Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business – Precommencement 2022
[MUSIC] >> STAGE PARTY, YOU MAY BE SEATED. GOOD AFTERNOON, AND WELCOME TO THE 2022 PRE-COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY'S RICHARD A. CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO NOW WELCOME THE CLASS OF 2022! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.] [MUSIC] >> I NOW INVITE FATHER CARLOS ESPARZA OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS TO THE PODIUM FOR THE INVOCATION.
PLEASE RISE. PLATFORM PARTY, PLEASE RISE. >> LET US PRAY. GOOD AND GRACIOUS GOD, WE PRAY YOU TO SEND YOUR BLESSING UPON THIS ASSEMBLY AND, MOST ESPECIALLY, UPON OUR CLASS OF 2022 AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR GRADUATES.
THEY HAVE MADE OUR COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE SHARED THEIR TALENTS AND INGENUITY WITH US. THEIR RESILIENCE HAS MADE US BOLDER AND BETTER. WE WILL WATCH THEM DEPART WITH RELUCTANCE, YET ALSO WITH PRIDE, FOR WE KNOW HOW MUCH OUR CITY, OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD NEED THEM. THEY ARE TRULY MEN AND WOMEN FOR OTHERS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE SHARED THAT WHICH IS MOST PRECIOUS TO THEM -- THEIR CHILDREN -- AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH PROFOUND APPRECIATION THEIR SACRIFICES THAT HAVE MADE THIS JOY-FILLED DAY POSSIBLE.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY THAT HAVE NURTURED OUR GRADUATES. FOR FACULTY AND STAFF, FOR BENEFACTORS AND FRIENDS, WHO HAVE GIVEN OF THEMSELVES SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE BEAUTY OF YOUR CREATION. THEY HAVE MODELED GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION. THEY HAVE SHARED WISDOM AND KINDNESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND THOUGHTFULNESS. THEY HAVE ACCOMPANIED OUR GRADUATES ON THE GREAT JOURNEY THAT HAS LED TO THIS DAY.
INSPIRE ALL WHO HEAR THIS PRAYER, LORD GOD, TO ACT IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE, TO SHARE GENEROUSLY WHEN CONFRONTED BY NEED, TO BE THE HANDS OF YOUR WORK, AND WITNESSES OF YOUR COMPASSION. AND HELP US TO DISCERN THE COURSE THAT WILL BRING US LASTING JOY IN OUR WORLD OF CONSTANT CHANGE. IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE, WE WILL TAKE OUR LEAVE. OUR GRADUATES WILL SET FORTH ON A NEW PATH. MAY YOUR LIGHT GO BEFORE THEM, MAY YOUR LOVE EMBRACE THEM, AND MAY YOUR HOLY WISDOM SURROUND THEM SO THAT MAY ALWAYS PURSUE WHAT LEADS TO YOUR GREATER GLORY.
AND MAY YOU BLESS US AND ALL WHOM WE LOVE, THIS DAY AND ALWAYS, NOW, AND FOREVER. AMEN. >> PLEASE BE SEATED. THANK YOU, FATHER ESPARZA.
MY NAME IS BARNALI GUPTA, AND I HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF SERVING AS THE EDWARD JONES DEAN OF THE RICHARD A. CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. TO THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL'S CLASS OF 2022, CONGRATULATIONS! IT'S A SIMPLE SENTIMENT, BUT ONE SO RICHLY DESERVED BY EACH OF YOU. YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE, AND SO MUCH MORE, FROM THE NATIONALLY-RANKED CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY.
AND THAT, AS YOU ALL KNOW, IS NO EASY TASK. IT TAKES HARD WORK, GRIT, DETERMINATION AND SACRIFICE IN NORMAL TIMES. AND THESE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. FACED WITH THE GREATEST GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS IN MORE THAN A CENTURY, YOUR TIME AT SLU WAS NO DOUBT IMPACTED AS LIFE CHANGED FOR US ALL.
STUDY ABROAD PLANS WERE UPENDED, COURSES SHIFTED ONLINE, AND WE INTERACTED WITH EACH OTHER AS MUCH THROUGH COMPUTER SCREENS AS WE DID WITH MASKED FACES SIX FEET APART. WE LIVED WITH UNCERTAINTY. AND THAT WAS OUR ONLY CERTAINTY. IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO INTERRUPT YOUR EDUCATION, AND IT WAS DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU HAD PLANNED.
BUT YOU ADAPTED WITH GRACE AND PERSEVERANCE THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE. DESPITE WHAT MAY HAVE TIMES SEEMED LIKE INSURMOUNTABLE ADVERSITY, YOU NOT ONLY SURVIVED, YOU THRIVED. I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND, IN MY INTERACTIONS WITH SO MANY OF MORE DESERVING OF OUR SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS THAN MANY OF THE CLASSES THAT CAME BEFORE YOU. GIVE YOURSELVES A HUMAN BEING ROUND OF APPLAUSE! I AM SO PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! [APPLAUSE.]
