12/15/2009
from staff
The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the friends and family of the more than 300 students who received their degrees at Jacksonville University’s annual fall commencement ceremony Saturday.
Keynote speaker Preston Haskell III, founder and chairman of The Haskell Company, spoke to graduates about how the world has changed since they entered the university.
“You’re entering a world which is quite different from when you matriculated,” said Haskell. “All of you will have opportunities and challenges on the global, national and local levels to respond to the complexities these changes represent.”
He also talked to graduates and their families about the changes that need to be made to fix the current state of the economy and the environment on both the global and local stages.
“I hope many of you will stay in this community and think of ways to improve the city and commit your resources,” said Haskell. “JU has a history of bringing more of you into Jacksonville than sending from it.”
He closed with a directive for students to push themselves to create change to enhance their world.
“I hope I’ve given you a small glimpse of the complicated world you are entering that has changed so much,” said Haskell. “I challenge you to use your talents, insight and intellect to make a better world, a better nation and a better city.”
An honorary doctor of humane letters was conferred on Haskell.
“When I arrived in Jacksonville, I was told there were four or five people I had to meet,” said Jacksonville University President Kerry Romesburg. “Preston Haskell was one of them. He is such a leader — for art, for education, for business — it is an honor to have him with us today.”
Haskell graduated with honors from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1960. He earned a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1962.
The graduates included 272 undergraduates receiving bachelor’s degrees. Of those, 139 are nursing students. Master’s degrees will be bestowed on 35 graduate students, including 25 in business administration, six in nursing and two in education.
Fanya Sabrina DeJesus received a standing ovation when Romesburg brought her back up to the stage to acknowledge that she had not only earned her master’s of nursing degree, but also her Masters of Business Administration.
The University’s Navy ROTC Program commissioned one officer, Patrick Gibbons. JU’s NROTC program also serves students at the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville.
