Montclair State University 2022 Convocation Ceremonies: Feliciano School of Business
WELCOME. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CLASS OF 2022! [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ "TRIUMPHAL MARCH" ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> GRADUATES, PLEASE RISE AS THE ACADEMIC PROCESSIONAL WILL NOW BEGIN. ♪♪ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE PRESENT THE DEAN OF THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, FACULTY AND STAFF. ♪♪ >> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS DR. RONALD STRAUSS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. PLEASE RISE FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, SUNG BY THE 2022 COMMENCEMENT GRADUATE LISA BREMER. ♪ O SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪ ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED ♪ ♪ AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING ♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED ♪ ♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE ♪ ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT♪ ♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ O SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪ [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] ♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪♪ [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> PLEASE BE SEATED. IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME DR. KIMBERLY HOLLISTER, DEAN OF THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> GOOD MORNING -- OR GOOD AFTERNOON. ON BEHALF CERTIFICATE FELICIANO -- OF THE FELICIANO BUSINESS FACULTY AND STAFF, LET ME BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE YOU, THE CLASS OF 2022. YOU HAVE BEEN AN EXCEPTIONAL REPRESENTATION OF THE SCHOOL AND THE UNIVERSITY AND WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF YOUR JOURNEY. AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS TODAY, TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE PATH THAT YOUR CLASS GOT HERE AND THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACED, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY TO EARN THE SEAT YOU HAVE NOW ON THE FIELD. YOU ATTENDED CLASSES IN PERSON, SUDDENLY GOING REMOTE, FROM MASKING TO TESTING TO ISOLATING, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE CHALLENGES FROM COVID. YET THROUGH ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY, YOU PERSEVERED AND, BEST OF ALL, YOU'RE GRADUATING.
EACH OF YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF NOT JUST YOUR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BUT OF YOUR RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION IN MOVING FORWARD DESPITE THE UNCHARTED TERRITORY WE NAVIGATED TOGETHER. I HOPE THAT, IN THIS MOMENT, THAT YOU CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED YOU. AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, YOU WILL UNDOUBTEDLY FACE BOTH OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES.
CONTINUE TO BE YOUR OWN POSITIVE COACH, ENERGIZING YOU AND THOSE AROUND YOU. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FRIENDS AND MENTORS WHO LIFT YOU UP. LET YOUR CORE VALUES GUIDE YOU IN THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE. AND, GRADUATES, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO LET THOSE WHO CARE FOR YOU THE MOST KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR -- YOUR -- THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT AND HELPED TO MAKE THIS DAY POSSIBLE FOR YOU. SO, PARENTS AND THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF OUR GRADUATES, WILL YOU PLEASE RISE.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU. ON THE STAGE WITH ME THIS AFTERNOON ARE MEMBERS OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM, UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES AND SELECTED STUDENT LEADERS. IT IS THE EXCELLENT AND DEDICATED WORK OF OUR FACULTY AND STAFF THAT CREATES THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH OUR STUDENTS AND STUDENT LEADERS CAN THRIVE.
OUR FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES NECESSARY FOR TOMORROW'S LEADERS ENSURE THAT THE GRADUATES OF THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ARE READY FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY. PLEASE WELCOME DR. JUNIUS GONZALES, PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS. DR. RON STRAUSS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN. [ APPLAUSE ] DR. ELIZABETH ROSINI, ASSOCIATE
DEAN. [ APPLAUSE ] MS. ELLIE ESPOSITO, ASSISTANT DEAN. [ APPLAUSE ] DR. ZAMAN ZAMANIAN, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS. [ APPLAUSE ] DR. ANISH REEK, FACULTY MEMBER,
DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM. DR. WENCANG ZHOU, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT. AND DR. MANN, FACULTY MEMBER, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT. [ APPLAUSE ] STUDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
[ APPLAUSE ] REPRESENTING OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, GUILLERMO ESTRADA. [ APPLAUSE ] CHRISTIE HERRERA. [ APPLAUSE ] KARLA FARFAN MIGUEL.