AS WE EMERGE IN THE PANDEMIC, IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY. MY HOPE FOR EACH OF YOU IS THAT THE EVENTS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS DO NOT DEFINE YOUR COLLEGE CAREER. YOUR TIME AS A BUSINESS BILLIKEN AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY WAS SO MUCH MORE. YOU DEVELOPED NEW SKILLS THROUGH HANDS-ON CLASSES AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES; BECAME STRONGER LEADERS THROUGH COUNTLESS HOURS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY; STARTED AND ADVANCED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS; AND GAINED TANGIBLE EXPERIENCE THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AND CONSULTING PROJECTS WITH NON-PROFITS, STARTUPS AND FORTUNE 500S. THINK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT WHERE YOU WERE WHEN YOU CAME TO SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY.
IN YOUR TIME ON CAMPUS, YOU'VE GROWN INTO A BUSINESS LEADER FOR OTHERS. YOU'VE GAINED IN-DEMAND SKILLS AND LEARNED TO USE YOUR STRENGTHS. YOU'VE DEFINED WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU WANT TO BE AND GAINED THE CONFIDENCE TO GO FORTH AND SET THE WORLD ON FIRE. I AM SO PROUD OF THE STUDENTS, BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, AND PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE BECOME.
AND I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE. YOU'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY ON YOUR JOURNEY TO THIS MOMENT. WHILE THEY ARE PROUD OF ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, I ASK YOU TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF GRATITUDE IN THANKS FOR THE MANY WAYS THEY HAVE SHAPED YOU INTO WHO YOU ARE TODAY. GRATITUDE FOR THE FACULTY AND STAFF WHO MADE YOUR FIRST-RATE EDUCATION POSSIBLE; GRATITUDE FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE HELPED YOU BUILD YOUR NETWORK AND GAIN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
GRATITUDE FOR THE FELLOW CLASSMATES WITH WHOM YOU'VE FORGED FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME; AND, MOST OF ALL, GRATITUDE FOR YOUR DEDICATED FAMILY AND LOVED ONES WHO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS LONG BEFORE YOU CAME TO SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY AND HAVE CONTINUALLY INSPIRED YOU TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF. JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THANK THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED YOU REACH THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. [APPLAUSE.] AS YOU GRADUATE AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR LIVES, KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOW, AND WILL FOREVER BE, MEMBERS OF THE BILLIKEN COMMUNITY.
THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL STANDS READY TO SUPPORT YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER WITH LIFELONG LEARNING AND CAREER SUPPORT AS YOU GO FROM YOUR FIRST JOB TO THE C-SUITE AND BEYOND. FOR THOSE OF YOU CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION, BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR CONTINUED STUDIES. FOR THOSE STARTING A NEW JOB OR CONTINUING IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE, I HOPE YOU'LL QUICKLY PUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO USE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU STILL DISCERNING YOUR PATH, THE CHAIFETZ COMMUNITY IS HERE FOR YOU. WHEREVER YOU GO FROM HERE, I KNOW THAT EACH OF YOU IS PREPARED TO LEAD BUSINESS IN A NEW DIRECTION. ONE THAT LEVERAGES BUSINESS AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR GOOD, MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. YOU HAVE PROVED THAT OVER AND OVER IN YOUR TIME AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL, AND WHILE I'VE BEEN INSPIRED BY ALL THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, AS YOU GRADUATE FROM SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, I AM EVEN MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR EACH OF YOU BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS MERELY THE BEGINNING OF THE INCREDIBLE STORIES EACH OF YOU WILL WRITE. NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A CHAIFETZ SCHOOL PRE-COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, I'M SO PROUD TO INTRODUCE ONE OF YOUR PEERS TO THE PODIUM TO SHARE HER ADDRESS ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION. MARISSA OXENDINE IS A GRADUATING SENIOR WITH A DOUBLE MAJOR IN ANALYTICS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH MARISSA ALMOST AS SOON AS I ARRIVED AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL IN JANUARY 2021. SHE AND HER PEERS WERE ORGANIZING A PANEL DISCUSSION OF WOMEN LEADERS AT CHAIFETZ, AND I WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP AND FOCUS. MARISSA HAS AN INCREDIBLE RÉSUMÉ. BUT SHE IS SO MUCH MORE. I NOW INVITE MARISSA TO THE PODIUM TO SHARE HER BUSINESS BILLIKEN STORY. [APPLAUSE.]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, RESPECTED FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND MY FELLOW GRADUATES. THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF PREPARING FOR THE FINAL MOMENTS OF MY COLLEGE CAREER, I FOUND SOLACE IN THE PRAYER OF OSCAR ROMERO, OR AS I HAVE COME TO CALL IT IN MY HEAD, THE "PRAYER FOR A FUTURE NOT OUR OWN." THE PRAYER OPENS WITH, "IT HELPS, NOW AND THEN, TO STEP BACK AND TAKE A LONG VIEW. THE KINGDOM IS NOT ONLY BEYOND OUR EFFORTS, IT IS EVEN BEYOND OUR VISION. NOTHING WE DO IS COMPLETE, WHICH IS A WAY OF SAYING THAT THE KINGDOM ALWAYS LIES BEYOND US." SO, IN OUR TIME TOGETHER TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE LONG VIEW.
