First, as a fan, let me say that I love the book “Hamilton: The Revolution” and was especially moved by the sonnet you wrote for the Tony Awards. Your words, “We chase the melodies that seem to find us/Until they’re finished songs and start to play” completely resonate with my request.

Although this is an invitation to you, it’s a bit like chasing a melody on behalf of the 4,000 plus students who will graduate next spring from Salt Lake Community College. Students who are balancing jobs, family and school all toward achieving their own academic, personal and career goals; students who are the first in their family to attend college and who are transforming their lives. When you passionately want something in life you conjure it visually, you imagine the feeling of achievement and you work tirelessly toward its realization. In my dream, I see you delivering the 2018 Commencement address to thousands of students, their families and friends, inspiring a new generation of our graduates to achieve their own dreams, just as you did with “Hamilton” and continue to do in life.

I am fully aware this is a longshot. I know your demand is high and your time extremely valuable; but I hope you will consider coming to SLCC to witness our extraordinary graduates, to celebrate their achievements and to honor them with your insight and inspiration. Our Commencement will be held on May 4, 2018 at 10:00 am. Words can not describe what an honor it would be for you to accept this offer.

Bookended by beautiful mountain ranges to the east and west, SLCC is located in Salt Lake City, the most diverse city in Utah. We sit right in the heart of Salt Lake City, a liberal and diverse enclave situated within the reddest of states. Over the past 10 years, our immigrant, refugee and Latino(a) population has soared and there are now over 80 languages spoken in the Salt Lake City school district. The impact we will have as a community college is palpable within the city, but I fear is unknown to many nationally who equate our College with a state which is considered fairly homogenous.

SLCC is the only comprehensive community college in Utah. In addition to our successful graduation numbers, we just launched the SLCCPromise designed to help the neediest students fund their entire education. We have saved students $3 million in 3 years because we’ve gone textbook-free in many courses. We take access, affordability and inclusivity seriously and we are the most diverse college in Utah: 64% of our new students are first generation, 20% of our students identify as racially or ethnically diverse, and our graduates range in age from 16-82. These are ideals that no doubt strike a chord with you—and I hope further compel you to consider my offer.

You write about people who achieve when others think they can’t. You believe in the new America. You stand up for love. And you know the importance of education. All of those facets compel me to extend this invitation… to “chase” the melody, if you will.

As president of SLCC, I am driven by and inspired by our students every day. I want them to have an extraordinary graduation. To borrow once again from your sonnet, I hope you will consider filling the hearts and minds of our graduates with the song that is your life, love and passion—join us and be the pride of SLCC’s 2018 Commencement.