Graduates told to accept roles with humility, respect
This year’s Chadron State College graduates will encounter tremendous change as they enter the world of work, were urged to voluntarily give of their time and talents and advised to assume the leadership roles they will be hold with respect and humility.
The message was delivered by two alumni of the college Saturday (May 8). Jim Jacobs of Montgomery, Texas, a 1969 graduate who became an executive with a Fortune 500 company, spoke to those earning graduate degrees, and the Rev. Jim Krotz of Rushville, a 1970 graduate who served as bishop of the Nebraska Diocese of the Nebraska Episcopal Church 1989-2003, spoke at the ceremonies where bachelor’s degrees were conferred.
Jacobs said the jobs many of the graduates will hold in a few years haven’t been “invented.” He said great change will be a constant in each of their lives, and the grads should be ready to work long hours and weeks. He also said their skills in “relationship management” will be paramount.
“Handling employees will be one of your most important jobs. It isn’t as easy as you think,” said Jacobs, who in his final year with The Associates in 2000 was in charge of 1,800 employees living in 30 countries.
He also said people are not complete human beings unless they are willing to voluntarily assist others with their time, talents and resources.
Krotz told the graduates that by earning their degrees they are certified as being ready to assume a greater role of service and leadership than ever before, but he urged them to do so with humility and respect.
He said the graduates have the tools to engage today’s rapidly changing world with confidence, but should not be arrogant about their knowledge and skills.
Krotz said they will soon be encountering people who don’t look, think or talk like they do, but deserve to be treated with respect, because no one individual or system has all the answers. He noted that the mathematical system from which much of the technology in our advanced society depends was largely developed by Islamic scholars.
“Respect those who at first glance seem to be different from you,” Krotz advised. “I want the virtues of humility and respect to be in the hearts of those to whom we entrust power in the classroom, the board room and the halls of government.”
Krotz said he finds it difficult to forgive arrogance when it arises from a culture as wealthy, well-educated and powerful as our own. He added that while today’s graduates must continue to grow intellectually, they should also continue to practice humility and respect.
Twenty-six members of the Krotz family from Sheridan County have attended Chadron State, including Janet Krotz of Hay Springs, one of this year’s graduates.
Category: Campus News, Commencement