THE LONG VIEW IS NOT ONLY ABOUT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE; IT IS ALSO REFLECTING ON HOW MUCH YOU HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED AND VISUALIZING HOW YOU WILL CARRY THOSE LESSONS INTO YOUR FUTURE. - WHAT STRIKES ME MOST WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY TIME HERE AT CHAIFETZ IS THE PROFOUND IMPACT THAT INVESTING IN MY COMMUNITY HAS ON MY OWN PERSONAL SUCCESS. NO ONE ACCOMPLISHES ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE ALONE, AND THAT COULDN'T BE TRUER FOR MYSELF.
AT THE END OF MY FRESHMAN YEAR, I WAS SITTING IN THE ATRIUM WITH MY ROOMMATE, MADDY, AND WE REFLECTED ON OUR FIRST YEAR AT CHAIFETZ AND SLU, AND WHAT COMMUNITY MEANS TO US. WE WERE BOTH PART OF NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS BUT WE BOTH FELT WE WERE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING MORE. THIS IS WHEN SHE HAD THE IDEA TO START THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATION. AND I TOLD HER,
ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT! [CHUCKLING] THE IDEA OF PUTTING MYSELF OUT THERE FOR JUDGMENT WAS WAY TOO INTIMIDATING FOR ME. BUT THEN SHE CONVINCED ME TO AT LEAST CREATE A NAME, ASPIRE ST. LOUIS, AND AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT. AND WE SAT THERE THAT
AFTERNOON, IN THE ATRIUM, AND IN REAL-TIME, AS OUR PEERS SEND US MESSAGES OF ENTHUSIASM. "I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS!" "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS CLUB DOESN'T EXIST ALREADY." "WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF ASPIRE!" IT WAS THIS RESOUNDING SUPPORT THAT GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE AND THE FIRE TO POUR MYSELF INTO SERVING THE WOMEN OF THIS SCHOOL.
FROM THIS POINT ON, OUR TEAM ONLY CONTINUED TO GROW AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE FELT MOVED BY THE MISSION OF ASPIRE, SO MUCH SO THAT THEY ALSO DEDICATED THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS TO BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY. TODAY, WE RECEIVE MESSAGES LIKE, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE CLUB ON CAMPUS." AND "ASPIRE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I BELONG IN THE BUSINESS SCHOOL." I NEVER COULD HAVE PREDICTED THE IMPACT ONE SMALL CONVERSATION WOULD HAVE ON MY OWN PURPOSE, AS WELL AS LEAVING A LEGACY FOR OTHER WOMEN AND MINORITIES ENTERING CHAIFETZ.
SO FELLOW GRADUATES, AS I REFLECT ON MY OWN TIME HERE AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, I INVITE YOU TO DO THE SAME. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE? WHAT CONVERSATIONS HAVE SHAPED YOU MOST WHILE BEING HERE AT SLU? NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE. TO MY PARENTS AND FAMILY: WITHOUT WHOM NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE ...
[APPLAUSE.] I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE NUMEROUS MENTORS I HAVE GAINED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. FROM MY FIRST YEAR AT CHAIFETZ, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE STRONGEST LEADERS AND FRIENDS I HAVE EVER COME IT KNOW.
-- COME TO KNOW. LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MY FELLOW GRADUATES, THOSE WHO HAVE GROWN ALONGSIDE ME INTO STRONG, CAPABLE, AND PURPOSE-FILLED BUSINESSPEOPLE. IT IS THIS PURPOSE-FILLED, MISSION-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES EARNING A BUSINESS DEGREE FROM THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SO UNIQUE. IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE WERE ALL CALLED TO SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY BECAUSE THE MISSION OF BEING IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY FOR THE GREATER GOOD APPEALED TO US. THIS SCHOOL HAS ALLOWED US TO SEARCH FOR OUR OWN PURPOSE AND VALUES, RATHER THAN JUST A GOOD POST-GRADUATE CAREER.
