Alumna Kimberly Moore Gives Advice to Class of 2020

The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology held a virtual commencement ceremony on August 8 for candidates receiving graduate and undergraduate degrees in the spring 2020 semester. Warm, heartfelt addresses and words of wisdom were given to the class of 2020 by President Lisa Freeman, Vice President and Provost Beth Ingram, Dean Donald Peterson, as well as the Associate Deans and Chairs of CEET.

Many would say the highlight of the ceremony was the inspiring words given to the class of 2020 by alumna Kimberly Moore, ’01, ’04, president and founder of KDM Engineering of Chicago. Kim graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She founded KDM Engineering, an electrical engineering company that focuses on power delivery, natural gas, and telecommunication design. She was named 2019 Crain’s Chicago 40 Under 40, 2018 Enterprising Woman of the Year, 2018 ENR 40 Under 40 Midwest, among other prestigious achievements.

She told the story of how she came to start her own company and had this advice for graduates:

While the world is a little chaotic and uncertain right now, every challenge that you have faced as a student has prepared you for this exact moment. As engineers, we learned early on to persevere. We find creative ways to solve any problem put before us. And if I’ve learned anything in my personal and professional life, it is that perseverance makes all the difference between our successes and our successful failures. No matter how many times you are told “no,” keep trying. All it takes is one “yes” to achieve your goals.

Watch the entire commencement ceremony along with Kim’s speech here:

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