Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> Seated in the auditorium today are family and friends
who have in many different ways supported these candidates
to reach the goal represented by this ceremony.
On the platform are the college faculty and staff
who have motivated, encouraged, and inspire these students
as they completed their course work
and their college experience,
and before us are the candidates.
The candidates for graduation who have become good friends,
mentors, and colleagues, developing relationships
that will serve each of you well as you move
in to the future together.
We joined and as members of an extended support network
to celebrate our involvement with these candidates
and to witness their accomplishment,
that celebration now begins.
Presiding over the summer commencements ceremony is the
President of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour.
[ Applause ]
>> Good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
>> Good afternoon.
>> Thank you.
It's good to be having you here today.
And I'd like to say welcome
to our beautiful Community Art Center
and to this commencement ceremony honoring the class
of 2012.
Today, the graduates become part of a proud Penn College legacy.
For nearly 100 years,
this institution has provided a foundation for success to men
and women who wish to thrive in an ever changing world.
Many challenges have faced our graduates.
Over the years, there have been times of war, times of peace,
times of economic growth often inspired
by emerging technologies and times of economic recession.
At all times, it is our institution's mission,
has been to prepare its graduates
to enter the workforce capably and confidently
and to earn advancement into positions
that will influence and shape the future.
As we celebrate your commencement today.
We also look forward to the contributions
that you will make in the days to come.
This is truly a ceremony that honors the past, the present,
and the future, most importantly, your future.
We appreciate the efforts that you have put forth in order
to reach this milestone.
And I ask each of you to find time today
to gratefully acknowledge the support you have received
from your family and your friends, your faculty
and your staff mentors.
This day is important, it's important to all of us
because you are important to all of us.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this very special day that you
and your love ones will remember forever.
[ Applause ]
>> I'd now like to introduce is Mr. Elliott Strickland,
Chief Student Affairs Officer.
[ Applause ]
>> President Gilmour, Chairman Secor, Provost Starkey,
distinguished faculty and staff, family friends
and most importantly the August 2012 graduating class.
It is my pleasure this morning
to introduce your student commencement speaker.
Brandy Krause represents the best of what our society hopes
for in higher education, a commitment to academic pursuit,
leadership and involvement, in or out of class activities,
and a support for her fellow students.
Brandy came to Penn College, already having prepared herself
for this role, specifically through her involvement
in the National Honor Society
and Future Business Leaders of America.
At Penn College, Brandy made an immediate impact.
During her time here, she was an integral member
of both the dance team and the women soccer team,
serving as the team captain and she was a representative
of the College Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Now a side note about Brandy's athletic experience.
If you ever meet Brandy, you would never know
that this poised young woman was the muscle of our team.
She anchored our defense all while earning conference
and national all academic American awards.
Brandy was chosen as a community assistant to serve as a resource
to off campus students, and was an active member
of the medical imaging club,
serving as the president this last year.
But all of this activity outside of the classroom pales
in comparison to what she accomplished
in her academic pursuits.
Brandy was selected for membership in both
by Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Chi Honor Societies.
She earned Dean's List status every semester while
at Penn College.
And today she will graduate summa *** laude with a 3.98 GPA
with an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography.
During this time, Brandy completed clinical internships
at Evangelical Community Hospital,
Geisinger Medical Center,
and Muncy Valley Hospital while also holding
down part-time jobs at local restaurants.
Last night, Brandy was awarded the President's Award
in recognition of her outstanding academic
and leadership accomplishments.
Please welcome your 2012 Student Commencement speaker Ms. Brandy
L. Krause.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you, Elliot, for that warm introduction.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome.
Let me start off by saying it is such an honor
to stand before you today as your class representative.
I have had much help getting to this point
and I can't say thank you enough.
To the Penn College faculty and staff,
specifically Robert Slothus, Karen Plankenhorn,
and Katie Mackey, thank you.
You have been such amazing mentors during such a crazy time
in my life, challenging and pushing me
to be bigger than I imagined.
And to my family and friends, thank you just doesn't cut it.
You had been through the thick and thin
and I couldn't imagine attempting this on my own.
Now, to the graduates of 2012, congratulations.
The journey hasn't always been easy but it was worth it.
Looking back, it seemed as if this day would never come,
and yet here we are and it seemed the time flew by.
Today is a time to celebrate, to look back and remember the good,
the bad, and even the ugly and be proud of it all.
For me, the past three years have been all about balancing.