WHICH IS IMPORTANT. IT IS HERE THAT I HAVE LEARNED THAT SUCCESS IS NOT DETERMINED BY THE BOTTOM LINE OR BY THE STATUS OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SUCCESS IS MORE THAN PROFITS, TASKS, OR ACHIEVEMENTS. - SUCCESS, AS I HAVE COME TO LEARN IT HERE AT CHAIFETZ, IS FINDING AREA SPARK, YOUR FIRE, YOUR PASSION, AND USING IT FOR THE COMMON GOOD. BEFORE I CONCLUDE TODAY, I HOPE TO LEAVE YOU WITH ONE LAST CALL TO ACTION.
MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WERE ALL SO LUCKY AS TO FIND YOUR PASSION HERE AT SLU, BUT REMEMBER THAT PASSION IS NOT STATIC. PURPOSE IS EVER-CHANGING. I CHALLENGE ALL OF US HERE GRADUATING TODAY, TO REMEMBER THAT THOUGH OUR EFFORTS HERE HAVE BEEN GREAT, THE KINGDOM WILL ALWAYS LIE BEYOND US. AS BUSINESSPEOPLE, OUR DECISIONS WILL IMPACT THE LIVELIHOOD OF HUMANITY, THE PLANET THAT WE LIVE ON, THE TECHNOLOGY THAT SHAPES OUR FUTURE. THE LIST COULD REALLY GO ON FOREVER. WE
ARE WHERE THE SLU MISSION MEETS THE MARKET. AS CHAIFETZ ALUMNI, WE MUST REMEMBER OUR CALLING TO A HIGHER PURPOSE, NO MATTER WHERE OUR CAREER TAKES US. THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING THIS TIME WITH ME TODAY, AND TO MY FELLOW GRADUATES, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE MR. NEIL JANSEN,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING AND LAST YEAR'S RECIPIENT OF THE BETA GAMMA SIGMA OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD, TO THE PODIUM TO ANNOUNCE STUDENT AWARDS AND HONORS. >> THANK YOU, MARISSA. GOOD AFTERNOON, GRADUATES AND GUESTS.
IT IS TRULY A PLEASURE TO BEGIN OUR RECOGNITION CEREMONY BY CALLING TO YOUR ATTENTION THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SPECIAL HONORS AS A RESULT OF THEIR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND COMMITMENT TO SERVICE IN THE JESUIT TRADITION. YOUR PROGRAM LISTS THE NAMES OF THESE STUDENTS. I WILL FIRST ANNOUNCE THE NAMES OF AWARD RECIPIENTS. WOULD EACH GRADUATE STAND AS I SAY THEIR NAME, AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL THE ENTIRE GROUP IS ANNOUNCED.
THEN WE CAN RECOGNIZE ALL OF THESE STUDENTS WITH OUR APPLAUSE. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN ACCOUNTING, JOHN ALTHOFF. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN ANALYTIC, AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS, JOSEPH BOUCHE. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN ECONOMICS,JACOB DOWELL. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SAMUEL POLK. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN FINANCE, JACOB DOWELL. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, WILSON LIN.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, JULIA GLADYSZ. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN MARKETING, SAMANTHA SCHMIDT. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN SPORTS BUSINESS, GRACE SCHOTT. OUTSTANDING SENIOR INTERN. JULIA GLADYSZ.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN SERVICE LEADERSHIP, GRACE ARNOLD. OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETES, BRIANNA HODGKINS. SAMUEL POLK. THE FREDERICK C. YEAGER SERVICE AWARD,BLASE DAUGHERTY.
THE DELTA SIGMA PI SCHOLARSHIP KEY,ANNA KRISTEN TAULBEE. THE NEIL SEITZ LEADERSHIP AWARD, LINDSEY TEAGUE. OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN EXECUTIVE MASTER OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, JENNIFER MCGEE. OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN MASTER OF ACCOUNTING, CARA RASMUSSEN.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN PROFESSIONAL MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ERIC MUELLER. OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED FINANCIAL ECONOMICS, CONNOR MAYER. OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MASTER OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, ADAM ARVESON. CONGRATULATIONS, AWARD RECIPIENTS.
[APPLAUSE.] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.] I WILL NOW ANNOUNCE THE HONOR SOCIETIES SO THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN INDUCTED. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR PROGRAM FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING OF THE MEMBERS OF EACH ORGANIZATION. I WILL NOT READ EACH INDIVIDUAL'S NAME, BUT I WILL ASK ALL MEMBERS TO STAND FOR EACH ORGANIZATION.
ALPHA SIGMA NU, THE HONOR SOCIETY OF JESUIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN SCHOLARSHIP, LOYALTY, AND SERVICE IN THE JESUIT TRADITION. IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, WOULD THE ALPHA SIGMA NU MEMBERS PLEASE RISE. [APPLAUSE.] BETA GAMMA SIGMA IS THE ACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETY FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS AND IS THE HIGHEST HONOR THAT A STUDENT AT A SCHOOL ACCREDITED BY THE AACSB CAN ATTAIN.
