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Eustace Mita, CEO of Icona Resorts, Achristavest, and Mita Management, repeated throughout his remarks as the guest speaker at the Convocation opening the 126th school year, “If I can do it, you can do it.”
Mita stressed to the students that it is possible to achieve your goals in life if you choose to. “I had some difficulties throughout my life. I started working as a busboy at the age of 13. My mother said, ‘Be the best busboy you can be.’ I was a busboy at 13 and today I am chairman of Icona Resorts. If I can do it, you can do it.”
He said there are three things that will help you become the person you want to be: the books you read, the people you meet, and the goals you set and achieve.
His advice included, “Work like it depends on you, pray like it depends on God. Be kind to old people and smile alot.”
He pointed out to the students that Williamson has six trades, five core values, 400 applicants for less than 100 spots, three years to get your degree, two families — your Williamson family and your family at home and both are precious, and you have one trade, which is all you need.
“Many college kids don’t have a job. You have so many job opportunities in front of you. This says a lot about your education here.”
At the conclusion of his remarks, President Michael Rounds presented him with a wooden box with a painting of Rowan Hall on the lid.
Rounds said in his opening remarks, “This is the 126th year here at Williamson. It is my privilege to be starting my fourth year as president of this great institution. We have added leadership to our mission statement, we want our students to become true servant leaders, leading from the front, leading as an example.”
Samuel Wrightson, dean of education, in his welcoming remarks told the freshmen they recently graduated from high school and are now in college with much more being expected of them, but they have the potential to do very well. He told the juniors they are survivors who have worked hard every day and the seniors are in their final year at Williamson, giving the faculty and staff one more year to turn them into Williamson men. “Lean forward, work hard, take it one step at a time. We’ll have another special year.”
Guests, who included trustees, alumni, friends, faculty, and staff, enjoyed breakfast in the Sabia Garden and then observed the student lineup and raising of the flag in front of Rowan Hall, before joining the students in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel for the Convocation.
Convocation also included an invocation and benediction from Rev. Mark Specht 7W7; responsorial psalm from Harold Burnett, director of student engagement and residence life; and a scripture reading by Michael Schneider, president of the Class of 1W7.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
