Winter Commencement 2024 Feature
Colorado Mesa University’s Winter 2024 Commencement was not only a celebration of the 813 graduates who received 940 degrees but was also a powerful reminder how the university’s core values are embodied in the students it serves. Two graduates, Sonia Gutierrez and Mathias Mulumba, embodied these values in their heartfelt speeches as this years’ featured graduates, sharing their remarkable journeys that led them to this momentous day.
Mathias Mulumba’s journey to CMU’s graduation stage began half a world away in Kampala, Uganda. His story is one of survival, hope, and an unyielding determination to create a better life for himself through love and education.
Mathias was born into a life of struggle. As a young boy, a decision rooted in poverty led him to live with his aunt. The years that followed were marked by abuse and neglect, prompting Mathias to run away from his aunt’s house and live on the streets of Kampala. For years, Mathias survived by scavenging for food and relying on the kindness of strangers. His resilience during these difficult years was rooted in a deep-seated hope that life could offer something more.
His life took a transformative turn when a small group of good Samaritans found him, offering him hope through faith, education and the simple yet profound power of human kindness. These acts of love set him on a path he never could have imagined—one that would eventually lead him across the world to Colorado Mesa University.
For Mathias, the idea of studying at CMU seemed like a distant dream—one meant for people different than himself. But as fate would have it, a chance encounter changed everything.
It started with a conversation with the Ludlam family, who sought his insight into a family trip to Uganda. Mathias agreed to meet, and over coffee, he offered his expertise on Uganda, never expecting that this meeting would change the course of his life. During the conversation, David Ludlam, an employee at CMU, mentioned his work at the university. Mathias expressed his long-held desire to pursue higher education, and the two struck a life-changing deal: if David would take his family to Africa, David would help Mathias find a way to study at CMU.
That agreement marked the beginning of Mathias’ journey to CMU, where first he had to earn his GED. Once he made his way to CMU, he found more than just a place to earn a degree. On campus, Mathias discovered a community that welcomed him with open arms, a place where the values of love, courage, dignity and resilience are more than just words—they are lived experiences.
CMU’s identity as a Human Scale University was something Mathias experienced firsthand. From the moment he arrived on campus, he was connected to resources and faculty who would shape his academic journey.
Throughout his time at CMU, Mathias came to deeply appreciate the university’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all students. With nearly 50% of its student body made up of first-generation college students, CMU is a place where students from all backgrounds, no matter their starting point, can thrive. For Mathias, this meant not only gaining an education but also finding a community that supported him every step of the way.
As Mathias reflected on his journey at CMU during his commencement speech, he spoke passionately about the values that have defined his life: love, resilience and service to others. His commencement speech was a reminder that love has the power to change lives—just as it changed his own.
“Love is what led good people to pick me from the streets of Kampala,” said Mathias. “Love is seeing the problem of poverty and wanting to do something about it. In fact, now like never before, I strongly believe we can break the cycle of poverty through education.”
Mathias’ story is a powerful reminder that education is more than just earning a degree—it’s about finding purpose, building connections and using education as a tool for an opportunity for a better life.