I ASK THE BETA GAMMA SIGMA MEMBERS TO PLEASE RISE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. [APPLAUSE.] A NUMBER OF HONOR SOCIETIES ARE DEDICATED TO A SPECIFIC BUSINESS DISCIPLINE. WHEN YOUR ORGANIZATION IS ANNOUNCED, PLEASE RISE AND BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. BETA ALPHA PSI IS THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETY FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, FINANCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, AND ANALYTICS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS. MEMBERS, PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
[APPLAUSE.] OMICRON DELTA EPSILON EMPHASIZES SCHOLASTIC ACHEIVEMENT IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMICS. PLEASE RISE AND BE RECOGNIZED. [APPLAUSE.] IN ADDITION TO THE HONORS GROUPS JUST RECOGNIZED, THERE ARE OTHER UNIVERSITY-WIDE HONORS GROUPS SUCH AS GOLDEN KEY, NATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS, AND OMICRON DELTA KAPPA, TO WHICH STUDENTS MAY BELONG.
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF ANY HONORS GROUP NOT PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. [APPLAUSE.] EACH SPRING, THE UNIVERSITY SPONSORS A FORUM FOR SENIORS TO SHOWCASE PROJECTS OR PAPERS. I ASK ALL THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE SENIOR LEGACY SYMPOSIUM TO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
[APPLAUSE.] CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU ON THESE SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS OF YOUR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. I NOW INVITE DEAN GUPTA BACK TO THE PODIUM. >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES, ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS. NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR'S TEACHING AWARDS.
BETA GAMMA SIGMA OUTSTANDING TEACHER, DR. TRICIA BAGSBY. [APPLAUSE.] GRADUATE BUSINESS FACULTY OF THE YEAR, MR. ABHI GUPTA. [APPLAUSE.] EXECUTIVE MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OUTSTANDING TEACHER, MR. EUGENE
CUNNINGHAM. [APPLAUSE.] FR. THOMAS M. KNAPP S.J.
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY MEMBER AWARD, DR. JINTONG TANG. [APPLAUSE.] CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD-WINNING FACULTY! [APPLAUSE.] THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I NOW INVITE MS. DEBBIE PIKE, ASSOCIATE DEAN AND PROFESSOR IN ACCOUNTING, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE GRADUATES.
WE WILL NOW BEGIN THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2022 RICHARD A. CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DEGREE CANDIDATES. I NOW INVITE DR. YAN SUN, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE FIRST GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING.
[GRADUATES' NAMES READ]. >> ALL RIGHT. MY BRAIN READ ALLISON AND I SAID ALYSSA.
[GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. PALASH BERA, INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE STUDIES AND CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT THREE GROUPS OF GRADUATES. >> I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ANALYTICS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS, BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT. THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS EARNED A MAJOR IN ANALYTICS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ].
>> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS EARNED A MAJOR IN BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATE! THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS EARNED A MAJOR IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT.
[GRADUATES' NAMES READ]. >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. HAILONG QIAN, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT OUR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS. [APPLAUSE.]
[GRADUATES' NAMES READ]. >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES. [APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT THREE GROUPS OF GRADUATES.
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OR SPORTS BUSINESS. [APPLAUSE.] THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS EARNED A MAJOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ]. >> CONGRATULATIONS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP MAJORS! OUR NEXT GROUP OF STUDENTS EARNED A MAJOR IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ].
>> CONGRATULATIONS, LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GRADUATES. OUR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES EARNED A MAJOR IN SPORTS BUSINESS. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
I NOW INVITE DR. NARESH BANSAL, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT OUR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FINANCE.
. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ]. >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. HADI ALHORR, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, TO PRESENT OR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> THANK YOU, DEBBIE. IT IS MY
HONOR TO CONGRATULATE THE GRADUATES .THE GRADUATES OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ].
>> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. MARK ARNOLD, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING, TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES.
>> I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MARKETING. . [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF OUR BACHELOR DEGREE CANDIDATES.
WE WILL NOW BEGIN THE PRESENTATION OF OUR MASTER DEGREE CANDIDATES. I NOW INVITE DR. YAN SUN BACK TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES EARNING A MASTER OF ACCOUNTING.
INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP ARE STUDENTS IN OUR INTEGRATED ACCOUNTING PROGRAM WHO ARE EARNING BOTH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING AND A MASTER OF ACCOUNTING CONCURRENTLY. . [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] I ASK DR. PALASH BERA BACK TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES EARNING A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. . [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.]
I ASK DR. PALASH BERA TO PLEASE RETURN TO THE PODIUM FOR OUR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES EARNING A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ].
>> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] I NOW INVITE DR. HAILONG QIAN BACK TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT OUR NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> THANK YOU, DEBBIE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES EARNING A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED FINANCIAL ECONOMICS. [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.]
