University of La Verne President
Devorah Lieberman, distinguished
guests, and peer leaders shared advice with graduates over two days
in five commencement ceremonies held May
26 and 27.
LA
VERNE, Calif., June 2, 2023
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- "This is your time. Make every moment count.
Think big. Accomplish much. And always give back." These were just
a few pieces of advice President Devorah
Lieberman, distinguished guests and peer leaders shared with
the more than 1,600 University of La
Verne graduates over two days in five commencement
ceremonies held May 26 and 27 at
Ortmayer Stadium on the historic La Verne campus.
Keynote speakers included United States Department of
Education Under Secretary James Kvaal; California
State Senator Susan Rubio; President
of the American Council on Education Ted Mitchell; San
Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Lisa
Rogan; and President-elect of the Society of Neurological
Surgeons and University of La Verne Board of Trustees Member
Kim Burchiel. Kvaal, Rubio, Mitchell, and Burchiel received
honorary doctorates from the university.
This year's commencement marked the inaugural one for the
College of Health and Community Well-Being, but the final
one for Lieberman, who will be retiring this summer, ending a
remarkable 12-year tenure as the institution's leader. College
deans and guests thanked her.
Lieberman told graduates that this was their time
to celebrate and asked them to feel free to make some noise.
She also reminded them that every academic year she asks incoming
students to major in a mission. She asked them to think again about
their mission in life. Ona Nwachie,
who earned a master's degree in child life, screamed with
excitement. Lieberman asked what her mission was.
"To change the world," shouted Nwachie.
Lieberman smiled and invited Nwachie's family to a VIP section
to see their graduate walk.
"Hold on to that mission and vision—stay focused on the legacy
you want to create," Lieberman said, addressing all
graduates.
Encouragement to impact and transform lives was weaved
throughout speeches.
Under Secretary Kvaal asked LaFetra
College of Education graduates to remember three lessons of
leadership.
"Treat others with humility and you will learn from them,
maintain clarity and you will motivate them, remind others who
they're serving, and you will inspire them," he said. "You will
mold future generations and shape communities in ways that you
can't fully imagine. In your classrooms, you'll maybe have a
future secretary of education, a famous inventor, an award-winning
author, a future teacher. You won't fully know it at the time, but
you are going to change lives and you are going to change the
world."
Meanwhile, the Honorable Rogan, JD '01, shared three mile
markers that would help College of Law graduates succeed in life –
happiness, hard work, failure and character. She recommended that
graduates make character a priority or first success as it would
define their reputation.
"Character is so strong an indicator that it is often
inadmissible at trial. It is unduly prejudicial, it simply says too
much," she said. "When you are in any situation, civility must be
at the forefront. This will be your signature, the most
important aspect that you will carry forward throughout your
career. The way you do anything is the way you do
everything."
Senator Rubio shared how a series of challenging experiences
shaped her future in becoming a strong, resilient leader.
"Anything you set your eyes on, you can achieve no matter where
you come from, your current circumstance, your financial status and
the list goes on and on," she said. "The possibilities are
endless."
At the end of each ceremony, it is a University of La Verne tradition to move the
graduation tassel from your head to your heart and officially
become Leos for Life, joining the more than 89,000 alumni
worldwide.
"Keep the light of your intellectual curiosity burning brightly.
I have confidence that each of you has a limitless capacity for
positive contributions to the world," said Lieberman. "We, at the
University, along with your family and friends, are tremendously
proud of each of you."
Congratulations to the class of 2023! Watch the recording of all
ceremonies at laverne.edu/commencement/livestream.
Media Contact
Alexandra Clayton, University of La Verne, 909-448-4359,
aclayton@laverne.edu
Jamie Ayala, University of La Verne, 909-448-4999,
jayala3@laverne.edu
SOURCE University of La Verne