It is my nature to do as many things as possible and do them
to the best of my ability.
Well, it all served-- often evoked stress and a lack
of time, it is what I have come to love.
And I've also been told, I won't know what to do
with all my extra time I'll find after college.
But I've a plan, continue to balance my life.
My journey began with a lack of balance.
When I say this I'm referring to myself as a clumsy 5-year-old.
My parents made the decision to place me in a ballet class
to teach me coordination and balance.
And this is where my plethora of activities began.
As I aged, I continued to do more and add to the list.
I'm sure I drove my parents slightly crazy before I had my
license, needing them to take me from one thing to the next,
to being forced to join me in my fast-paced journey,
and then came college.
For many, college is a stepping stone.
It is a time to grow up and live on our own,
a time to continue our education and specialize
in something we love and a time
to make mistakes and lose our balance.
This journey hasn't always been easy
and balancing everything became difficult.
Naturally, as soon as I walked on the campus,
I began figuring out what I could do.
Soon after, however, I found myself in more
than I could handle or so it seemed.
Balancing school, clinic, two jobs, two sports,
two honor societies, and a club that no one seemed to know what
to do with was just too much.
The girl who did it all had reached her limit.
I became overwhelmed and didn't know how to handle it.
For a moment, I thought about dropping it all
and just taking some time to figure it out,
but I instantly knew that wasn't the option for me.
It just wasn't what I would or could ever do.
So instead, I did the only thing I could think of,
took a deep breath and continued on.
I learned to manage my time.
I had to. Without it I would never have done half
of what I did or should say do.
In spite of everything, I continued to balance.
In fact, that clumsy girl even managed to do quite well
on point, which for those who don't know dance,
are those crazy shoes that ballerinas literally wear
to stand on their toes.
But I also managed to balance my life.
People say there is a time for everything and I am a
such a strong believer in this.
This does not, however,
imply that at any given moment there is only time
for one thing.
We didn't just take the past several years
to go to college and study.
We also took the time to make new friends,
experience new things, and challenge ourselves.
We had to balance the time spent in each role.
When we spend too much time focusing on one role
or activity, as I did when I first took on everything here
at college, we lose that balance.
So I challenge you to find your balance
as it is different for every person.
Find the balance between work, family, friends, learning,
growing, relaxing, volunteering, appraising, helping
and taking time for yourself.
It can be tricky to discover how
to simultaneously manage all of these aspects.
But when you do, the rewards are great.
If you're anything like me, you'll just know
when you're off balance and when this happens just get back up
and put one foot in front of the other
or like me maybe you'll dance instead.
Thank you once again and congratulations class of 2012.
[ Applause ]
>> The Mentorship Award recognizes alumni or businesses
that had made significant or ongoing contributions
to the education and development of Penn College students
by providing mentorship opportunities
or professional guidance.
This year, we are proud to honor McClarin Plastics,
a premier plastics manufacturer based in Hanover Pennsylvania.
The company provides large thermoplastic
and fiberglass reinforced plastic components serving
customers throughout the United States as well
as five countries internationally.
McClarin Plastics is a significant Penn College partner
working with our plastics and polymer and plastics
and polymer engineering majors and serving as an active member
of our Plastics Innovation Resource Center or PIRC
which supports industry clients worldwide.
The company also has a strong proponent
of the colleges Thermoforming Center of Excellence
which provides additional opportunities for students
to experience real world applications
through industry partnerships.
Over the years, Todd R. Kenney, President of McClarin Plastics,
has supported a number of fundraising
and grant-matching initiatives to enable us
to purchase new equipment
and provide hands-on opportunities for our students.
He also serves on the Plastics
and Polymer Engineering Technology Advisory Committee.
He thought so highly of our plastics and polymer program,
that he encouraged his son to enroll.
Todd P. Kennedy graduated in 2006
and has been active participant
on the program advisory committee.
He is a frequent guest speaker in the classroom
and he's very active with our students.
Roger Kipp, Vice President of Marketing and Engineering
with McClarin has served on the PIRC's Advisory Committee
for a number of years and as a Society
of Plastics Engineering Thermoforming Division board
member, he has been instrumental in connecting students
with the society, an alliance which has increased the support
for the program and increased student scholarships.
We are very pleased to present the 2012 Mentorship Award
to McClarin Plastics, a company providing significant
and ongoing support to our plastics
and polymer engineering technology program.
Please join me in welcoming Todd R. Kennedy
who will accept the awards on behalf of McClarin Plastics.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Discussion ]
>> I'll be brief I promise.