I NOW INVITE DR. HADI ALHORR BACK TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THE NEXT GROUP OF GRADUATES. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES EARNING AN EXECUTIVE MASTER OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. . [GRADUATES' NAMES READ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [APPLAUSE.] NOW THAT ALL DEGREE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU, I NOW INVITE DEAN GUPTA BACK TO THE PODIUM. >> THANK YOU, ASSOCIATE DEAN PIKE. GRADUATES, WE CANNOT SAY
IT OFTEN ENOUGH TODAY. CONGRATULATIONS! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.] OUR FINAL SPEAKER THIS AFTERNOON REPRESENTS THE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY OF CHAIFETZ SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT YOU NOW JOIN AS GRADUATES OF THIS STOREIED INSTITUTION. 40 YEARS AGO, MIKE MEDART EARNED HIS MBA FROM SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY'S THEN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION.
SINCE 1982, HE'S GROWN HIS FAMILY BUSINESS, MEDART INC., INTO A THRIVING WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 225 MANUFACTURERS THROUGH MEDART ENGINE AND MEDART MARINE WITH FACILITIES IN SEVEN STATES. PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL THAN HIS SUCCESS IN BUSINESS, MIKE'S PASSION FOR SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY AND SUPPORT OF THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL HAS CREATED INNUMERABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASPIRING YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS.
WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE IMMEASURABLE IMPACT HE HAS HAD ON BUSINESS EDUCATION AT SLU. THROUGH HIS SERVICE ON THE CAMPAIGN FOR EXCELLENCE AT SLU AND HIS SUPPORT OF THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL WITH CHAIR PROFESSOR IN FAMILY BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP GRANTS FOR OUR FACULTY, MIKE HAS DEMONSTARTED HIS RESPECT FOR AND BELIEF IN THE EXCELLENCE THAT WE STRIVE FOR AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND SLU. MIKE WAS HONORED AS THIS YEAR'S RECIPIENT OF THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL'S FATHER JOSEPH DAVIS, S.J. LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD. IT IS MY HONOR TO INVITE MY FRIEND, MIKE MEDART, TO THE PODIUM. [APPLAUSE.]
>> CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME OKAY? OKAY. I'M THE LAST PERSON THAT'S IN YOUR WAY OF -- YOU'RE DONE HERE. SO I WILL BE VERY BRIEF. I PROMISE YOU I WILL DO THAT. SO ANYWAY.
I SAT IN YOUR SEATS 40 YEARS AGO, ALMOST TO THE DAY. I DID HAVE A MALFUNCTION IN MY WAR DOWN SYNDROME. -- WAR DROBE. MY HAT DIDN'T FIT. BUT THE ROBE FIT, AND THAT WAS THE SAME THING AT THAT TIME AS WELL.
WHERE I SAT WHERE YOU WERE, I WAS INCREDIBLY IMPATIENT. I'M STILL A LITTLE IMPATIENT TODAY. YOU CAN ASK MY WIFE OF MANY, MANY DECADES. I AM IMPATIENT SOMETIMES. AND I THOUGHT I KNEW JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. AND I WANT TO SAY,
TO THE PARENTS, I HAVE SAT WHERE YOU'RE SEATED TODAY OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES WITH MY THREE ADULT CHILDREN, AND I'M HONORED THAT THEY CHOSE BUSINESS AS A MAJOR. MY ADVICE IS VERY SIMPLE, FOUR DIFFERENT PARTS. I WILL FOCUS ON JUST ONE OF THOSE. THE FIRST ONE IS BE CURIOUS. IT
WILL SERVE YOU WELL IN YOUR LIFE. JUST SAY YES TO OPPORTUNITY. MANY PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS SAY YES. REACH BACK. THAT'S THE PART I'LL FOCUS ON IN MOST OF MY TALK, AND VERY SIMPLY, PRAY.
AND YOU WENT TO A WONDERFUL UNIVERSITY THAT'S PRETTY DARN GOOD AT THAT. AT THE END I HAVE ONE SIMPLE ASK OF EACH OF YOU, AND I WOULD SAY THAT SIMPLE ASK WILL CREATE A DIVIDEND IN THIS INVESTMENT. SO THE PART ABOUT BEING CURIOUS.
