Kevin O’Connor, host of the popular PBS television show “This Old House,” as the keynote speaker at Williamson’s 131st Commencement on May 23, told the 84 members of the Class of 2W4, “You cut your own path and look what you got for it: a degree in three years, skills and a vocation, a job, and no debt.”
Speaking on a stage on the Betty and Russell 5W0 Harvey Athletic Field, O’Connor said, “You weren’t supposed to graduate in three years, you weren’t supposed to learn to work with your hands or to master a trade, and you certainly weren’t supposed to do all that debt free. It took guts to defy convention.
“But you got something else you might not have realized. Because you rejected all the ‘supposed tos,’ you redefined what it means to be prepared and successful. And, you have also won the respect and admiration of the people here today. Your friends and family, but also the respect of countless strangers, myself included, who respect the path you chose and your accomplishments.”
O’Connor went on to commend those who run the college for staying true to the institution’s 136-year-old deed of trust, keeping the focus on young men and understanding what makes them unique, how they learn, and what it takes to make them successful, for enforcing high standards, for allowing the students to graduate debt-free, and working hard at expanding enrollment.
He then said, “I’m going to share some of my experiences which might be useful to you. First, don’t underestimate the bond you now share with each other. We had a saying at the school I went to, ‘Whatever hurts my brother, hurts me.’ These are your brothers now, let them lean on you and more importantly, lean on them.
“Second, where you came from has a lot to do with where you’re going.” He went on to explain that his mother passed away when he was two, leaving his father with the task of taking care of five young children while working. His father eventually remarried and had two more children. “When my mom passed away, my family was not broken, it was just unfinished. The worst things happen and from that the best things grow. I got two new siblings, two new best friends, two new people that had my back.
“When you face adversity, don’t let it break you. Those things that feel like breaks, they’re not kinks in your armor, they are your armor. Never broken; always unfinished.”
He reminded the students that they have an army of people looking after them, but after graduation they become the ones who others rely on. “You are now the ones who can do things, who can fix things, who can keep this world working. I have to assume you have felt the satisfaction of picking up something with your hands and making something of it. A large part of why you matter so much is because you have a purpose and because people rely on you. That’s the definition of manhood, of parenthood, of brotherhood.”
He said that as they receive their academic degree, he respects what they have learned and what they can do. “You are about to get new names. Soon many of you will be called superintendent, foreman, master carpenter, general contractor, chief engineer. Strong names that command respect and project competency.
“I hope all of you will embrace the best name of all – apprentice. It means to understand and learn. Never stop learning and be proud of those new names soon to be bestowed on you.”
He closed saying they should be aware of how they benefited from great mentors and they are now becoming one. “Remember, you don’t just represent Williamson, you represent the idea that a different path, the path you guys walked, can lead to success and fulfillment. Practice your trade, excel at it. Be that apprentice who never stops learning. Show the world that proficiency, not credentialism, is the highest honor. Show the world all the bruises and bumps you endured along the way are your armor and that your skills that you have learned are your weapon and that together they make you fierce.”
In introducing O’Connor, President Michael Rounds said he can’t imagine a better cheerleader for Williamson. “He first visited Williamson in 2021 as part of a tour group. During the tour, he became so impressed with what he saw that he went back to the producers of This Old House and told them all about Williamson. The producers were also impressed and this led to Williamson being featured in a 5-minute segment of an episode of This Old House. When the episode appeared, thousands of people across the country learned of Williamson and our great mission.
“He is so interested in spreading the word of our mission to the entire country, that he arrived for our Commencement a day early and brought along a film crew. They spent a good portion of yesterday, getting further film footage so a segment on Williamson can be included in a future episode of This Old House.
“He also is a good friend of Mike Rowe, host of the show, Dirty Jobs. When Kevin was a guest of a podcast Rowe did, he gave a full endorsement of Williamson in the middle of his interview, once again, spreading the word about Williamson. That’s how strongly Kevin feels about Williamson. He stopped talking about This Old House and himself and spoke about Williamson.”
Host of This Old House since 2003, he also hosts Ask This Old House, is the host of the podcast Clearstory, and has hosted shows for the DIY and History’s H2 networks. He also published the book, “The Best Homes of This Old House.”