Dr. Gilmour, thank you very much.
My sincere congratulations go out to those graduating today
and their parents and their loved ones.
The relationship Penn College nurtures between academics,
industry and success upon graduation has become a
standard, a model of excellence and achievement.
The Penn College Culture prepares graduates
to embrace free markets and to achieve independence which leads
to successful careers.
Within the Polymer Engineering Program, there are leaders,
exceptional people and I'd like to recognize those today
because I'm very close with each of them.
My thanks go to Tim Weston, Kirk Cantor, John Bartolomucci,
Gary McQuay and of course the PNC, Mary Michael,
Hank White and Christy Allen.
McClarin Plastics and our 240 associates thank you
for giving us this honor and congratulation to each
of you, God Bless you.
[ Applause ]
[ Pause ]
>> Ladies and gentlemen as many of you know,
the legal corporate body of the Pennsylvania College
and Technology is its Board of Directors.
This is the body that by our charter has given final
responsibility for the governance welfare
and all other interest pertaining to the college.
Though some responsibilities are delegated,
ultimate authority rests with the board.
At this time, I would like to call upon Dr. Robert Secor,
Chairman of the Board of Director
to authorize the conferring on degrees at this ceremony.
Dr. Secor?
[ Applause ]
>> This is a very special occasion for all of you.
The degrees being awarded have come from hard work,
from the guidance and wisdom of the faculty
and from strong support from your family and friends.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend to all
of the graduates our congratulation and best wishes.
And to the supporting family members, the faculty
and friends I extend our thanks for your support.
Now, I turn to my official duty.
Dr. Gilmour, by virtue of the authority vested in the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
I authorize you on behalf of the Board to confer on each
of these candidates the degree earned as certified
by the appropriate school Dean.
[ Applause ]
>> Will the candidates for Bachelors
of Science Degrees, please rise.
[ Pause ]
Dr. Girlmour, upon recommendation of the faculty,
I am pleased to inform you that these men
and women have satisfactorily completed the requirements
for the Bachelor of Science Degree.
>> By virtue of the authority vested in my by the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
I do hereby confer upon you the Bachelors of Science Degrees
that you have earned with all of their rights and privileges
and with congratulations from the Board of Directors,
the administration and the faculty.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]
>> You may be seated.
Will the candidates for all Associate Degrees
and Certificates please rise.
Dr. Gilmour, upon recommendation of the faculty, I am pleased
to inform you that these men
and women have satisfactorily completed the requirements
for their respective associate degrees and certificates.
>> By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
I do hereby confer upon you the Associate Degrees
and Certificates that you have earned with all of the rights
and privileges and with congratulations from the Board
of Directors, the faculty
and the administration, congratulations.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Remark ]
You can come over here.
Now with the Baccalaureate Graduates please rise as well.
Ladies and gentlemen,
you entered this theater a short time ago as candidates
for the degrees that you have earned.
You have just received those degrees.
As a symbol of you entry into the world of educated men
and women I'm going to ask you to join me
as I turn the graduation tassel of your class representative.
This symbolizes that you are now graduates
of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, congratulations.
[ Applause ]
You may be seated.
As individuals in institutions we all pass through clear stages
of development, points in time where we grow into new roles
and new responsibilities.
This ceremony is a transition event for all graduates.
Today, the Pennsylvania College
of Technology will recognize individuals
with academic honors.
Outstanding Academic achievement will be recognized
for all students.
The gold, silver, blue or white cords
that they wear during these ceremonies will identify
these students.
White for honors, silver for high honors,
gold for highest honors and blue cords
for distinguished performance and certificates.
In addition, we're proud to recognize graduates
who are members of Phi Theta Kappa.
Their gold stoles and gold tassels can identify
these students.
We also are pleased to recognize graduates
of the Alpha Chi Honor Society white stoles will identify
these students.
We would now like to recognize the veterans
in our class identified by the red, white, and blue chords.
Students who are graduating, who have served on active duty
as well as those who were currently serving
in all branches of the military,
would those students please stand.
[ Applause ]
>> Please remain standing.
[ Applause ]
I'd like to tell you about our Penn College veterans.
Three have earned purple hearts, four have earned bronze stars,
70 have earned Iraq Campaign Medals
and 17 have earned Afghanistan Campaign Medals.
We are very proud.
[ Applause ]
At this time, Carolyn Strickland,
the Assistant Vice President for Academic Services,
the respective school deans will present the candidates.
