COMMENCEMENT
denver
THROUGH THE GATE TO BECOME ALUMNI
The Denver Campus 2015 commencement festivities kicked off with the
Academic Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 22, providing the opportunity
for families and guests to rejoice with their students and reflect upon their
accomplishments.
Following the applause from the Academic Awards Ceremony, another campus
tradition began. Eager hearts and open minds paraded through the Denver
Campus quad as sounds of a drumline led the Class of 2015 through the Robert
E. Taylor Gate. This ceremony is a campus tradition that students only encounter
twice during their journey at Johnson & Wales University — once as first-year
students and again as soon-to-be graduates. On the other side of the gate, the
class was welcomed by the JWU alumni community and members of the Class of
2005 who passed out JWU alumni pins.
The following day, excitement filled the air as the commencement processional
began in the Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center, where 343
undergraduate and 18 graduate students were awarded their degrees.
"Life experiences are like waves," remarked Katie Zezula '15, this year's student
commencement speaker. "Ride the wave. Even if it is short lived, make it the best
that you can."
Honorary degrees were also awarded to Lawrence DiPasquale, chairman and
CEO of Epicurean Group, and Richard Sandoval, founder, CEO and chef of Richard
Sandoval Restaurants.
Sandoval advised the graduates that much of his success is attributed to
remaining humble, grounded and remembering where he came from. "You
will get knocked down, but how you get up, and what you learned from the
experience and how you use this new knowledge — that will make all the
difference," he said. "This is what is going to make you great."
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