O’Connor began his career as a vice president in the Sports Finance Group at Fleet Bank, a job he got because of his love of sports. Later, he became a senior vice president in the Commercial Real Estate Group at Bank of America.
O’Connor, who grew up in Maplewood, NJ, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Boston University.
At the conclusion of his speech, senior class president Josh Gindle presented him with the Gear Award, saying “Thank you for speaking at today’s Commencement. We are presenting you with the Gear Award which was designed and manufactured by our students. It features a series of gears highlighting Williamson’s core values surrounded by each of the college’s six trade programs.”
In his senior address, Gindle said “We turned from boys to Williamson men right before our eyes. We have earned the skills to go out in the world and make a difference, and I implore you to do so. Nobody can take away the memories and good times we’ve shared here. Carry yourself high and hold yourself to a standard above everyone else. Show the world who a Williamson man is. Live your life with virtue and integrity. We are men who know how to adapt, men who know how to overcome challenges and seek answers, men who stand for what’s right and lend a helping hand to those in need. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but if anyone knows how to roll with the punches, it’s us.”
Gindle then exchanged the senior gavel with David DiCampli, president of the Class of 2W5. DiCampli said, “With the passing of the senior gavel we promise to keep the legacy you left behind living on through us. With all of you being part of the largest graduating class in Williamson history, this will be no easy task.”
Dr. Michelle T. Williams, vice president of academic affairs/CAO, announced the seniors who have been inducted into the I.V. Club and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the recipients of the Commencement awards.
William Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman, before presenting the most prestigious award, the Jeanette and James R. Clemens 3W4 Award for citizenship, leadership, and scholarship said, “On behalf of the entire board, congratulations on graduating. You are now on day 1,000 of your thousand-day journey. On top of the trade you learned, on top of the degree you earned, on top of the no debt, you have a brotherhood. I want you to remember, it all sits on top of the five core values – faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service. If you believe in these values that are now part of your DNA and if you live your life according to them on top of the other things I just mentioned, you are going to have an incredible life and there is no limit to what you can accomplish.”
He then presented the award to Alex Whiteman, who studied power plan technology, has a 4.0 GPA, zero disciplinary points, and was the Class of 2W4’s vice president. He also is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the IV Club, and, as a junior, received the Sons of the American Revolution’s Yearsley Award.
In his closing remarks, Rounds said, “Congratulations, 2W4, we are so proud of you. Eighty-four of you are graduating out of the 101 who started here in August 2021. That makes you the largest graduating class in the 130-plus-year history of Williamson. That’s awesome! This class also has the highest graduating percentage at just over 83%. This is the best graduating success rate we have ever had. Congratulations to you.”
He then mentioned the class’ gift to Williamson – the money to purchase three flag poles that are now a part of the Wesley Student Center complex. “Now when we have athletic events we can raise Old Glory, the United State’s flag, the Pennsylvania state flag, and the Williamson flag.”
He said, “Your class motto is ‘A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.’ That’s interesting because Williamson is not an easy place; it’s challenging and requires hard work. You realize that the only way to improve your skills is to sail for the rough waters and learn how to master them. Not too many men are capable of completing this program, but you came together as a class and accomplished that mission you started 1,000 days ago, to accomplish the requirements and leave here not just as Williamson graduates, but as Williamson men. We are confident that you are prepared to be successful and will carry forward the values of faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service in everything you do.
Rounds, O’Connor, Bonenberger, and Chris Moran 9W9, president of the Williamson Association of Alumni, then presented the associate in specialized technology degree to each senior. As they left the athletic field, each graduate, with diploma in hand, rang the Commencement Bell signifying he is now a Williamson alumnus.
Commencement began with the Artisans, under the leadership of Sherre Gaertner, singing the National Anthem and closed with the alma mater. Donald Dzedzy 7W4, representing his class as they celebrated their 50th anniversary of graduating from Williamson, opened the program with an invocation and insights from 50 years. Rev. Dr. Mark Specht 7W7, chaplain, closed the event with the benediction.