Dr. Secor and I will present the diplomas.
Now, I know that you want
to capture this moment on-- not film I will say.
You want to capture the moment some way on a phone, a camera,
or some other device that you got with you today
and so we will let you do that.
We simply ask that you leave the area in front
of the official photographers open
so that they can capture the images they're after as well.
And the ceremony now begins.
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
[ Noise ]
As we begin, I will tell you that a survey a few years ago
for college presidents asked them about what they think
about during this next part of the ceremony.
The number one item responded
to by those college presidents were shoes.
This is a particularly health science dominated service today
and so I guarantee you we're going to be thinking
about the shoes as they walk across, encouraging them
to all get across the stage.
So, with that we'll begin.
>> President Gilmour, I present the graduates from the School
of Business and Computer Technologies.
>> Stacey M. Adams.
[ Noise ]
[ Applause ]
Shane A. Davis.
[ Applause ]
Paul C. McGinty.
[ Applause ]
David Calvin Earle.
[ Applause ]
Benjamin Roy Hannon.
[ Applause ]
Jeffrey Benjamin Schroeder.
[ Applause ]
Rebecca Elaine Hill.
[ Applause ]
Natasha Kay Steppe.
[ Cheering ]
Stephanie Nicole Tempesco.
[ Applause ]
Catherine Ann Oliver.
[ Applause ]
Logan T. Richard.
[ Applause ]
Nicholas Anthony Tanner.
[ Cheering ]
Tiffany Marie Male.
[ Applause ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm honored to present the graduates
from the School of Construction and Design Technologies.
>> Ryan M. Harpster.
[ Cheering ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm proud to present the graduates
from the School of Health Sciences.
>> Gregory H. Burgett.
[ Applause ]
Crissy Bogdanowicz.
[ Applause ]
Amy Suzanne Bower.
[ Applause ]
Rolando Calderon.
[ Applause ]
Cortni Lynne Chilson.
[ Applause ]
Patrick J. Daly.
[ Applause ]
Lauren Olivia Victoria Edgell.
[ Cheering ]
Adrienne I.
Kahler.
[ Applause ]
Timothy W. Kemberling.
[Applause]
Melissa R. Kiesling.
[ Applause ]
Alicia C. Knittle.
[ Applause ]
Nicole M. Krater.
[ Applause ]
Heather Louise Laird.
[ Applause ]
Tammy June Lingle.
[ Applause ]
Katie M. Linn.
[ Applause ]
Sara Marie Losell.
[ Applause ]
Kara Lea Martin.
[ Applause ]
Shianne Lynn Maurer.
[ Applause ]
Kelsie Shirrie Musser.
[ Applause ]
Katelyn N. Poling.
[ Applause ]
Allison Reisinger.
[ Applause ]
Shawn T. Ritchey.
[ Applause ]
Vincent Angelo Savarese.
[ Applause ]
Kymberly Nicole Serio.
[ Applause ]
Tosha L. Smith.
[ Applause ]
Kayla Leann Spangler.
[ Applause ]
Stephanie Marie Wesstrom.
[ Applause ]
Maddy Diane Winner.
[ Applause ]
Amanda D. Wolfe.
[ Applause ]
Jennifer L. Dunlap.
[ Applause ]
Brittany Ann Aruffo.
[ Applause ]
Abdel Gadalla.
[ Applause ]
Alicia M. Cave.
[ Applause ]
Patricia Louise Conelly.
[ Applause ]
Melissa L. Edler.
[ Applause ]
Jessica J. Folk [phonetic].
[ Applause ]
Cristine Elizabeth Gabel.
[ Applause ]
Tiffani Marie Hughes.
[ Applause ]
Aileen Marie Keiper.
[ Applause ]
Jessica Lee Korman.
[ Applause ]
Jordan L. Moore.
[ Applause ]
Ashley Lauren Newcomer.
[ Applause ]
Brenda LeAnne Packer.
[ Applause ]
Miranda L. Patt.
[ Applause ]
>> Temmy Ann Sheatler.
[ Applause ]
Dana Lynn Sims.
[ Applause ]
Cerri Leigh Smith.
[ Applause ]
Christy Michelle Yingling.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Discussion ]
Adeyinka Eno-obong Agbaje.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Discussion ]
Robert Andrew Allison.
[ Applause ]
Kristin J. Bernard.
[ Applause ]
Nicole L. Bogusa [phonetic].
