2023

CBS2’S JOHN ELLIOTT RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE, ENCOURAGES GRADUATES TO REFINE THE HABITS THAT HELPED THEM SUCCEED

“Your destiny is waiting. We need you, so do us a favor, get there, and matter,” CBS2 New York meteorologist John Elliott told graduates at Caldwell University’s 81st commencement ceremony May 21.

Sister Donna Ciangio, O.P., vice chair of the Board of Trustees, presented an honorary degree to Elliott on behalf of the University.

“When you’re born you look like your parents; when you die you look like your habits … habits will form you, so I want to encourage you to keep and help refine the habits that helped you succeed,” said Elliott

The Emmy award-winning host shared with graduates some lessons he learned outside the classroom. “Don’t beat up on yourself if you don’t know what you want to do right now. Pray every day; keep moving in the direction of your dreams … Pivots can be painful, but strive to make them productive. Embrace them and remember them. They can make you very interesting at parties … Don’t let people put you into boxes … Keep an open mind … and never stop learning.”

Your destiny is waiting …

President Matthew Whelan, Ed.D., encouraged the graduates to seek personal and vocational fulfillment. “Do not be defined by what you do. Instead, be defined by who you are. Don’t just have a job. Have a vocation, a craft, a calling.”

Graduating senior Raul Gonzalez delivered the undergraduate speech, reflecting on how it has become “second nature” for Caldwell students to care about giving back while uplifting one another along the way. “From volunteering at Caldwell Day of Service, rubbing elbows while packing meals, to taking pride in our school’s history on Founder’s Day and learning about the ministry that shaped the lives of so many here at Caldwell, we the students value civic and service leadership.” Caldwell “is a melting pot of various kinds of students who unquestionably will be the leaders of tomorrow,” said Gonzalez, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and was the Student Government Association president.

Henrietta K. Genfi, Ph.D., associate dean of academic support at the University, delivered the graduate ceremony remarks. She recalled the unexpected difficulties she faced during her graduate studies including the pandemic and the death of her beloved mother. Other graduates, she said, also had to “endure competing priorities,” but they overcame obstacles and completed their degrees. During her studies, she relied on a support system of several people including her husband and mother, who she said “is in heaven telling all her heaven friends that her daughter is a doctor.” Genfi received a doctoral degree in educational leadership. She shared her life lessons including that things don’t always go according to plan, that you should never underestimate what you are capable of and that you should “surround yourself with people who actively root for your success … obstacles do not need to be dead ends … and once you have finished your degree, all of a sudden, you are expected to contribute to household chores again.”

Dr. Whelan presented doctoral students with their Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s, graduate students with their Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science and Master of Science in Nursing degrees, and undergraduates with their Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. 🟥