COMMENCEMENT
PASSION TO EXCEL
"We aren't like students at other universities," said Daniel Davila '15 (pictured left), a
culinary nutrition major and student speaker for the Providence Campus morning
commencement ceremony at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. His classmates from the
College of Culinary Arts, the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences, and the
School of Engineering & Design nodded collectively in agreement.
Davila continued, "It's our passion that separates us from the competition. Our
immense passion has enabled us all to excel, grow and be appreciative of how far
we have come."
To that, honorary degree recipient and morning ceremony speaker Angela Leigh
Raynor, proprietor of The Boarding House and The Pearl in Nantucket, Mass.,
addressed the graduates and offered her perspective on the characteristics of
JWU's Wildcat Way: pride, courage, character and community. "These core values
are the key ingredients you will rely upon for success and to navigate your
failures," she emphasized.
That afternoon, and for the first time, the College of Management graduates
received their degrees together, reflecting the merger of the former College of
Business and The Hospitality College.
Student speaker Benjamin Kantor '15 challenged his classmates to "move forward
with persistence and the mindset to always challenge ourselves." He added that the
students had a life and legacy to be written, and urged all to make it a great one.
Edward Otis Handy III, president and CEO of The Washington Trust Company,
was the afternoon ceremony's speaker and honorary degree recipient. Handy
urged students to be bold and let innovation and the nurturing of ideas be at the
forefront of their future. In closing, he advised the graduates to "seek out sources
of laughter. Allow your stomach to hurt from laughter often."
As they filed out of the arena to meet friends and family, it seemed that many had
already taken his advice.
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