[ Applause ]
Joshua Alan Bower.
[ Applause ]
>> Braun?
>> Yeah
>> Casey Lynn Braun.
[ Applause ]
Jillian Cartwright.
[ Applause ]
Cameron James Cowburn.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you.
>> Heather Lynn Day.
[ Applause ]
Meghan Lynn Faust.
[Applause] Christopher T. Goode.
[ Applause ]
Hillarie Ann Hartzell.
[ Applause ]
Andrew J. Hoysock Jr.
[ Applause ]
Kelsi Cristine Hummel.
[ Applause ]
Salvatore Giuseppe Marino.
[ Applause ]
Kelley Michelle McGinnis.
[ Applause ]
Nathan M. Montgomery.
[ Applause ]
Cheryl L. Powell.
[ Applause ]
Kelsey Beth Ratesic.
[ Applause ]
Laura E. Richardson.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Discussion ]
Hans D. Reisinger.
[ Applause ]
Tammy Rene Rishel.
[ Applause ]
Derek Paul Rockwell.
[ Applause ]
[ Inaudible Discussion ]
Eric Stephen Rymal.
[ Applause ]
Amanda Katherine Seasock.
[ Applause ]
Blair Anthony Stepp.
[ Applause ]
Paula C. Szabo.
[ Applause ]
Danielle L. Williams.
[ Applause ]
Megan E. Wright.
[ Applause ]
Stephen Kyle Banke.
[ Applause ]
Brittany Alyse Fry.
[ Applause ]
Trent A. Hill.
[ Applause ]
Sara Catherine Johns.
[ Applause ]
Jody L. McKibben.
[ Applause ]
Brittani Noel Phillips.
[ Applause ]
Erica S. Racedo.
[ Applause ]
Aaron C. Schaeffer.
[ Applause ]
Brian J. Schlener.
[ Applause ]
Kathy L. Kling.
[ Applause ]
Forrest D. Bechdel.
[ Applause ]
Alicia Danielle Bennage.
[ Applause ]
Kristin Elizabeth Bouch.
[ Applause ]
Heather R. Bower.
[ Applause ]
Corinne A. Boyer.
[ Applause ]
Stephanie Jolynn Brouse.
[ Applause ]
Blair Michelle Cillo.
[ Applause]
Ashley Marie Drake.
[ Applause ]
Carrie Ruth Eichenlaub.
[ Applause ]
Dennis L. Fetters Jr.
[ Applause ]
Natasha Lynn Fiola.
[ Applause ]
Chelsea F. Karschner.
[ Applause ]
Eric Daniel Kennedy.
[Applause] Rachel R. Krick.
[ Applause ]
Nina Renay Peoria.
[ Applause ]
Sierra L. Petro.
[ Applause ]
Kristin Ann Repsher.
[ Applause ]
Ashley M. Rishel.
[ Applause ]
Melanie Anne Roof.
[ Applause ]
Rachel Marie Twist.
[ Applause ]
Jennifer R. Vollman.
[ Applause ]
Tarrah Jeanne White.
[ Applause ]
Michael K. Becker.
[Laughter]
>> Jamie?
>> Jamie, yes.
>> Jaime Lynn Binkley.
[ Applause ]
Brianna Jane Burger.
[ Applause ]
Kim Renee Decker.
[ Applause ]
Kelsi Jane Erway.
[ Applause ]
[Inaudible Discussion]
Justine Elisa Foym [phonetic].
[ Applause ]
Rachel Marie Fasciano.
[ Applause ]
>> Charlie N. Fohringer.
[ Applause ]
Tammy S. Folmar.
[ Applause ]
Tasha M. Hill.
[ Applause ]
Michelle Lyn Holliday.
[ Applause ]
Amber L. Keller.
[ Applause ]
Devyn Marie Pasco.
[ Applause ]
Lauren A. Powell.
[ Applause ]
Paige K. Sanner.
[ Applause ]
[ Noise ]
>> President Gilmour, I present the graduates
from the School of Hospitality.
>> Marlee M. Horchen.
[ Applause ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm honored to present the graduates
from School of Integrated Studies.
>> Jordan Harley Freezer.
[ Cheering ]
Misty Dawn Glantz.
[ Applause ]
Philip A. Jackson.
[ Applause ]
Chantelle Renee Waldman.
[ Applause ]
Jessica Dawn Brumgard.
[ Applause ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm pleased to present the graduates
of the School of Natural Resources Management.
