Kim Barker

Reporter for The New York Times & Author of The Taliban Shuffle
Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Kim Barker was the South Asia bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune between 2004 and 2009, directing coverage of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, meaning she was more at home on a plane than anywhere else. She wrote a book about her time there, The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a darkly comic memoir published by Doubleday in March 2011. Read More

There is no such thing as a straight road to happiness, and sometimes the best road is the one that meanders, detours, and sometimes hits a dead end. . . . There is no such thing as stuck. There is no such thing as no way out.

Barker's "secrets to a happy life"

• lots of risk
• tons of failure
• flexibility
• an open heart
• an updated passport

Nick Fradiani

2015 American Idol Winner performed "Beautiful Life"

2015 American Idol winner @nickfradiani performs "Beautiful Life" at commencement. #SCSU2016 pic.twitter.com/8oRzjOySgW

— SCSU (Southern) (@SCSUtweet) May 20, 2016

When @nickfradiani plays at your graduation and @kim_barker gives one heck of a speech!! 😍😄🎓 #SCSU2016

— Alicia ⚓ (@Lisha_Christine) May 20, 2016

Omg!! I just saw @nickfradiani perform at my sister's graduation!!! So awesome!! #SCSU2016 #starstruck pic.twitter.com/tCcAEpNdRt

— Annette (@AnnetteS929) May 20, 2016

Nick Fradiani #SCSU2016 commencement singing for his sister @SCSUtweet pic.twitter.com/Cyk0u3d1pO

— Dean of Edu., SCSU (@DeanHegedus) May 20, 2016

@nickfradiani thanks for performing at our commencement today!! #SCSU2016 #guilfordpride #hometownhero

— Courtney Streeto ♐️ (@cstreeto) May 20, 2016