The sun shone bright on the thousands of friends and family members gathered at Whittier College’s Memorial Stadium to celebrate nearly 400 ecstatic members of the graduating class of 2016. Candidates for master’s and bachelor’s degrees listened intently to the advice of U.S. Cabinet member Maria Contreras-Sweet who encouraged graduates to find their voice and "unique value proposition" that will propel them to success in their professional and personal life.
Contreras-Sweet, known as an experienced banker, entrepreneur, and business woman, became the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Barack Obama’s cabinet in 2014. As the leader of the SBA, she is charged with supporting America’s small businesses, which create nearly two out of three net, new private-sector jobs in our economy and employ half of our nation’s private-sector workforce.
Before delivering her keynote address Contreras-Sweet became an honorary Poet, as she was conferred with a doctorate of humane letters (L.H.D.) by the College and presented by Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger and Professor of Business Administration Lana Nino.
“Today, I want to talk to you a businesswoman, the voice of entrepreneurship in President Obama’s cabinet … and as a mother,” said Contreras-Sweet to the graduates. “One thing is for sure: You can’t possibly know what will happen next. Life is like that … full of surprises. Despite this, the wind is at your back now. You’re living in the epicenter of the 21st century global economy. Because of that, you are a harbinger of things to come.”
Student speaker Shane Francis '16 also took the stage and congratulated his fellow classmates.
“For many of us, we have had the unconditional support of our family and peers,” said the Carlsbad, CA native. “Some of us have had less. For many of us, our academic barrier was often external to our own abilities. But whether that barrier took the form of financial troubles, family obligations, or simply poor luck, this day is for us,” said Francis, who will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall to pursue a master’s in health economics.
In her charge to the class of 2016 President Herzberger praised the many accomplishments of the graduates sitting before her and challenged them to make the most of their Whittier education.
“As you leave this place, I charge you to remember the values you have assimilated at the College," said Herzberger. "And I charge you to use fully all of the talents and wisdom you collected here. Remember that just as we have been privileged to know you, you were privileged to attend Whittier College. And never forget those who started you on your way.”
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