OBVIOUSLY, IT HELPS WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AS YOU LOOK OUT ON YOUR LIFE AND WONDERING, AND SAYING, "COULD WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT? BETTER?" THAT'S JUST A PIECE OF IT, BUT IT'S ALWAYS PUSHING TO WANT TO LEARN MORE. YOU'VE JUST FINISHED DOING THAT. THIS ISN'T THE END. IN MANY WAYS, IT'S
JUST THE BEGINNING. AND BUSINESS CHANGES REALLY FAST. I DON'T HAVE TO TELL ALL OF YOU THAT, YOU'VE ALREADY EXPERIENCED A PIECE OF THAT. AND IT WILL
CHANGE. SO THEREFORE, YOU HAVE TO BE CURIOUS, SO YOU CAN STAY UP WITH MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. SAYING YES TO OPPORTUNITIES, I WILL SUM IT UP BY THE GREAT LATE UCLA COACH WOODEN, "YOU WILL MISS 100% OF EVERY SHOT YOU NEVER TAKE." THINK ABOUT THAT.
AND THE SIMPLE PART OF THE PRAYER PIECE, I WOULD JUST SAY IN READING BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, YOU WILL FIND IT CONTAINS A FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF BUSINESS CASE STUDIES. LET ME FOCUS ON REACHING BACK. TWO LATE SLU PROFESSORS THAT I HAD MULTIPLE CLASSES WITH IN MY DAY HERE, ONE WAS IN FINANCE, DR. YEAGER AND THE OTHER WAS DR. TYREE, IN STRATEGY WITH A LOT OF CASE STUDIES. MANY YEARS
AFTER GRADUATING, I REACHED BACK LOTS OF TIMES TO DR. TYREE. HE HAD A TREMENDOUS MIND FOR JUST STRATEGY AND HOW TO THINK THROUGH THINGS. IMMENSELY HELPFUL TO ME. THROUGH THOSE CONVERSATIONS, I BECAME WARE OF A DR. BROCKHAUS
THAT WAS ON THE MANAGEMENT SIDE. A FEW YEARS AFTER THAT, DR. BROCKHAUS REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THE FAMILY FIRM FORUM, THAT HE HAD RECENTLY ESTABLISHED TO -- IN THE MANAGE DEPARTMENT, AND WE ENJOYED OVER A DOES YEARS TOGETHER IN THE STUDY OF BUSINESS, DISCUSSING, STUDYING, I WON'T SAY ARGUING, BUT CAME RIGHT UP TO THE LINE A FEW TIMES WITH THAT. BUT VERY -- VERY INSIGHTFUL. WHEN DR. BROCKHAUS RETIRED,
UNFORTUNATELY THE PROGRAM RETIRED WITH HIM. BEING THE CURIOUS PERSON I WAS, I SOUGHT OUT ANOTHER PRIVATE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, HINT, THEY ARE JOINING THE A10 CONFERENCE NEXT YEAR. THERE I MET THE "GODFATHER OF THE STUDY OF PRIVATE FAMILY BUSINESS," AND HIS NAME WAS DOCTOR -- DR. JOHN WARD. AFTER NINE YEARS IN THAT PROGRAM AND WAY TOO MANY TRIPS TO CHICAGO, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTARTING A PRIVATE FAMILY BUSINESS PROGRAM HERE AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY. AND A LOT OF PRAYER HELPED ME MAKE THAT DECISION.
TODAY WITH AN ENDOWED CHAIR IN FAMILY BUSINESS, DR. BAGSBY IS REPLANTING A GREAT PROGRAM HERE WITH ME, AS WELL AS WITH THE HELP OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I'VE ALSO, AS GRACIOUSLY HARD FROM -- FROM OUR DEAN, THAT BEEN INVOLVED WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER PROJECTS HERE, AND I WILL SAY TO YOU THAT I SAW THE SMILES ON YOUR FACES. THOSE SMILES ARE A REFLECTION OF THE MANY THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON HERE. AND I TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN THAT. THIS IS A RISING UNIVERSITY, AND IT'S REALLY -- TO ME, IT'S VERY, VERY EXCITING.
FOR MY WHY FOR SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO A PLACE THAT'S HELPED ME TO BE CURIOUS, AND ENABLED ME TO BETTER SEE OPPORTUNITIES. REMEMBER, GREAT COMPANIES ARE ALWAYS LOOKED FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN BOTH SEE AND SAY YES TO OPPORTUNITIES. SO MY ASK OF EACH OF THE GRADUATES HERE IS ONE PIECE, OF REACHING BACK. ALL OF YOU KNOW
PROFESSORS -- I ENJOYED WATCHING MANY OF YOUR EXPRESSIONS AS YOU WALKED UP ON THE STAGE, AND JUST YOUR FACE LIT UP, YOU SAID HI, ALL THE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS TO VARIOUS PROFESSORS. YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A NUMBER OF THESE PROFESSORS. AND THEY WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
IF THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT, I'M TELLING YOU THAT RIGHT NOW. THEY FEEL YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL. -- THEY WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL. ALSO YOUR PARENTS WOULD BE THRILLED TO HEAR THAT SAID. SO THE UNEXPECTED DIVIDEND I'M GOING TO -- TO REACH OUT TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT IS BY YOU REACHING BACK AFTER YOU GRADUATE IN THE MEASUREMENT OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS, ONE OF THOSE MEASUREMENT STICKS IS POETS AND QUANTS. THERE'S A PIECE IN THERE THAT SCHOOLS MEASURE, AS FAR AS THEIR ALUMNI, AND YOUNG ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FACULTY.