[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE ALSO VERY PROUD TO HAVE WITH US ON STAGE OUR GRADUATING UNIVERSITY FELLOWS AND STUDENT LEADERS. ADAM BURGER. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] KELLY COBBINA. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] KIM FERLISI. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] DIAMOND GOODWYN.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] CHELSEA HUERTAS. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND KAYLA ROMERO. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. WILL THE FACULTY AND STAFF PLEASE RISE AND BE RECOGNIZED. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU.
WILL ASSOCIATE DEAN ROSINI PLEASE JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM AND INTRODUCE OUR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT. >> THANK YOU, DEAN HOLLISTER. THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A GRADUATE OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY WHO HAS ACHIEVED DISTINCTION IN HIS OR HER PROFESSION AND WHOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS MAKE HIM OR HER AN EXCEPTIONAL ROLE MODEL FOR OUR GRADUATES. ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PROVOST, THE AWARDS ARE PRESENTED ANNUALLY BY EACH OF THE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. IF NEWS IS BREAKING ON AIRLINE INDUSTRY TRENDS OR PRACTICES, CHANCES ARE YOU'LL SOON SEE HELANE BECKER ON CNBC OR BNN BLOOMBERG COMMENTING ASTUTELY ON THE CARRIERS AND THEIR STRATEGIES.
HELANE IS A MANAGING DIRECTOR AND SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST AT COWEN, A MULTINATIONAL INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT BANK, AND SHE IS CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE TOP ANALYSTS BY INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR AND "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL." SHE HAS SPENT OVER FOUR DECADES ON WALL STREET, HOLDING POSITIONS IN RESEARCH, TRADING, AND INVESTMENT BANKING DEPARTMENTS AT BRAND-NAME INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING CITI, LEHMAN BROTHERS AND SMITH BARNEY. HELANE'S PATH TO WALL STREET FROM NORMAL AVENUE IS AN INTERESTING ONE. AS A MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE, SHE MAJORED IN SPEECH AND THEATER, WITH HER EYE ON A BROADCASTING CAREER. AFTER GRADUATION, A GOOD JOB OFFER IN FINANCIAL SERVICES AS AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL SALESPERSON CAME HER WAY. SHE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE, WHICH WOULD CHANGE HER FOCUS AND ULTIMATELY HER CAREER TRAJECTORY, THOUGH SHE HAS MANAGED TO BECOME SOMETHING OF A FIXTURE WITH CERTAIN TV, RADIO AND ONLINE BROADCASTERS.
ABOUT NINE YEARS AGO, HELANE JOINED THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT HER SIGNATURE COMBINATION OF PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT AND STRATEGIC THINKING TO BEAR IN AREAS LIKE DEGREE COMPLETION AND SKILLS CERTIFICATION. SHE IS A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF PAYING IT FORWARD, SPEAKING FREQUENTLY TO STUDENTS, SERVING AS A MENTOR AND ENDOWING A SCHOLARSHIP. HELANE SHARED A BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT THAT SHE RECEIVED FROM A MENTOR EARLY IN HER CAREER.
HIS WORDS WERE, "YOU ARE VERY SMART, AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANYTHING YOU DO." WE COULDN'T AGREE MORE. IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT OUR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA, HELANE BECKER. AND DEAN HOLLISTER WHO WILL PRESENT HER AWARD.
[ APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DEAN -- DR. ROSINI FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION. I CAN'T QUITE BELIEVE THOSE WORDS WERE SAID ABOUT ME. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I THINK IF MY PARENTS COULD SEE ME NOW, THEY'D BE REALLY PROUD OF ME BECAUSE, LIKE, I FEEL AS THOUGH I'M A REFLECTION OF MANY OF YOU.
