Mita inspires students at 133rd Convocation

Eustace Mita, chairman and CEO of ICONA resorts, chairman of Mita Management, and CEO of Achristavet, LLC, addressing the students as the keynote speaker at the 133rd Convocation on August 31, said “Our good Lord said ‘I’m going to give you all talents and I want you to use them to the best of your ability.’ ”

He then quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, who said “I don’t care if you are a streetsweeper, but be the best streetsweeper you can be.”

Mita was explaining to the students the importance of being the best that you can be no matter what it is that you are doing – carpentry, masonry, or whatever you are interested in.

He said after thinking about what is the best thing to give to the students of Williamson he decided to give his list of “Words to Live By.”

“I am going to give you a gift and I hope you will accept it. It took me 40 years of blood, sweat, and tears and hundreds of books and classes to come up with this list. These are tools for your tool box. They worked for me and they will work for you.

“It’s good that we are here. The question is, why are we here? Why do you find yourself at Williamson?” He told the students that they have been given much by being admitted as students at Williamson.

“In the past ten years, my wife and I built an orphanage in Kenya and a feeding center in Ethiopia. Every time I went there I said ‘Why me?’ ‘Why am I so blessed?’ Why my family? I used to be proud to be an American. I’m beyond proud, I’m grateful to God.”

The first item on the list was, Wherever you are, be there. “If you are in school, be in school. If you are in class, be in class. If you are with your family, be with your family. Cell phones are the greatest blessing and the greatest curse.”

He then said to surround yourself with positive people. “Bad people make you feel bad about yourself and good people lift you up and make you feel good about yourself.

“Discover your unique ability. Everyone here has a unique ability. Discover what it is and focus, focus, focus on your definitive purpose in life, and whatever you focus on will multiply your energy tenfold.”

He added that words paint pictures so always use positive words and music stirs the soul so listen to music that is upbeat.

He then said, “There are three things that are going to change you: the books you read, the people you meet, and the goals that you set.”

He said if you only read one book it should be How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and that you should be sure to read The Power of Your Sub-Conscience Mind by Joe Murphy.

He also read an ancient scroll that is over 2,000 years old which said, “Today I begin a new life and that is what you students are doing here.”

The scroll also said to “live this day as if it were your last. Yesterday is gone, I will think only of today. Today is all I have and if it is my last, I will do my best.”

At the conclusion of his talk, President Michael Rounds presented him with a small box with the Williamson logo etched on the lid, containing a working compass, symbolizing the meaning of Convocation – to give guidance and direction.

In his introduction of Mita, Rounds said “It is my honor to introduce another great servant leader to help us kick off this new school year with some inspiring words. He is not a Williamson graduate, but is someone I greatly admire and respect. I have been a member of the Chester Gospel Reflection Group for the past nine years, a group he started over 20 years ago.

“As chairman and CEO of ICONA Resorts, he owns and manages hotels in several beach towns in New Jersey. As chairman of Mita Management, he has interests in the automotive and real estate industries. As CEO of Achristavest, LLC, he develops waterfront properties in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and several other states.

“Being very passionate about his Catholic faith, he serves on the board of the Papal Foundation, president of the National Center for Padre Pio, chairman of Man Up Ministries, chairman of Our Lady of Kibeho Foundation, and founding chairman of Man Up in New Jersey and New York.

“He also is a founding board member of the worldwide Lumen Institute, is the founding chairman of Man Up Philly, is on the board of Direction for Our Times, Ireland, and That Man is You.”

Rounds said Convocation is a great day at Williamson because it officially launches a new school year – the 133rd.

“It is my great privilege to serve as the thirteenth president of this unique and special institution. This is the beginning of our eleventh year here and Mary Nell and I are as excited to be a part of this great mission as we were when we first started. We feel truly blessed to be here.”

He went on to thank the teachers and instructors and the administrative support staff for all they do to teach the students and prepare them for the future.

“Students, the education and training you receive in your trade is the best in the country, but what really sets Williamson apart is the exemplification of the five core values. Your three-year journey is built on the core values and is focused on developing leaders of character. Great leadership is inspirational, motivational, and at its heart is a genuine concern for the best interest of those that you lead – a servant leader, leading from the front and leading by example. The greatest example of a true servant leader that the world has ever witnessed was Jesus, that tradesman from Nazareth who gave us the example of how we should live our lives.”

In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Michelle Williams, vice president of Academic Affairs/CAO, said “I welcome you to Williamson’s 133rd Convocation. I stand before you today excited to welcome all of you to the start of the new academic year.”

She then recognized each class and encouraged them to do their best and to stick with it unto graduation. “Students, you have a tremendous opportunity, embrace each and every day and make each day count.

She presented the honor of faculty emeritus to Charles “Chuck” Feld who served as Williamson’s instructor of horticulture, landscaping, and turf management from 2006 to 2021. The faculty emeritus award honors faculty who have retired from Williamson, but have left an indelible mark on the community during their years of service.

“When I mentioned Chuck’s name to people who worked with him, they said he was hardworking and knowledgeable, accomplished, dedicated, and went ‘above and beyond.’ Chuck, Williamson is eternally grateful for you and your years of service.”

Chaplain Mark Specht 7W7 gave the invocation and benediction, Sean Howat, assistant chaplain, gave the responsorial psalm, Joshua Gindle, senior class president, gave the scripture reading, and the Artisans led the audience in the singing of the alma mater under the leadership of Sherre Gaertner.