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Under the Arch December 10, 2007 Volume IX, Number 16
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DR. GARIBALDI ADVISES DECEMBER GRADS THAT HAPPINESS KEY TO SUCCESS Success does not always equate to happiness. Happiness, rather, is the key to success. That was the message Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., delivered to 316 graduates and their families at Sunday’s Winter Commencement Ceremony, held in the Hammermill Center. Dr. Garibaldi encouraged the graduates to keep those two concepts – success and happiness – in the proper perspective. “Over the next week… you are very likely to ask yourself this question: “How will I use my new degree?” he said. “Even though some of you may already have a good response, you will probably remind yourself that you pursued an undergraduate or graduate degree to advance yourself professionally and to increase your earnings. “Without a doubt, those are definitely commendable goals,” Garibaldi continued. “But I suspect all of you continued your education because you wanted to be happy during your lifetime as well as successful.” The late Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a physician, a humanitarian, theologian, concert organist, and missionary who in 1952 won the Nobel Peace, helped unlock the key to true happiness, Garibaldi said. “Success is not the key to happiness,” he said, quoting Schweitzer. “Happiness is the key to success. If you know what you are doing, you will be successful.” Garibaldi commended the graduates – 9 associate’s degree recipients, 98 bachelor’s, 206 master’s, and 3 doctoral degrees – for the many ways, including their service to others, in which they have embraced Schweitzer’s credo. He recalled how, just one week prior to Commencement, many Gannon University students spent a Sunday volunteering at the Social Work Club’s 30th annual Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair for the area’s less fortunate. “What a rewarding experience for the students, faculty, and staff who participated,” he said. “They did it out of love and not to get recognition. That is true happiness and the success that Dr. Schweitzer was alluding to.” The ceremony’s keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient, Robert Ruyak, also has made an impact in the way Schweitzer envisioned. Ruyak, a member of Gannon’s class of 1971, is the managing partner and CEO at Howrey, LLP, an international law firm specializing in trademark and patent litigation. Ruyak was appointed the firm’s managing partner and CEO in 2000 and also serves as chairman of its executive committee. Ruyak, now a resident of Silver Spring, Md., had a simple and yet profound message for the graduates: Those who risk, win. Periodically, in order to achieve greatness, one must be adventuresome, Ruyak suggested. “Risk is the pursuit of the great,” he said. “Many aspire, but only a few succeed. Go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is. “There is a difference between taking a risk and taking a gamble,” he added. “Those who risk, win.” Ruyak also said that though some of the students might perceive their Commencement as an ending, they should see it as more of a beginning. “Your learning is not over, it is just beginning. Remember that no one is impressed with the average or the mediocre.” He said they will be well served by keeping three concepts in mind: Excellence, commitment, and collaboration. In addition to Dr. Garibaldi and Mr. Ruyak, other members of the dais party included Keith Taylor, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs; Rev. George Strohmeyer, university chaplain; Michael O’Neill, dean of Graduate Studies; Timothy Downs, Ph.D., dean of the College of Humanities, Business, and Education; Carolynn Masters, Ph.D., dean of the College of Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences; Ward McCracken, dean of Student Development; James Scozzie, president of the university’s Alumni Association; Rev. Nicholas Rouch, vice president for Mission and Ministry; Brian Kurtz, president of Student Government Association; Mary Carol Gensheimer, president of Faculty Senate; and Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, Bishop of Erie. Taylor performed the Call to Commencement. Rev. Shawn Clerkin, director of the Theatre program, performed the Opening Song. Rev. Strohmeyer gave the Invocation, Dr. Garibaldi the Welcome. Bishop Trautman performed the Benediction. Serving as faculty marshals were Dr. Rick Prokop, assistant professor, marketing program, and Dr. Lisa Quinn, assistant professor, nursing department.
RECENT NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS News of interest on and around campus...
CAMPUS EVENTS
THE PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE Monday, December 10 – Liberal Studies Forum. Wednesday-Thursday, December 12-13 – Seton Hall Board of Regents meetings. Friday, December 14 – President’s Staff and Provost’s Council holiday reception.
PRAYER CONCERNS Please remember all in your prayers as regretfully we announce the death of:
CURRENT BIRTHDAYS Lauren Foltz. Glenn Smartschan. Vincent Fetzner. Paula Barrett. Heather Turner. Gary Garnic. Karen Weston. Barry Brinkman. Ronald Lombard. Donna Green. Cheryl Rink. Brad Ferko. Richard Zack. Jon Glass. Julie Kimball. Carole Galletta. Chris Viscuso. Mary Crane. Julie Hartmann. Scott Stevens. Lisa Wenner. Stan Zagorski. Britt Daehnke. Kevin Hart. Mary Sibley. Laura Staszewski. Tony Fulgenzio. Galina Mayster. Michael O’Neill. Beth Shick. Jennifer Mailey. Susan Kerner. Christine Thompson.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
December Commencement: Robert Ruyak (second from left), a member of Gannon’s class of 1971, gave the keynote address and received an honorary degree at Commencement yesterday. During his remarks, Ruyak encouraged the graduates to be courageous, telling them that, “those who risk, win.” Ruyak is pictured with (left to right), Erie Bishop Most Rev. Donald Trautman, Keith Taylor, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Garibaldi, president of Gannon. |