I WAS FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM UNIVERSITY, FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO GET AN MBA, TO WORK ON WALL STREET, AND SO, WHICH THINK ABOUT THAT AND -- SO I THINK ABOUT THAT AND A LITTLE OVERWHELMED SO I DID WRITE SOME REMARKS DOWN BECAUSE MY GOOD FRIEND, MICHELE ANSBACHER TOLD ME I MIGHT BE. SO FIRST OF ALL, WE'LL TALK ABOUT MICHELE IN A SECOND. I'M ONLY GOING TO TELL YOU GUYS THREE THINGS, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S ONLY EVER THREE THINGS TO TELL YOU, ABOUT HOW I WENT FROM WHERE YOU'RE SITTING TO WHERE I'M STANDING IN THE LAST FOUR DECADES. ANYTHING LESS THAN THREE I'M PROBABLY GOING TO ADMIT SOMETHING AND ANYTHING MORE -- BUT, OF COURSE, IT'S ALSO YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR STAYING IN SCHOOL BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE TO HEAR WHAT I AM GOING TO TELL YOU.
SO, THERE'S THREE THINGS OVER THE YEARS THAT HELPED ME GET HERE, I GUESS. THE FIRST IS FAMILY FIRST. EVERYBODY WILL TELL YOU THAT THE ONLY PLACE WHERE SUCCESS COMES BEFORE WORK IS IN THE DICTIONARY, BUT FAMILY AND FUN COME FIRST TOO. AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, IN MY OPINION, TO PUT YOUR FAMILY FIRST. I ALWAYS DID.
THERE'S VERY LITTLE THAT HAPPENS AFTER 7:00 AT NIGHT THAT CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 7:00 IN THE MORNING. FAMILY COMES FIRST. BE PRESENT, 100% PRESENT WHEN YOU'RE WITH THEM. BE IN THE MOMENT, BECAUSE THE TIME, AS YOUR OWN FAMILIES WILL TELL YOU, IS REALLY FLEETING.
THE SECOND THING THAT I LEARNED AND AS PART OF BEING PRESENT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TWO YEARS -- EARS, TWO EYES AND ONE NOSE. YES, IT BALANCES OUR FACES OUT REALLY NICELY, BUT IT ALSO TELLS US THAT WE SHOULD DO TWICE AS MUCH LISTENING AND OBSERVING AS WE DO TALKING. AND THE THING ABOUT THAT, I CALL IT LISTENING BETWEEN THE LINES.
IF YOU JUST SIT AND LISTEN TO WHAT SOMEONE IS TELLING YOU AND REALLY BE PRESENT, YOU'D BE SURPRISED WHAT YOU LEARN. THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU TELL SOMEBODY MY AIRLINE FLIGHT GOT CANCELED STORY OR I MISSED THE MEETING.
I DID A HORRIBLE PRESENTATION. ARE THEY LISTENING TO YOU OR ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT HOW THEIR STORY IS WORSE THAN YOUR HORRIBLE STORY? AND THEY REALLY WANT TO TELL YOU THEIR STORY AND FORGET ABOUT YOUR STORY. YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S OKAY TO JUST LISTEN AND NOT FILL A SILENCE. AND IT'S OKAY TO SAVE YOUR STORY FOR ANOTHER DAY AND JUST LISTEN TO THEIR STORY.
PEOPLE WILL APPRECIATE YOU FOR IT. AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS, IT'S KIND OF OKAY TO JUST LISTEN. AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT I'VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS HAS TO DO WITH MY GOOD FRIEND MICHELE ANSBACHER. SO, MICHELE IS GRADUATED ACTUALLY MONTCLAIR STATE A YEAR OR TWO AFTER I DID.
SHE'S OUR ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRPERSON. SHE RETIRED RECENTLY FROM A VERY SENIOR POSITION AT PRUDENTIAL. I WAS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT MY JUNIOR YEAR, AND I WAS CONTROLLING THE MEETING. I HAD MY GAVEL. KIND OF THE WHOLE ROBERTS RULE OF ORDER THING. AND SHE WALKED INTO THE ROOM AND SHE SAID, HEY, IF HELANE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT.