IF EACH OF YOU REEK BACK -- I WAS NOT ASKED TO RUN THIS AD. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL ENHANCE THE VALUE OF YOUR DEGREE. SMALL POINT WITH THAT. I GREATLY BENEFITED BY REACHING BACK. I ALWAYS SAY, WHY NOT
YOU? ONE SIDE PIECE TO REACHING BACK -- REACH BESIDES YOU. A LATE FRIEND OF MINE, PASSED A FEW YEARS AGO, HE WAS QUITE A BIT OLDER THAN I WAS WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE TOGETHER. I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY YEARS OF TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE BUSINESS AND DISTRIBUTION WOULD MAKE SUCH AN IMPACT ON HIM. IN THE LATTER
PART OF HIS CAREER, HE WENT ON WITH -- LET ME NAME THE COMPANY -- DELOITTE ON THE CONSULTING SIDE, AND HELPED PIONEER DISTRIBUTION SOFTWARE WITH SAP. NO ONE HAD EVER DONE THAT BEFORE. SO A SLU GRAD CHANGED THE DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY FOREVER. AND THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. THE FIRST COMPANY THAT THAT HAPPENED IN WAS RIGHT HERE IN ST. LOUIS. JUST A LITTLE COMPANY CALLED GRAYBAR.
BY THE WAY, IT'S A HUGE ELECTRICAL COMPANY, BY THE WAY. SO, IN CLOSING, ALWAYS BE CURIOUS. JUST SAY YES TO OPPORTUNITIES.
REACH BACK. REMEMBER, THEY WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL. AND VERY SIMPLY, PRAY. YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF ANSWERS WITH THAT. SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO EACH OF THE STUDENTS. GREAT JOY TO THE
POINTS. BOY YOU'VE GOT TO BE EXCITED AT THAT POINT. AND I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU TO THE FACULTY. YOU'VE CERTAINLY HAD MY TRYING TO DO, AND OBVIOUSLY WITH -- HAD MY GRATITUDE, AND OBVIOUSLY WITH YOUR NEW FOUND CLIENTS, THEY HAVE YOUR GRATITUDE AS WELL. DEAN DUE WANT -- DEAN GUPTA, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE CLASS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
>> AS WE CLOSE TODAY, AND I REFLECT ON THE MANY WAYS THAT I'VE BEEN INSPIRED BY YOU, THE INCREDIBLE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL THIS YEAR, I AM REMINDED OF THE POIGNANT WORDS OF ANOTHER INSPIRING YOUNG PERSON, OUR FIRST NATIONAL YOUTH POET LAUREATE, AMANDA GORMAN. IN "THE HILL WE CLIMB," MS. GORMAN WROTE: "WHILE WE HAVE OUR EYES ON THE FUTURE, HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON US." AS YOU DEPART CAMPUS AND SET OUT FOR WHATEVER IS NEXT, I BEAM WITH EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION FOR THE INCREDIBLE THINGS I KNOW EACH OF YOU WILL DO. FOR AS EACH OF YOUR EYES ARE ON THE FUTURE, HISTORY AS ITS EYES ON YOU.
WHAT WILL YOU ACCOMPLISH? HOW WILL YOU BE A BUSINESS LEADER FOR AND WITH OTHERS? HOW WILL YOU MAKE THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH YOU LIVE MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE FOR ALL? -- FOR EVERYONE? HOW WILL YOU LIVE MISSION MEETS THE MARKET AS A BUSINESS BILLIKEN? YOUR TIME AT THE CHAIFETZ SCHOOL AND SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY HAS UNIQUELY POSITIONED YOU TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER, A CHANGE AGENT, A FORCE FOR GOOD IN BUSINESS AND BEYOND. WITH YOUR EYES TOWARDS THE FUTURE, OUR EYES ARE ON EACH OF YOU AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH. CONGRATULATIONS! GOOD LUCK! STAY IN TOUCH AND MAY THE IGNATIAN SPIRIT OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY FOREVER BE IN YOUR HEARTS! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
>> HOUSEKEEPING -- CAN YOU HEAR ME? AFTER THE STAGE PARTY HAS LEFT THE ARENA, PLEASE FOLLOW THE MARSHALS AND PROCEED DOWN THE CENTER AISLE, EXITING TO THE REAR. AS THERE IS ANOTHER CEREMONY FOLLOWING THIS ONE, PLEASE JOIN YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OUTSIDE THE ARENA. THANK YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW'S UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. [MUSIC] .
2022-05-22 18:32