>> Ryon M. Bodwalk.
[ Applause ]
Travis M. Cain.
[ Applause ]
Stephen Michael Jenks.
[ Applause ]
Aaron M. Miller.
[ Applause ]
Charles Kenneth Rossiter.
[ Applause ]
William R. Toomey.
[ Applause ]
Joseph Daniel Winters.
[ Applause ]
Cody R. Huffman.
[ Applause ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm pleased to present the graduate
of the School of Transportation and Technology.
>> Jeffrey D. Lee.
[ Applause ]
And Brandy Leigh Krause.
[ Applause ]
[ Noise ]
>> Your connection to the college does not end today.
As graduates, you're now members
of the Penn College Alumni Association and that is the link
between you and your alma mater.
I'm going to encourage you to keep in touch
with alumni relations.
You're going to hear from that office often with alumni news
and of course the number one way you'll tell us what's going
on is Facebook, we know that.
I look forward to welcoming you back to campus
to future alumni events and activities
and so it's really important that we continue to hear
about your success in the world.
It's the time that I look forward to the most.
Until it arrived, because I know the moment is going
to pass too quickly.
Now we joked about presidents thinking about shoes
but in all honesty, a good president thinks
about this moment right now, the moment where we have
to say goodbye to you and we're at--
it's our honor to say goodbye to you on behalf of all
of these talented faculty and staff behind me.
And I wish then for just a moment
that time could stand still and I could just have a moment
of your time before you leave us.
You're special and I hope you know that.
You're special because you have skills and opportunities
to make a difference in this world.
I'm sure that some call me an idealist, the mission
and the values of our college mean a lot to me.
I want you to leave here knowing how important values
and virtues will be throughout your entire life.
I know that they probably sound like old fashion ideas
to you especially coming from the leader of a college
that embraces new and emerging technology.
But I believe with all my heart that progress is built
on a foundation of basic principles
that will sustain us through generations.
We often avoid conversations about steadfast values
and virtues because we fear as hypocrites,
we might be a hypocrite if we are seen to fail
or live up to those ideas.
We don't want to risk offending anybody whose culture
or tradition might be different from our own.
But in the end nothing should stand in the way
of communicating common values and virtues
that can strengthen our world.
Every culture and every tradition has a place
for honesty, integrity, compassion and responsibility.
Obligation to leave the world good or better
than we found it rather than limiting our lives,
I would tell you that I think values
and virtues make opportunities for each of us
to make a profound difference.
We are able to connect what we know in our heads
with what we know in our hearts and what we do with our hands
and therefore we can find true purpose
and meaning in our lives.
I hope your Penn College education will connect the
knowledge in your head, the skills in your hand
and the desires in your heart.
Understanding that our lives have value
in committing our talents to making the world a better place,
our ways that we can begin to live virtuous lives.
Each time that you choose to do the right thing instead
to taking the easy way out you will choose virtue.
As college graduates, you'll be leaders in your work places
and in your communities.
And the way that you express your values through your words
and your actions will impact the lives of others.
Others will follow your example, so be virtuous in your life.
The great philosopher Socrates said, "The greatest way to live
with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."
Pretending is not enough; you need to intend
to do the right thing.
We have seen how the mighty can fall when they fail
to do what's right and when they did what they pretended to be.
Who will you be?
How is this experience of college changed you?
How will you use your experience to change the world?
You are going to make life changing decisions throughout
your life.
You will transition from one purpose in one place,
your jobs will change, you will move to new places
and you will meet new people.
One day, you will plan for your retirement, honest.
In all of your decisions and in all
of your transitions the same questions are going to arise.
Who are you and what kind of person do you want to be?
Be steadfast in your commitment.
I urge you to greet your life with energy and enthusiasm
to employ your knowledge, your values and your virtues
in creating a life that you most desire.
Today you become part of a very proud tradition.
You join the Penn College Alumni Association.
For almost 100 years,
our institution has been changing lives
and impacting communities.
Come back often and share your gifts and your talents with us.
Make us proud.
It is now time.
I can't hold the moment any longer.
It's time for me on behalf of all of us to say goodbye.
So class of 2012, you're now part of the valued
and virtuous history
of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Go out into this world and make us proud.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you Dr. Gilmour.
I invite those who are able to stand,
gentlemen to again remove your caps and everyone to join
in the singing of the Penn College Alma Mater.
The words may be found on page two of your program.
[ Noise ]
[ Singing ]
[ Applause ]