AND ISN'T THAT JUST IT? I SAID I WAS A REFLECTION OF MANY OF YOU. SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THE CHAIRPERSON. SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THE BRANCH MANAGER, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. SOMEBODY HAS TO BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE YOU? AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS IS THE ONLY THING THAT'S ROCKET SCIENCE IS ROCKET SCIENCE.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS A LEARNED EXPERIENCE. I LEARNED, AS DR. HOLLISTER MENTIONED, MY BACKGROUND IS IN SPEECH AND SHEETER WITH A CONS -- THEATER WITH A CONCENTRATION IN BROADCASTING. I SHIFTED MY CAREER TO SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW AND THEN LEARNED IT. SO IF I COULD DO IT, YOU GUYS WHO ARE VERY SMART CAN CERTAINLY DO IT.
AND THEN THE LAST THING FINALLY, ALL I WILL SAY TO YOU IS, YES, IT HELPS TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FAMILY AND A SUPPORTIVE FAMILY. IT REALLY HELPS TO HAVE GOOD MENTORS AND GOOD ALLIES, BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. IT'S OKAY TO SAY TO YOUR BOSS, I WANT THAT PROMOTION. AND WHEN SHE SAYS TO YOU, WELL, YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY HAVE IT RIGHT NOW, IT'S OKAY TO SAY, OKAY, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO SO I CAN HAVE THAT PROMOTION NEXT TIME? SO, YOU BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. AND TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, I WISH A VERY LONG, HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS LIFE.
AND TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN GIVE BACK TO MSU THAT WOULD BE AWESOME. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2022, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, HELANE, FOR YOUR INSPIRING WORDS AND EXAMPLE. THE SENIOR ADDRESS IS PRESENTED THIS YEAR BY A STUDENT WHO HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED TO MSU STUDENTS AND EXEMPLIFIES THE VALUES AND ATTITUDES WE HOPE TO INSPIRE IN ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THIS STUDENT IS THE EPITOME OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND SUCCESS -- DEAN'S LIST, STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, PEER LEADER, PROUD SISTER OF OMEGA PHI CHI MULTICULTURAL SORORITY, CORPORATE EDGE SCHOLAR, STUDENT ASSISTANT RESIDENCE LIFE, INTERNATIONAL DISNEY AMBASSADOR, ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY FELLOW AND AWARDEE OF THE MARIE NESBITT PROMISE PRIZE, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INVITE BERLINE DELINOIS, OR AS MOST OF HER FRIENDS CALL HER BEAR, TO THE CENTER LECTERN IN ORDER TO GIVE THE 2022 FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SENIOR ADDRESS. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE CLASS OF 2022! WE MADE IT! [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] I WANT TO THANK THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH ALL OF YOU. THROUGHOUT THESE FOUR YEARS, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME ACROSS SOME REALLY AMAZING INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE IMPACTED AND CHANGED MY LIFE. THIS INCLUDES THE MANY DIFFERENT ADVISORS THAT I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO CONNECT WITH.
THANK YOU, ERIC, PETER, MARIAH, AND JULEEN, FOR YOUR GUIDANCE. AND THANK YOU, OLGA, FOR ALWAYS BEING A HELPING HAND. IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING FOUR YEARS, AND WITHOUT EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE HERE RIGHT NOW.
THERE WAS ALSO THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUNDING PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS E.O.F., THAT TRULY WAS MY BACKBONE OF SUPPORT. SO, SHOUT-OUT TO ALL THE E.O.F. STUDENTS IN THE CROWD. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THIS PROGRAM INTRODUCED ME TO THE STANDARDS THAT I WILL NEVER LET GO OF. I HAD AMAZING MENTORS LIKE DR. GORDON, DR. JEAN AND MY
AMAZING COUNSELOR MELISSA PECORA CHECKING IN OFTEN. E.O.F. PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE TIMES I NEEDED INCLUDING VARIOUS SITUATIONS INCLUDING PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. IT PROVIDED ME WITH SO MANY THINGS THAT ALLOWED ME TO TAKE ON THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. AS STUDENTS, WE CAN LACK BELIEF IN OURSELVES. PROGRAMS SUCH AS THESE PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT TO THOSE THINGS THAT WE MAY LACK.
E.O.F. INTRODUCED ME TO A PROGRAM CALLED "AMERICA NEEDS YOU" MY FRESHMAN YEAR THAT ALLOWED ME TO NOT ONLY FLOURISH PROFESSIONALLY BUT LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING MENTORSHIP. THERE, I MET A MENTOR WHO TRULY IMPACTED HOW I PREPARED MYSELF FOR THE REAL WORLD.
