Connections

The following is President John Davies' Convocation Address to Business School's graduating class of 2008.

Members of the platform party, honoured guests, members of the faculty and staff, and, of course today, most importantly, our graduates. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this convocation.

Celebrations like this one today, one of ten such celebrations that many of us on the Humber team are attending this week, are the highlight of the academic year because today we celebrate the achievements of the students who will become successful graduates of Humber within the next two hours.

Today is not only a celebration of academic achievement on behalf of our graduates, but also of perseverance, hard work and friendship. It is also a celebration of excellent teaching and I want to congratulate the faculty, here today, and the staff members at Humber who support them in so many ways, for your outstanding contributions to the successful achievements that we celebrate today. It is also a celebration of the power of support, and I want to recognize and thank all of you who are here today who have provided that support and encouragement, in whatever form, to the graduates. To the parents, grand-parents, brothers, sisters, children, other family members and friends - thank you for the important roles that you have played in helping our graduates to this successful culmination here today.

I am sure that the graduates have already told you how appreciative they are for all of the help and encouragement that you have provided along the way - but just in case it has slipped their minds, I would encourage all of the graduates not to let today go by without those important expressions of thanks. It is a great day for saying ‘thank you' - repeats are also in order today!

Today's graduates at Humber, and those graduating from postsecondary institutions across Canada in the early summer weeks, are indeed a very privileged group. Not only do they have the great good fortune to live in this wonderful country, either by birth or, like me and so many others here today, by choice, but you have also put yourselves in a very privileged position by being part of today's graduating class.

In Ontario, only fifty per cent of students leaving high school go on to postsecondary education, and fewer succeed as graduates as you have. Your success today puts you in the top thirty per cent of those seeking employment and beginning their careers in today's market place. Ninety three per cent of Humber's students are employed within six months of graduation, the highest rate of any of the GTA colleges. But you, as graduates, also have the great good fortune to be graduating at a time of mounting skill shortages all across Canada and well beyond. Trained, capable and willing workers will, in the next decade, be in very high demand. And although this fact perhaps does not bode so well for the Canadian economy, and although particular sectors such as manufacturing in Ontario are hurting, the inevitable demographics driving the exodus from the workforce of the aging baby boomers will exacerbate the shortage of skilled workers already being experienced in many regions of Canada. CEOs across the country rank the growing skills shortage as their number one challenge today - and while we have lots of work to do in Canada to engage those who are not participating in skills development, for you, today's graduates, there are great opportunities. Take every advantage of this situation that you can - there has not been a time like this in Canada for several decades.

It is customary at this time for presidents to offer the graduates some sage advice, but standing as I do between our graduates and the opportunity for them to receive their diplomas, certificates or degrees, you will be pleased to hear that I will keep this advice short.

First, take one hundred per cent responsibility for your own life. Although there will inevitably be times in your future careers that will be influenced by fortune or chance, sometimes good, sometimes not, undoubtedly over the long haul, it is what you aspire to, what you are willing to do, what you work toward that will determine your future success. Live a purposeful life. Try to find something that you have a passion for, and do it to the very best of your ability.

Second, do everything you can to improve your skills. This may well bring you back to postsecondary education, either next year or in the future. But take advantage of any opportunities that arise in the work place. Today's economy is driven by knowledge - keep improving in this respect, and your future will be much more likely to unfold in ways that you would prefer.

And, finally, find some way to give back. As I said earlier, you are a very privileged group. You have undoubtedly worked hard for your success, but with this success comes, I think, an enhanced obligation to reach out to those less fortunate. There are so many ways to do this. Find some that will fit into your lifestyle. Not only will you contribute to enriching the lives of others - you will certainly, in this endeavour, enrich yourself.

My very best wishes and congratulations to our graduates - may your future be all that you hope it will be. Come back and visit us - you will always be welcome at Humber.

Congratulations!