STEPHENVILLE, Texas — When Sarah Ahmadi began her search for a college, she didn’t even know Tarleton State University existed. Now after four years here, she’s sad about leaving.

She’ll reflect on her experiences in the commencement address at Saturday’s 10 a.m. graduation ceremonies at Memorial Stadium.

“I actually didn’t know about Tarleton until I started to get recruited to run track,” said Sarah, who competed in the heptathlon for 2½ years. “I came on a visit here and dearly loved it.

“It’s bittersweet thinking about leaving. I’ll definitely miss it. The people, the faculty, the students, the community. Everyone is so kind and makes Tarleton feel like home.”

Sarah, who grew up in Allen, will graduate Saturday with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in kinesiology. She will still be part of the student body, as she plans to work on her master’s degree in mental health counseling, beginning next fall on Tarleton’s Waco campus.

Her two years as a Tarleton Transition Mentor sparked her interest and eventually guided toward what she hopes is a career as a licensed counselor.

“I did all the Duck Camp and orientation things,” she said. “It was really a great opportunity to counsel and mentor younger students. I loved it.”

A tragic personal experience hardened her resolve to work in the mental health field.

“My goal of being a counselor was further emphasized when one of my friends committed suicide earlier this year. I want to help people. I don’t want them to be in that spot where they feel like there’s no hope. I want to make a positive impact on other people because Tarleton gave me that opportunity.”

She’s confident her studies have laid a solid groundwork for achieving her goal. “With my sociology courses and taking on leadership roles across campus, I feel equipped to move on to grad school. I learned about time management, problem solving and thinking creatively. Tarleton taught me how to get things done.”

Her speech will focus on how the first leg of her formal education is ending and how much easier it is appreciating the experience as she looks back.

“Hills and valleys are part of everyone’s life,” she said. “Now is a sweet time to reflect on that and to encourage people to be the light in the darkness for others.”

She solidifies that metaphor with an experience Tarleton graduates know from their first days on campus.

“I connect that to us all lighting our flames at convocation.” 

That full circle is like winding up exactly where you should be, even though you weren’t sure of where you were starting.

Sounds like a counselor talking, don’t you think?

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.