WHEN I DIDN'T BELIEVE IN MYSELF, HE BELIEVED IN ME, AND HE ALWAYS STOOD BY ME AND SUPPORTED ME. EVEN AFTER THREE YEARS, I STILL REMEMBER THE LITTLE THINGS THAT HE TAUGHT ME. SO, THANK YOU, GARY, FOR ALWAYS REMINDING ME TO PUSH FORWARD. BEING A PART OF OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE CORPORATE EDGE, WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARIAH, MY CAREER ADVISOR, FOR INTRODUCING ME TO, FOR SETTING ME UP FOR SUCCESS. I WILL THINK BACK TO THE CRAZIEST AND FUNNIEST MEMORIES. WAKING UP FOR THOSE 8:00 A.M.
CLASSES AT 8:00 A.M., REMEMBERING LAST MINUTE ABOUT ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE DUE AT 11:59 AND GETTING IT DONE. AND SPENDING THE MOST SPONTANEOUS MOMENTS WITH SO MANY OF MY COLLEGE FRIENDS WILL FOREVER BE MY HIGHLIGHTS.
SO, I WANT TO THANK MY PROUD, SOPHISTICATED SISTERS, HAYDEE, MOIRA, AND AMAYA. THANK YOU FOR MY STUDY BESTIES, THOMAS AND SYMAR! WE REALLY PUSHED THROUGH! I LEARNED THAT MONTCLAIR IS NOT ONLY AN EDUCATIONAL PLACE BUT AN ULTIMATELY AN ENVIRONMENT THAT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PROGRAMS THAT ULTIMATELY LEAD YOU TO PEOPLE. THOSE VERY INDIVIDUALS CAN BE -- CAN GUIDE YOU TO A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LENT A HAND THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE. SO THANK YOU, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, EXTENDED FAMILIES, MENTORS, ADVISORS, STAFF AND FACULTY. ALL OF YOU HELPED MAKE THIS DAY POSSIBLE. SO FOR THAT, WE ALL THANK YOU. AS I MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER AND START MY FULL-TIME JOB, I SEE US ALL DOING GREAT THINGS IN OUR NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO ENTERED MY LIFE AND HELPED ME DEVELOP TO THIS POINT.
AS DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS, I RECOMMEND EVERYONE STAY CONNECTED. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BECOME AND CONTINUE TO BE MENTORS IN YOUR OWN WAYS. MENTORS THAT IMPACT MY LIFE WERE VERY VITAL FOR MY MISSION, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU CAN BECOME VERY VITAL MENTORS FOR PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE THAT HAVE A MISSION. ON THAT NOTE, CLASS OF 2022, AS WE CLOSE THIS CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES, WE JUST -- WE'RE JUST BEGINNING THE NEXT. CONGRATULATIONS! LET'S CONTINUE TO HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS! [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. EACH YEAR, THE DEAN'S AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIORS ARE PRESENTED TO A SMALL GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE MADE EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHOOL, THE UNIVERSITY OR THE COMMUNITY.
I NOW INVITE THE CHAIR OF ECONOMICS, DR. ZAMANIAN, TO JOIN ME AND PRESENT TO THEIR DEPARTMENTAL AWARDEE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> OUR AWARDEE IS NOT ONLY RECEIVING HIS BACHELOR OF ART IN ECONOMICS BUT IS SIMULTANEOUSLY RECEIVING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FINANCE, ALL WHILE MAINTAINING A PERFECT SCORE OR NEAR-PERFECT SCORE OF -- GPA. HE IS A HIGH ACHIEVER, AND THE ECONOMICS FACULTY FELT THAT HIS LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM, MOTIVATION NEEDED TO BE RECOGNIZED. THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARD FOR THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR GOES TO JACOB LODGE.
