you should be delusional about your talents – that is not the takeaway, but you have what it takes, or you wouldn’t be sitting in those chairs today.
The second theme I want to emphasize is that you do not need to be perfect. In a world that often glorifies perfection and success, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that you must be flawless to succeed. One of my favorite people is Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. He said, “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
I am so glad that I did not grow up in a world full of social media. Influencers and others who have perfect hair, and flawless physical appearances, go on unbelievable vacations, and have hugely successful lives – or so they want us to think. However, the reality is that perfection is an unattainable and unrealistic standard. Success is not about being perfect or great, but as the Rock said, hard work. Just be willing to embrace your imperfections, learn from your mistakes and have people in your work and personal lives who will tell you the truth – even when it makes you uncomfortable.
Along the way I had a lot of setbacks and challenges and faced failure and disappointment. Like the time one of my fellow Army officers told me that I was taking a job that he or one of his friends should have, which made me feel bad and as if I did not belong. Today I know that I deserved those opportunities because I had taken on the hardest assignments along the way and excelled at them. There were numerous times as a lawyer that I applied for jobs that I didn’t get, and I got fired from one job mostly because I failed to understand office politics – it’s a very real thing, but that’s a whole different speech! However, I didn’t let those experiences define me or deter me from my goals. Instead, I believed as Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” So, I took calculated risks and reminded myself constantly that success is not about being perfect, but about being persistent, resilient, adaptable, and willing to learn from your experiences, and most importantly surround yourself with people who will, as a friend of mine often said, ‘tell you the true truth’.
The final theme I want to highlight is the importance of selflessness and giving back. I am proud to have served my country for 36 years as a Soldier, both full-time and in the Army Reserve. As a member of the Army Reserve, I balanced my civilian career with my military service. And even though I was busy, I found the time to volunteer in my community and found time to be a mentor to anyone who was interested.
I encourage you to embrace the spirit of selflessness and service. Look for opportunities to give back to your communities, support those in need, and make a positive difference in the world. Whether it is through volunteering, mentoring, or simply offering a helping hand to someone in need, your actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others. It doesn’t matter how old you are – your life experiences can help someone else. Each one can teach one.
In conclusion, I urge you to embrace your uniqueness, trust in your abilities, and forge your own path. Remember that you do not need to be perfect. Embrace your imperfections, learn from your mistakes, and use them as opportunities for growth. And finally, along the way, try selflessness and give back. Look for opportunities to serve others and make a positive impact in the world, because it’s your world now, and at my advanced age, I just get to live in it. So, please don’t mess up! I see you!
Congratulations, Class of 2025! I know there is nothing you can’t accomplish.
Thank you, and best of luck on your journeys ahead!”
