During his commencement address, Matthew Parker encouraged Troy University Dothan graduates to continue to seek knowledge, never be afraid of change and always persevere. 

Serving as President of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce for the last 26 years, Parker acts as the lead economic developer for new business development and support for existing industry in the Dothan area and has been professionally involved in economic and community development locally since 1989.

“Congratulations on the end of your undergraduate and graduate college education,” he said. “You’ve worked hard and earned all the accolades coming your way. But I hope today is just the beginning of what will be a lifetime of learning for you.”

In an increasing world of social media and artificial intelligence, Parker encouraged graduates to discover who they are and stay true to themselves.

“As you seek to find your place in the world where you can make your most meaningful contributions, don’t let the world define who you are. Be who you are,” he said. “Be you because everyone else is taken, and let that adage be your guiding star. Ask yourself, ‘What is my guiding light?’ You’ve gained foundational knowledge with your education, but I encourage you to continue to research and seek the truth wherever it may lead.”

Parker said that while their moral compass might not change over time, who they are will continue to ebb and flow and not to be afraid of those changes.

“When you think about it, very few people know from early on what they’re going to be when they grow up. Many successful people have found themselves inventing, and reinventing, who they are many times during their life’s journey,” he said. “There’s a saying that goes, ‘Don’t let who you are now stop you from who you could be.’ Don’t let who you were talk you away from who you are becoming. Don’t be afraid of change.”

Lastly, Parker advised the grads to find their passion, be adaptable and turn negativity into positivity.

“You can bet there surely will be challenges, but don’t listen to negativity. Embrace it, and don’t give up,” he said. “As you step into the next life tomorrow and the days after… astound yourself. I can hardly wait to see your progress.”

Through close working relationships at the local, state and federal levels, he has worked on initiatives that have enhanced the resources available to attract and support business in Alabama’s southeastern region. He continues working to create legislation to enhance economic development activities for manufacturing and aerospace.

Since working in economic development at the Dothan Area Chamber, the area has gained over 20,000 new jobs and $1.88 billion in industrial development investment. Parker has worked on projects and initiatives that brought $82 million in federal, state or foundation resources to enhance business development, infrastructure workforce development, education and more. 

Throughout years of service, Parker has also served, or is currently serving, on numerous boards of various state and civic organizations, including Friends of Fort Rucker; The Education Foundation of Dothan’s Future Inc.; The Downtown Group; Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center; Workforce Investment Board for the state and local area; State of Alabama Enterprise Zone Advisory Board; State of Alabama Revolving Fund Committee; Southeast Alabama Council for Economic Development; Girl’s Inc.; Southeast Alabama Regional Development and Planning Commission; Southeast Alabama Regional Revolving Loan Fund Board; Grow Southeast Alabama; Economic Development Association of Alabama; Gov. Riley’s Existing Business Commission; and more.

A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Parker was recruited as a middle-distance runner at Auburn University where he was an ALL-SEC performer. He obtained his degree in public administration from Auburn University and an economic development certification from the University of Oklahoma. His continuing education work has been done at Troy University, and he is also a Leadership Alabama graduate and a Paul Harris Fellow.

He and his wife, Anne, have two children: a daughter, Maria, and a son, Chase. 

A gallery of images can be found here.