[ APPLAUSE ] JACOB, PLEASE JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD. CONGRATULATIONS, JACOB! [ APPLAUSE ] >> I NOW INVITE THE CHAIR OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM, TO JOIN ME AND PRESENT THEIR DEPARTMENTAL AWARDEE. >> OUR AWARDEE WAS SELECTED FOR HIS PASSION OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ACHIEVING A GPA OF 3.93. HIS INTEREST IN THE FIELD OF HOSPITALITY STARTED AT A YOUNG AGE WHILE EXPERIENCING AND ENJOYING HIS FAMILY'S LOVE FOR DINING OUT.
HE STARTED SERVING AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE EXPERIENCE TAUGHT HIM THE VALUE OF HARD WORK, EFFICIENCY AND COMMUNICATION. HE HAS IMMERSED HIMSELF IN EVERY ASPECT OF HIS MAJOR AND RECENTLY TRAVELED TO PARIS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ITS CUISINES AND CUSTOMS THERE. OUR AWARDEE HOPES TO ONE DAY OWN HIS OWN ESTABLISHMENT THAT WILL PROVIDE INNOVATIVE DINING EXPERIENCES. THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARD FOR THE HOSPITALITY, SPORTS, EVENTS AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR GOES TO LAWRENCE BADWAY. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] LAWRENCE, PLEASE JOIN ME -- >> I NOW INVITE THE CHAIR OF MANAGEMENT, DR. ZHOU, TO JOIN ME
AND PRESENT THEIR DEPARTMENTAL AWARDEE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> OUR AWARDEE WAS SELECTED FOR BOTH HER OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST GPA IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND FOR HER ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN THE MSU COMMUNITY. SHE IS GRADUATING NOT ONLY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN MANAGEMENT BUT WITH TWO MINORS, ONE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ONE IN PSYCHOLOGY. SHE HAS WORKED AT THE MONTCLAIR STATE RECREATION CENTER, HAS BEEN THE SECRETARY OF THE PRE-LAW SOCIETY, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE UNIVERSITY FELLOWS PROGRAM AND HAS COMPLETED AN INTERNSHIP DURING HER TIME AT MONTCLAIR STATE. THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARD FOR THE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR GOES TO KOMAL BAINS. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] KOMAL, PLEASE -- [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I NOW INVITE DR. MANN, WHO'S
REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING TO JOIN ME AND PRESENT THEIR DEPARTMENTAL AWARDEE. >> OUR AWARDEE IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HER HARD WORK, DISCIPLINE AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. SINCE SHE JOINED THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN FALL 2018 AS A PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AND HONORS STUDENT, SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, SHE HAS HELPED CREATE MARKETING CONTENT FOR THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS WEBSITE AND HAS PARTICIPATED IN MARKETING ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
OUR AWARDEE IS A WELL-ROUNDED, HIGH-ACHIEVING SENIOR, AND WE KNOW THAT SHE WILL REACH HER FULL POTENTIAL IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS. THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARD FOR THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR GOES TO CARLA KO. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] CARLA, PLEASE JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM. >> I NOW INVITE ASSOCIATE DEAN STRAUSS TO THE LECTERN TO RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH HONORS. >> ALONG WITH THE AWARD RECIPIENTS, WE WOULD LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A SPECIAL POPULATION OF OUR GRADUATES, THOSE WHOSE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OVER THEIR YEARS OF STUDY HAS BEEN SO STRONG THAT THEY ARE GRADUATING WITH HONORS, HIGH HONORS, OR HIGHEST HONORS.
IN ORDER TO GRADUATE WITH THE HIGHEST OF ACADEMIC HONORS, A STUDENT MUST HAVE AN OVERALL GPA OF 3.90 TO 4.00. WILL THE SENIORS WHO ARE GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE PLEASE STAND. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] IN ORDER TO GRADUATE WITH HIGH ACADEMIC HONORS, A STUDENT MUST HAVE A 3.80 GPA OR BETTER OVERALL.
