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“You Are the Light of the World” Commencement Speaker Tells Grads
 

GREENSBORO – High Point businessman and philanthropist Nido R. Qubein told students graduating from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro that their lives will be defined by challenges, champions and choices.

“Challenge yourself to welcome change,” he told more than 1,800 students gathered with family and friends in the Greensboro Coliseum Friday. “Challenge yourself to give. Challenge yourself to grow. Pick your champions carefully. Make your choices wisely.”

“At the end of the day, graduates, you are the light of the world.”

His largely extemporaneous remarks, which included quotes from Aristotle, John Wesley and Winston Churchill, elicited a lengthy ovation from the jubilant crowd.

Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan welcomed students and their families. Michelle Leigh Keller of Spartansburg, S.C., spoke on behalf of the Class of 2003, and Timothy Michael Farris of Kernersville served as tassel-turner.

Qubein urged the students to help others. “Challenge yourself to give, not to give back, but merely to give. Just like the parents in this coliseum have loved you. They didn’t love you because you loved them back. They loved you even sometimes when you were unloveable.”

He shared insights learned from his mother, who only had a fourth-grade education, but nonetheless was his “champion” or role model.

“You and I must always through life pick our champions carefully. Who you spend time with is precisely who you become. Select your heroes, your models and your mentors with care.

“If you want to be happy, hang around happy people. If you want to be successful, be in the midst of successful people. If you want to be smart, surround yourself with smart people.’”

  Born in Lebanon in 1948, Qubein came to America in 1966 with only $50 and without knowing English. He graduated from Mt. Olive College and High Point University and received his master’s degree from the Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNCG. In 1999, he received the Bryan School’s first Distinguished Alumni Award.

He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Creative Services Inc., an international management consulting firm based in High Point. His philanthropy includes a foundation that has provided more than $2 million in scholarships.

This year’s commencement starts a new tradition for UNCG. In the past, the May event was held on a Sunday, often Mother’s Day. The day was changed in order to avoid interfering with Mother’s Day and religious services.

The University conferred more than 1,800 degrees, including more than 1,200 bachelor’s degrees, more than 500 master’s degrees and 43 doctorates. The University allowed August graduates to march in commencement this year.

An honorary doctorate was awarded to Jaylee Montague Mead, who graduated from The Woman’s College in 1951. Mead had a 33-year career with NASA as a mathematician, an astronomer and an administrator.

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