ELDRED, NY — There was no need to convince anyone at the Eldred Central School graduation ceremony just how far an ECS grad can go. Commencement speaker Dr. Benjamin Steimle graduated from the school 15 years ago, and since then has been a post-doctoral research fellow at Harvard, an adjunct professor and a senior scientist at DuPont Electronics & Industrial.

It all started at Eldred, and community college.

“I faced questions from peers and mentors regarding my choice to start at a community college—many didn’t understand why I didn’t go directly into a four year bachelor’s program,” Dr. Steimle said. “And yet, it wound up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I say this because it reintroduced me to a love for chemistry that started at this school, but that I had forgotten about in the blur of my final years here.”
He talked about working on exciting chemistry experiments with professors, and meeting faculty members who encouraged him to do academic research.

“All of these wonderful experiences were brought on by a single, innocuous choice,” he said. “A choice that I knew was the right one for me, despite doubts and questions, and one that has since shaped a lot of my decisions.”

He then moved on from academic research to Dupont. He reassured the graduates that it’s okay to change your mind.

“My point here is, even the best-laid plans, even things that look perfect, may not be, and that is okay,” he said. “Life evolves and you will adapt to changes as you make the best choices given the situations you find yourselves in.”

The 41 graduates listened attentively to his advice and the advice of their peers. Valedictorian Madison Bonnell and salutatorian Kaitlyn McGarry also inspired the audience.

Most of the graduating class plans to attend college, with two joining the military and seven planning on joining the workforce right away.

See Dr. Steimle’s full address here.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include additional information.