Desmond Durham, 36, graduated from Montclair State University on May 23.
, he spoke about his mother, who was a single parent and instilled his love of learning. He also spoke about his father, who was murdered when Durham was 11 years old, and how that loss has impacted his life and career.absence from my life has only motivated me to become the best father figure to my son and a role model to all of the students that I encounter in my teaching career," he said during the speech.
"It will ultimately change my life, my son's life, and I can be able to impact the kids on a greater scale," he said. "So every single day, I had to remind myself that it's a short-term sacrifice for a long-term goal," said Durham.
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