The fact that Billie Attaway was physically standing on the stage provided a measure of hope for the fall 2009 graduating class. In 2004, Attaway was diagnosed with stage four malignant squamous cell cancer in his throat. Doctors at the renowned Mayo Clinic offered a grim prognosis; there was a 30 percent chance of survival. Five years and dozens of radiation and chemotherapy treatments later, Attaway delivered the first of two commencement speeches.