Governor Hogan today served as the commencement speaker for the Stephen Decatur High School Class of 2024, drawing on his battle with cancer to impart life lessons.
Watch Governor Hogan’s remarks.
View more photos from the graduation ceremony here.
Governor Hogan’s Commencement Speech at Stephen Decatur High School
Berlin, MD
May 29, 2024
As Prepared For Delivery
Good evening, thank you very much. Principal Sites, thank you.
To the administrators, the faculty, the coaches, and the staff, thank you for everything you have done for these incredible students. To the parents, the brothers and sisters, the aunts and uncles, and most especially—to my people—the grandparents, I know how proud you all must feel at this exciting moment.
Most importantly, a big shout out to the real stars of the show, the Stephen Decatur High School Class of 2024—Congratulations!
It is an honor to be here in the presence of what is clearly the greatest graduating class in the history of this school. State champions in football, wrestling, and strength & conditioning. Regional champions in field hockey, basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball and softball. Four national merit scholars, two published authors, two national research presenters, and more than $18 million dollars in scholarships. You guys really kicked some ass. It’s ok, I was the governor so I can say that.
You know, I’ve been thinking back to about one hundred years ago when I was graduating from high school, and I thought about what advice I would want to impart to my younger self if given the chance. Then I had to decide which of that advice would actually be appropriate to share, especially in front of your families tonight.
So instead, I thought I would just tell you a story about a country singer. It began almost nine years ago to this day, not long after I was first sworn in as Maryland’s governor, when I heard my doctor say 13 words that changed my life.
“Governor, I’m afraid we have some very difficult news to share with you.” And with those 13 words, I was diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive cancer which had already spread rapidly throughout my body.
Heading back to the governor’s mansion, all I could think about was how I would tell my family. It was the Friday of Father’s Day weekend so I thought maybe I could wait until after the weekend or maybe I could downplay it so they wouldn’t have to worry or make a big deal about it. And then even if I got through that, what would I tell my staff who had given up their lives to help me? And what would I tell the six million people of Maryland who had just elected me?
But the second I did start to share my news, amid the many tears that followed, everything became easier and the people around me became my support system, and the people of this great state became my prayer circle—sending in cards and letters, making bracelets, and wearing shirts that said “Hogan Strong.”
All of this gave me something more important than any title or recognition—it gave me perspective on what truly matters in life.
So that is the first lesson: I know you hear a lot about how we live in a fragmented society now—especially with social media—but no matter where life takes you from here, lean on your family, your mentors, your friends, your team, and your community. I can tell you that the most important things in your life aren’t actually things—they’re people.
It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. We all need help sometimes.
So after I announced my diagnosis to the state that Monday, my doctors wanted me to begin treatment as soon as possible. But there were no plans for what to do when a governor has an aggressive cancer.
Meanwhile, people on TV were talking about me like my days were numbered. So, again with the help of my team, we just did what had to be done: I governed the state from a hospital bed in Baltimore while enduring many months of 24 hour a day chemotherapy.
I held meetings and made important decisions in the hospital, in between laps walking around the hall dragging my chemo pole along with me, talking to the medical staff, my fellow patients, and their families.
And that is the second lesson: There are going to be times in your life when things are gonna hit you from out of the blue. So you should expect the unexpected. But what’s more important is that you accept the unexpected and that you embrace the challenges in life.
Don’t get thrown off course when obstacles appear. Take the initiative and set the course yourself—and don’t ever give up. Trust your instincts and believe in your ability to bounce back.
By Thanksgiving of that year, I was able to report to the state that incredibly I was cancer-free and in complete remission. Tonight, I’m grateful to say that to this day I still am.
I returned to the state house with less hair— well, really no hair after that—I not only served out my first term as governor, but I went on to become only the second Republican to ever be re-elected as governor in the 240-year history of the state. I can assure you, this is proof that anything is possible.
But more importantly, on the day I found out I was cancer-free, I pledged that as long as I was governor and long after that, I would stand with all those patients and families I met along the way and do whatever is in my power I could to help raise awareness and encourage the research and build the labs and hospitals that will one day lead to a cure for this terrible disease. I’m proud to still be in that fight every day alongside my fellow survivors.
So this is the next lesson: In your life, you will learn how truly important and meaningful it is to give back, to serve, to pay it forward, and to help others. To be a part of the solution and not be part of the problem. I encourage you to find some cause greater than yourself that inspires you and then fight like hell to do something about it. What makes America the greatest nation on earth and a shining city on a hill is that each and every one of us can always be part of making it better.
By now, you’re probably wondering where the country singer story comes in. Well, along the way in my cancer battle, I was inspired by a song called “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. The song tells the story of a man who gets the news of a life-threatening illness and the perspective he gains on life from the experience.
It’s about making the most out of every day you have. The man talks about how he’s on borrowed time and says: “Someday, I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.”
I played it on my iPad right after I got my diagnosis, and I kept a copy of the lyrics on my desk.
Tim McGraw did a benefit concert in Baltimore that fall for the University of Maryland hospital where I was being treated. I met him backstage and thanked him for how his song had inspired me. Then I introduced him on stage and he gave a great concert, and when he came out for a second encore—and the final song of the night—he pointed at me and said, “This song goes out to the governor. He’s a good man going through a tough fight.” And he sang “Live Like You Were Dying.”
As I was leaving that night, his manager handed me a Tim McGraw guitar, which was signed, “To the Gov, live like you were dying.” There’s no life lesson there, it’s just a really cool story.
Except to say to you, the Stephen Decatur High School Class of 2024, may the road ahead of you be filled with great successes, a lifetime of memories, and the unwavering belief that you can overcome anything that is thrown in your way. And whatever happens, I hope you get the chance to laugh, to love, and to live like you were dying. Make the most out of every single day you have.
Good luck, and congratulations!
