A week ago, Robert Smith, the commencement speaker for Morehouse College pledged to pay off the student loans of the class of 2019. Reaction has ranged from shock to elation to envy. The Washington Post even had an editorial asking if it was even fair that this generous gift was made as others struggle to pay for their education. However, I think it’s shortsighted to just think about the donation in and of itself.
Think about the young man who doesn’t have to worry about getting multiple jobs just to pay back his loan. Think about the parents who took out a second loan just to pay for their son’s education. Think about that graduate who was so moved by Mr. Smith’s donation that he has already started planning to pay it forward. Mr. Smith didn’t just pay off student loans. He likely changed the trajectory for many of the graduates, inspiring them to dream bigger and pursue those goals that were impossible a mere 10 days ago.
If you’re still paying your student loans years after graduation, don’t see what happened at Morehouse as “What about me? What about my struggle?” Trust that this gift given to the graduates will benefit all of us in ways we haven’t even imagined.
Association Advocacy Chick 