December 17, 2024

As she introduced local restaurateur and philanthropist Scott Ressmeyer as the speaker during the university’s commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 13, Columbus State University President Stuart Rayfield said he embodied “resilience, determination and an unrelenting commitment to making a difference in this community.”

“Scott’s story reminds us that success is not only what we achieve,” she added, “but it’s about what we give back.”

Ressmeyer entered each ceremony on his signature Harley-Davidson motorcycle, promising one-of-a-kind remarks since his script was nothing more than blank pieces of paper. He said he lives each day like his script—as blank pages, not knowing what’s in store.

“I start each day thinking about how I can touch the lives of others; how can I make a difference,” he told graduates. “Y’all have the incredible opportunity to do that too. Now you get to go out in the workforce and into the world and share your knowledge and passion. I can’t think of anything greater than each and every one of you being in our community and trying to make a difference.”

Ressmeyer advised graduates to lead from the head and the heart—adopting a servant leadership and service outlook.

“You have the knowledge up here,” Ressmeyer said, pointing to his head. “It’s obviously up there; you’re getting a degree today…you’re graduating from a great university. Keep what you have up here [in your head], but always lead from right here [in your heart]. If you lead from your heart, you can change the world.”

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS GRADS

“What you are embarking on—what your healthcare and health sciences profession is all about—has a real special place in my heart,” Ressmeyer said to graduates at the College of Education & Health Professions commencement ceremony. “What you guys will go out and do day in and day out—making a difference for kids, for seniors, for anyone needing help—there’s no doubt in my mind that you have really, really big hearts.”

Since 2020, the Miracle Riders have focused their fundraising efforts on enhancing Columbus State’s pediatric nursing programs. The organization’s $1 million commitment—of which they have already raised $600,000—is providing nursing students access to simulation training labs unrivaled by universities Columbus State’s size, or larger.

 

 

Through its three rides since 2020 on Columbus State’s behalf, the Miracle Riders have established a pediatric simulation lab dedicated in 2022, a mother-baby simulation lab in 2024, and a soon-to-be-dedicated neonatal ICU simulation lab. A fourth ride in 2025 is slated to further support the neonatal lab.

“Scott, your words are a gift—a gift that I hope that for this class will continue to keep on giving because each of you have an opportunity to make a difference in our community here or your community back home,” Rayfield (picutred hugging Ressmeyer at the conclusion of one of his speeches) said to the graduates after one of Scott’s speeches.

To Ressmeyer, Rayfield said: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for this university and our community. You are one of my heroes, and I appreciate you more than you will ever know.”

ABOUT RESSMEYER

A graduate of Hardaway High School, Ressmeyer grew up in Columbus after his family moved to the Fountain City when he was 2. At 14, he began washing dishes for what would become Country’s Barbecue, working his way up to co-owner at 29—a role he’s held for over 30 years.

Ressmeyer inadvertently founded the Miracle Riders in 2009 during a solo cross-country motorcycle charity ride that spanned 21 days and 48 states to celebrate his 50th birthday. Fifteen years later, his band of motorcyclists has grown to more than 40, and they have raised $2.5 million for children’s health-related services.

In addition to supporting Columbus State through the Miracle Riders, Ressmeyer has served the university and the Chattahoochee Valley in various volunteer capacities. In honor of that, the CSU Alumni Association granted him and his fellow Miracle Riders Honorary Alumni status in 2021; the association has continued to bestow this status on inaugural riders after subsequent rides.

RELIVING FALL COMMENCEMENT

Five graduation-related ceremonies on Dec. 12 and 13 will celebrate the 1,007 Columbus State University students comprising its Fall 2024 graduating class. Ressmeyer’s remarks and recorded live streams of each of the Dec. 13 commencement ceremonies are available at columbusstate.edu/graduation. The site also has a downloadable version of the commencement ceremonies program.

Photos are available for download from the university’s Flickr account, and graduates will receive emails on how to purchase professional photos taken during each ceremony.

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Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu

Related news coverage:
‘If you lead from your heart, you can change the world.’ CSU graduation speaker shares lessons from the school of hard knocks, Dec. 14, 2024, Ledger Enquirer
Columbus restaurateur and philanthropist Scott Ressmeyer offers thoughts to CSU graduates, Dec. 13, 2024, WRBL-TV