Graduation Address

"Convocation Address, University of New Brunswick, Saint John." (24 May 2002). (UA Case 67, Box 3)

As I look into your faces today, I feel your pride and accomplishment of achieving a major milestone. I also feel your anticipation and excitement for what the future holds for all as you go forward. I vividly remember those feelings on my graduation day. You are now completing a major chapter in your "Book of Life." What is wonderful, is that this is your "Book of Life." You can share it with others, but when the day is done, it is still your book.

If you take a moment to reflect, there have been significant people in your life that have helped shape your journey thus far. They are your parents, family and friends, teachers and professors. But there comes a time when you must take full charge and responsibility for the remaining chapters of your "Book of Life." You will still have the good fortune to have individuals who will have a great impact upon you, but you have now reached the point in your life where you must personally have both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

When I reached this stage in my life, I realized I needed a compass that would guide me through the best and worst of times. That compass became my value system. I asked myself two simple questions. "What do I believe in and what do I stand for?" I went so far as to ask myself one more question. "In my twilight years, for what do I wish to be remembered?"

I was twenty-one at the time and thought this to be a simple exercise. Eight months later, I was able to look in the mirror and provide confident answers. I realized that this was all about the creation of my adult value system. To share my value system with you would be pointless since it is my personal value system and what is right for me may not be appropriate for you.

However, let me share a few insights as to how this has helped me in my "Book of Life." I realized my value system needed to seamlessly transfer between my personal and professional life. I began to understand that in order to achieve this seamless transition, a consistent and sometimes courageous application of my value system would be necessary. I’ve learned over the years, that committing to a value system and actually living it is not easy.

Let me cite a few specific examples to illustrate these learnings. After studying for seven years and receiving a Doctorate in Physical Chemistry, I met and married the man I knew was the person with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life. Now approaching our twenty-fifth anniversary, I know I made the right decision. However, at the time, it was a difficult decision, since my professional life had the strong possibility of not being fulfilled. However, my value system gave me the courage to take a leap of faith with the belief that my education gave me high latitude for adaptivity. This leap of faith has lead me to a fulfilling career that has now lasted twenty-five years. What is delightful, is that I apply daily those seven years of education. In addition, the lesson of adaptivity gave me the courage to embark upon a new career in the boating industry after twenty-four years in the automotive industry.

My husband and I have had the great fortune of rearing two children that we love dearly and who have brought great joy to our lives. What has been insightful for me is that our children have taught me more about the art of leadership than many of my leadership courses. Why? They have allowed me to practice daily, my value system and helped me understand its application in the business world. They taught me compassion, humility, and patience. I often wonder if those learnings would have been possible if I had not answered the "Twilight" question.

Professional ambition is wonderful and healthy if the objective is correct. All too often, many people become fixated on position, prestige, and wealth, with contribution being highly secondary. Over the years, I have observed that those who are focused upon their level of contribution are the ones, who in the end, achieve fulfillment, recognition, and a reasonable level of wealth. As you examine their approach to life, their value system rises to the forefront as a key element of their success, integrity and happiness. They were intellectually brilliant, interpersonally skilled and confident individuals. This, coupled with their value system, allowed them to fire on all cylinders!

As you graduate today, it is important that you define your equation of success with both hands firmly on the steering wheel. From my personal experience, it begins with a conscience understanding of your value system. The twists and bends in your life will often be seen as opportunities with a practiced value system.

In closing, I want to congratulate all of you on this most important day. I also want to extend my personal best wishes as you progress in your journey of life. It is important that you dream about your potential contributions and achievements, both personally and professionally. Translating dreams into reality is what constitutes your "Book of Life."

God bless all of you on this wonderful day! Thank you.