1996 Saint John Spring Convocation

Graduation Address

Delivered by: Celeste, Lino J.

Content
"UNBSJ graduates told they will benefit from downsizing" Telegraph-Journal (25 May 1996). (UA Case 67, Box 3)

Today’s university graduates will benefit from the mistakes companies have made in downsizing in recent years, says the chairman of the boards of NBTel and its parent company Bruncor.

"I think a lot of companies have made a lot of mistakes," Lino Celeste told graduates of the Saint John campus of the University of New Brunswick during yesterday’s convocation.

Mr. Celeste, the former president of NBTel, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Science at yesterday’s ceremony.

"We’ve seen the worst of [downsizing] and the students of today are going to benefit from downsizing when companies realize they’ve gone too far. When they hire again, they’re not going to hire the people they let go, they’re going to hire your graduates."

The single most important attribute that today’s employers are looking for, said Mr. Celeste, is the ability to think and learn.

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