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>>MONICA WHITE: The last of our speakers is Emily Davey, the oldest of
President Horvath's daughters and step-daughters. An Executive Recruiter at
Creative Financial in Akron, Ohio, she brings greetings on behalf of all of Dr.
Horvath's family members.
>>EMILY DAVEY: I am so honored to be able to speak on behalf of our family
today as you become president of this school, which has meant so much to you
over the past seven years.
As I reflect on all of the things you have done throughout your life to get
here today, I can't find one single defining moment, one single life-altering event
that put you on this path. I don't think there was a moment when you just realized
that you wanted to be President. I think there have been so many times where you
had to make a decision to either follow or step up and lead. And you led.
You have always worked so hard. I have never seen you just settle with
"just good enough." You were never the kind of person to fight your way to the
top but as you saw things that weren't working, you worked to change them; as
you saw things that needed attention, you worked on making them better.
I remember the day when you were deciding if you should go forward with
an administrative career even though it would mean not teaching. You always
seemed to just naturally belong in a classroom. You have so much to give, so
much to offer your students.
I am so proud that you have never lost that focus on
what is so important to an institution of learning; the students and the education
that each student receives during their time there.
I know that the students have always been your first priority. You gave each
and every one of your students everything you could teach them. Any of those
students who wanted to learn would get your full commitment. You fully
dedicated yourself to their education. You continued to volunteer and work with
student groups to make the lives of students who were dealing with adversity,
prejudice and abuse just a little bit easier.
You brought those same core values and beliefs to your Vice Presidency
and I have full faith that they will follow you through your presidency. You are
still one of the best teachers that I have ever known. Your classroom has just
gotten a little bit bigger.
You have never believed that there is only one path to success. You have
never believed that anyone is too old to learn. You fight hard for the underdogs
but never at a cost to those to which learning seems to come more naturally.
You are one of the only people I have ever met who walks into a meeting with
someone new with no preconceived notions about what they might be like, how
they might act, or what they might do.
You let everyone earn a fair chance. I love that you have never thought that
you've been right about everything, will admit when you're a little off, and happily,
gracefully embrace the ideas and critiques of others.
You are never afraid to try. You are never afraid of something new. You're
never afraid of a challenge. You believe in the greater good, believe that
truth will prevail and believe that people really are decent; you just sometimes
catch them on a bad day. I love that in your aspirations to teach and inspire you are
still a great learner and listener. You drink in information from everyone around
you. You're awed and humbled by differences in people and strive to see the
world as openly as possible.
I have heard so many times from so many people, how wonderful you are;
a wonderful teacher, a wonderful friend, a wonderful daughter,
wonderful sister, wonderful neighbor, wonderful coworker, wonderful PERSON.
Please....don't EVER think that I'm numb to that or I roll my eyes and say
something sarcastic to myself. You really are one of the great ones...and you're a
pretty wonderful mother to boot.
I have no doubt that there will be challenges and hard days ahead. I know
you will face tough decisions and uphill battles. There will be sleepless
nights and days when every decision you make seems like it's unfair to someone.
I have talked to you on who knows how many weekend nights when you are
holed up in your office answering email because you generally believe that each
person who takes the time to address a concern with you deserves, at bare
minimum, your attention and a response.
I have the utmost faith that this University is in the very best hands under a
sincere, caring and courageous leader because you have been a caring and
courageous mother. You have never been the kind of person to be one way in one
context and a different way in another. You are genuine and bring all of your cards
to the table.
I remember when you first got your Ph.D. and you jokingly told me to call
you "Dr. Mom." You have now officially outgrown the nickname. "President
Mom." I cannot think of a person more worthy of the title. I cannot wait to see
Congratulations.