WILL THE SENIORS WHO ARE GRADUATING MAGNA CUM LAUDE PLEASE STAND. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] TO GRADUATE WITH ACADEMIC HONORS, A STUDENT MUST HAVE AN OVERALL GPA OF 3.70 OR BETTER. WILL THE SENIORS WHO ARE GRADUATING CUM LAUDE PLEASE STAND.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] LET'S HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF THESE STUDENTS. [ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU. AND NOW, IT GIVES US ALL GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE AND TO INDIVIDUALLY RECOGNIZE THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] WILL THE FACULTY MARSHALS PLEASE PROCEED TO THEIR POSITIONS FOR THE PROCESSION.
THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW INVITE EACH OF OUR GRADUATES TO THE STAGE TO BE INDIVIDUALLY RECOGNIZED AND CONGRATULATED BY OUR FACULTY AND BY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS BEGINNING WITH THE FRONT ROW. WILL THE MARSHALLS AND VOLUNTEER STAFF PLEASE LEAD THE GRADUATES IN THE FOLLOWING MAJORS AND CONCENTRATIONS FORWARD TO THE STAGE: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HOSPITALITY AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.
MANAGEMENT. MARKETING. RETAIL MERCHANDISING AND MANAGEMENT. SPORTS EVENTS AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT.
ECONOMICS MAJORS AND HOSPITALITY, SPORTS AND EVENTS MAJORS. [ ANNOUNCING NAMES ] [ ANNOUNCING NAMES ] [ ANNOUNCING NAMES ] [ ANNOUNCING NAMES ] >> CAN WE HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR 2022 GRADUATES. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] SO, JUST ONE MORE WORD OF ADVICE FOR THE GRADUATES. AS YOU LOOK TOWARDS THE NEXT STEPS OF YOUR JOURNEY, SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE CONCERNED THAT YOU DON'T HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT YET.
AND THAT'S OKAY. MAKE SURE THAT YOU ENJOY THE JOURNEY. AND REMEMBER THAT YOU'RE THE DRIVER. CAREER PATHS TYPICALLY DON'T GO IN STRAIGHT LINES, AND THEY DON'T NEED TO LAST FOREVER.
YOUR INTERESTS AND SKILLS ARE GOING TO EVOLVE. THE MARKETPLACE IS GOING TO EVOLVE. AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A CHANCE OR TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. NEVER LET FEAR STAND IN THE WAY OF PURSUING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES. AND WHEN YOU FIND A MISSION THAT DEEPLY INSPIRES YOU, PURSUE IT WITH ALL OF THE PASSION THAT YOU HAVE.
MY LAST PIECE OF ADVICE IN THIS REALLY CHALLENGING WORLD THAT YOU'RE ALL GRADUATING INTO IS, DON'T FORGET TO LAUGH. THE WORLD CAN BE A CRUEL PLACE, BUT IT'S NOT -- BUT THAT'S NOT -- NO EXCUSE FOR NOT SEEING THE HUMOR IN OUR LIVES AND THE CRAZINESS IN OUR REALITIES. LAUGHTER IS CONTAGIOUS.
WHEN YOU HEAR LAUGHTER, YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE HAS MADE A CHOICE TO LET GO AND BE HAPPY, EVEN IF JUST FOR THAT MOMENT. AND IN CHALLENGING TIMES, LAUGHTER CAN BE COURAGE IN ITSELF. SO, SPREAD LAUGHTER WISELY, OPENLY AND GENEROUSLY, AND USE IT TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND THE JOY OF LIVING. CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] SO, THIS COB CLUEDS THE FORMAL -- CONCLUDES THE FORMAL PART OF OUR PROGRAM. THE PLATFORM PARTY WILL LEAVE FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE FACULTY, THEN THE GRADUATES AND, FINALLY, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE GRADUATES IN THE PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RED HAWK DECK. I ASK THAT OUR GUESTS REMAIN SEATED, AS THE GRADUATES AND FACULTY PROCEED OUT IN THE RECESSIONAL. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TO THE FELICIANO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS COMMENCEMENT 2022.
WILL THE FACULTY AND THE GRADUATES PLEASE NOW STAND FOR THE RECESSIONAL. ♪♪ CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY JENNIFER M. BONFILIO & COAST 2 COAST CAPTIONING www.c2ccaptioning.com ♪♪
2022-06-04 21:52
