By Maureen Farrell
Graduates should pursue their passions and be open to possibilities, advised journalist Lisa Ling during her address at the 77th Undergraduate Commencement May 18.
As a special correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ling travels around the globe to cover stories, often journeying to dangerous territory. "Discover your passion and pursue it," Ling told the 1,362 graduates. "Continue to be a student of the world and of life. Take this education you've spent your entire lifetime acquiring and use the skills that you've learned to open your mind to things that drive your passion," Ling said.
"You are limited only by your inhibitions and your own mind. You may ask a lot of questions of people and seek others' guidance, but never let anyone tell you that there is only one way. You are on a new road now and only you can dictate your path," Ling said.
Ling received an honorary degree along with Donald P. Calcagnini, a member of the University's board of trustees since 1987. He and three associates founded Hamden National Bank in 1965, when Calcagnini was only 28. The bank is now known as TD Banknorth, a strong supporter of the University. "Quinnipiac is one of the great success stories and we're all a part of it," Calcagnini told graduates. "You are well-prepared to meet the challenges ahead."
Graduate Hannalee Pervan decided to study entrepreneurship in order to pursue her passion. After spending four years as a student-athlete on the women's basketball team, Pervan will trade in her jersey for a white chef's jacket at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Ottawa starting this fall. She will train to become a pastry chef and dreams of one day opening her own bakery.
"I chose entrepreneurship as a major because I want to be able to be my own boss one day. Studying entrepreneurship was a way for me to be able to make my dreams of opening a bakery a reality," said Pervan, who is the first member of her family to graduate from college.
Dale Jasinski, professor of management, said that Pervan "demonstrated the qualities any professor hopes to find in a student: curiosity, passion, dedication and a commitment to excellence in everything she does." Pervan received the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award for the School of Business. The award is given to the student who has earned the highest grade point average among students in the School of Business. This year, the award was given to two students in the school with the same GPA.
Anthony Petrocelli of Seymour, Conn., also received the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award for the School of Business. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and has accepted a job at Ernst & Young's office in Stamford, Conn.
Jennifer Ellsworth received the President's Scholarship Award as well as the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award for the College of Liberal Arts. Ellsworth of Burlington, Conn., earned her bachelor's degree in social services. In the fall, she will begin a master's degree program in social work administration at the University of Connecticut. Ellsworth hopes to start her own nonprofit organization, an interest that stemmed in part from participating in two Albert Schweitzer Institute-sponsored spring break trips to Nicaragua.
In addition to nontraditional spring break destinations, Ellsworth has also spent time in another place where most of her peers have not: senior centers. "I like working with the senior citizen population," she said. "I have a lot of ideas about how to revamp the senior center system for the baby boom population." She admits that her friends sometimes teased her about her job in the North Haven, Conn., senior center, where she worked for two years while in college. But for Ellsworth, it was a labor of love. "You get to know the seniors and listen to their stories," she said.
Ellsworth graduated in three years from Quinnipiac. She credits numerous professors with helping her along the way and says one of the things she loved about the University was the opportunity to develop close relationships with faculty members. Thanks to their encouragement, Ellsworth says she's not afraid of leaving college. "I have so much to look forward to."
Kate Bukowski received the President's Scholarship Award as well as the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award for the School of Health Sciences. Bukowski of Wallingford, Conn., earned her bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. She is enrolled in the entry-level master's physicians assistant program at Quinnipiac. "I'm excited to celebrate graduating with my friends and family, even though I begin PA school 10 days from now!" she said.
Lauren Sboto won the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award for the School of Communications. Sboto of Montrose, N.Y., received her bachelor's degree in public relations, with a minor in Spanish. She spent a semester studying abroad in Seville, Spain, during her junior year and was involved with the University's theater productions and the QU Singers on campus. Sboto is currently applying for jobs with public relations agencies in New York City.
Of course, not all graduates have a job or definite plans. Ronald Weston of Northvale, N.J., admits that it feels a little scary to leave school without a job lined up. With a bachelor's degree in print journalism, Weston is applying for positions in the sports marketing field in the New Jersey area. His dream job? Working for the New York Giants. Fellow graduate Michael DeCarlo of Mount Laurel, N.J., earned his bachelor's degree in marketing, but isn't quite sure yet where he'd like to work. Kishore Kapoor of Hamden, Conn., hopes that his bachelor's degree in legal studies will help him get into law school. But for now, he is planning to take some time off from school and find a job locally.
Kristen McGuire of Nesconset, N.Y., delivered the response from the Class of 2008. "Every one of us has succeeded," McGuire told her fellow graduates. "Our college journey has given each of us the opportunity to prosper and has allowed us to set goals and stop at nothing to reach them," said McGuire, who earned her bachelor's degree in history and political science.
"We learned that success is not always found in reaching the ultimate goal, but rather the efforts put forth throughout the adventure. I am confident we have achieved a goal today, this is something amazing we can share with one another and continue to share even miles apart," McGuire said.
"Woven within the education and experience we have gained throughout our time at Quinnipiac is something even more impactful--community. We all chose different groups to be a part of--whether they have been organizations, classes or circles of friends. But today we are all part of one group--Quinnipiac graduates."