California Commencement Ceremony: A Day of Celebration and Dreams Fulfilled
Union Institute & University California Commencement Ceremony was a day of jubilance as over 140 adults received their diplomas and joined Union’s legacy to engage, enlighten, and empower in a lifetime of learning, service, and social responsibility.
President Roger H. Sublett addressed the statewide Californian graduates at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento. He congratulated the adult learners on fulfilling the dream of obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree. He reminded them that many are the first in their families to graduate from college, fulfilling the dreams held over generations by your parents and grandparents.
Before Dr. Sublett began the keynote, he was honored by the Chair of Union’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Roger Allbee, for his dedicated 16 years of service to Union and well wishes for his retirement in June 2018.
Dr. Sublett’s keynote revolved around three themes: Confidence, Creativity, and Leadership.
He urged the new graduates to have confidence in themselves and their ability to make a difference in their career and personal life and to commit to the basic principles of Do No Harm, Make Things Better, Respect Others, Be Fair, and Be Loving.
He reminded the new alums that the human mind is amazing. He pressed them to be creative and use the power of their mind to use their creative genius to improve the world in which they serve.[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Dr. Sublett urged each of the commencers to embrace themselves as leaders and to provide ethical leadership – leadership that restores faith and trust in the possibilities and the human condition.
Highlights included:
- The honor of the sixth Mark Dunakin Memorial Award for Extraordinary Achievement recipient was given to Sergeant Orrlando Mayes of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for his thoughtful approach and his desire to go above and beyond in everything he does.
- The posthumous degree of James Patrick McCarthy was accepted by his mother, Mary Kay Watson. Deputy McCarthy tragically lost his life in April in an accident at the age of 40. He earned his degree in December of 2016. Mrs. Watson was grateful that her son was recognized. She noted that her son loved serving the community and he would have been very proud to receive his diploma.
- Recognition of 21 veterans who were members of the 2017 graduation class
- The Grand Marshal was Glenn Cadwell, the Northern California Coordinator Supervisor.
Union’s next commencement ceremony will be the National Commencement on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati. For questions regarding the National Commencement, please call 513-487-1217.