It's that time of year, RIers give tips to grads

By Herb Weiss
Posted 5/23/17

By HERB WEISS During the month of May, commencement speakers will be addressing the graduating Class of 2017 at Colleges, Universities and higher learning institutions in Rhode Island and throughout the nation. Robed graduating seniors will listen

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It's that time of year, RIers give tips to grads

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During the month of  May, commencement speakers will be addressing the graduating Class of 2017 at Colleges, Universities and higher learning institutions in  Rhode Island and throughout the nation.   Robed graduating seniors will listen attentively to these 10-minute speeches usually given by very well-known lawmakers, judges, television personalities and business CEOs who offer tips on how the graduate can live a successful and fulfilling life. The graduates can only hope that this advice that might just propel them into a more rewarding personal and professional life.

Traditionally this notable, successful, and stimulating figure, is oftentimes well-known in the community.  Larger institutions may choose speakers of national or international renown, but sometimes this recognition comes at a great cost, commanding high speaking fees. Locally, Brown University, unique among Ivy League institutions, features graduating seniors, rather than outside dignitaries, as their commencement speakers.

So, I suggest to Presidents of Colleges and Universities, with your tight operating budgets, you can save a little money by not bringing in high-paid commencement speakers with another alternative.  As can be seen below, there are many potential candidates in Rhode Island communities that fly below the selection committee’s radar screen and can give college graduates very sound strategies for success gleaned from their everyday life experiences. The messages gleaned from average every day Rhode Islanders will most surely give a road maps on how the graduating senior can reach their potential in a very challenging world. 

 Eric J. Auger, 48, Pawtucket, Co-Founder/Creative Director for TEN21 Productions. “Having been an active artist and exhibiting my work since the age of 4, I can look back at 44 years of trials and errors that have influenced me to become the artist that I am today. My advice to anyone starting out is to follow your intuition and embrace all the success and failures that it may bring you. Living through and learning from these experiences is what opens your eyes to your true potential.”

Michael Bilow, Providence, Writer at Motif Magazine, “Only you are the ultimate judge of what you want. Take advice from people who want to help you, but don't worry about pleasing them. Money is important to have enough to be independent, but not as an end in itself. Never take a job or a romantic partner just because others expect it of you. Be nice, but not too nice. Don't lie to yourself. Worry less. You have a right to be happy.”

Natelie Carter, 73, Cumberland, Director of Operations for Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

“One of the oldest pieces of wisdom ever dispensed is one that has guided my life “Know Thyself.” It still directs my life that has been filled with remarkable events and few regrets.  However, there is the wisdom of Edna St. Vincent Millay to learn from “I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.”

 Greg Gerritt,63, Providence, Head of Research for ProsperityForRI.com. “Climate Change is the existential crisis of our time.  Be ready to resist the oligarchy when they seek to prevent protest and work to protect their fortunes.  Be ready to resist the oligarchy when they crank up the false news and the war machine.  If you shut down the war machine and truly stop climate change your lives will be better.  If you do not, get ready for a hot and violent planet and community.”  

Maureen O’Gorman, Warwick, Adult Correctional Institute GED Teacher. “Meredith Grey, fictional philosophizing doctor said: “The story of our evolution is the story of what we leave behind.” Human tails no longer exist and the appendix isn't functional. Every choice we make comes at the cost of choices we didn't make. Reinventing ourselves can't happen without discarding something behind as we move forward. Honor the past, but do not live in it.”

Nora Hall,72, North Kingstown, freelance writer. “Empathy may be the most important life skill you can develop.  It enables you to “put yourself in another’s shoes” and makes you a great leader.” 

 Everett Hoag, 63, North Providence, President of Fountain Street Creative.  “Advice to new artists - Believe in yourself and your work. Explore as many forms as you can. Discover art comes from inside and as long as you have the skills, true art will emerge. Keep creating and create what is true to you, never stop or be discouraged by what others say… Designers—we make the world more beautiful. More functional. Safer. More special. The more of ‘you’ that goes into your work, the more original it becomes; there’s something magical about that.” 

John Kevorkian, 63, East Greenwich, Management Psychologist/Business Coach. “Over the years, I’ve noticed that so much of success comes from simply showing up.  Be aware, get involved, get engaged with what is important to you. Be there and be!  Be truly interested in understanding the other’s viewpoint and situation.  Ask questions and listen to learn what you don’t know and then you will be well prepared to confidently voice opinions and be helpful.  Be a catalyst. It is easier to make things happen if you don’t care who gets the credit.” 

Larry Monastesse, 65, Pawtucket, Director of Administration, Coastline Employee Assistant Program (EAP).  “Passion and Education is the Key.  Mistakes happen- learn from them but do not quit. Keep your goals front and center. Have the courage to follow you heart, it is the true measure of your success. Time is limited, share with family and friends. They will be with you on your lifelong journey. Make time for yourself and give back to society in some form that you are comfortable with and enjoy. Do dream and enjoy the ride.”

Steven R. Porter, 52, Glocester, A college diploma is treated like the end of an educational learning journey, but truthfully, it's just the start. Those who will be the most successful in life never stop reading, studying or acquiring new skills. The world is a rapidly changing place, and higher education does a good job of preparing you for what the world was like, not what the world is going to be. Stay positive and aggressive.

Debra Rossetti, over 50, Central Falls, Staff Developer/Literacy, New York City Department of Education.  “You can and will make a difference in our society and world, This day is a special and important milestone in your life. You have accomplished much to be standing where you are now, but your journey has just begun. You have much more to do and challenges to bear in your years ahead. Transform yourself in to the person you aspire to be, be ready for change, think forward and move forward.  Continue to educate yourself.  Life is a journey with lessons to learn at every corner. Take advantage of opportunities to grow your mind and pursue your dreams. Believe in yourself, believe in others, always be humble and kind.”

Randy Sacilotto, 55, Cumberland, Navigant Credit Unions, Vice President, Community Development.  “My mom told me to remember to love people and use things, never the other way around. This may seem pretty simple and logical. Yet there are times we may want to do the reverse. Remember that it is by genuine caring interaction with another human soul that we learn and laugh and grow. And nothing you will own will ever visit you when you're sick, hold you when you're sad, or celebrate your accomplishments.”

Susan Sweet, 75, Rumford, former state employee.  “Make your own trail and avoid the well-worn path. Find interests and passions and live them. Create purpose in your life.  Do something good, something useful in your life. Contribute to the happiness and well-being of other beings. Let death be your advisor.”

Patricia Zacks, 63, Pawtucket, Owner of Camera Werks: Never be afraid of trying new things.  Hardships and setbacks are part of life, but it is how we deal with them that can make all the difference.  Obstacles may be opportunities in disguise, and change oftentimes leads to new roads, exciting journeys and a time of self-discovery.  Follow your bliss. 

Herb Weiss, LRI’12 is a Pawtucket writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. To purchase Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly, a collection of 79 of his weekly commentaries, go to herbweiss.com.

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