Convocation speaker shares "lessons learned" to inspire success among graduating students

Graduating seniors Griffin Rohr and Brian Ruiz were sitting side by side in a row of hundreds of chairs lined up inside Jersey Mike’s Arena waiting for the Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick Convocation to begin.

Rohr described college as a “long journey.” He graduated high school during the pandemic and took a year off before coming to Rutgers. Graduation, he said, was a "dream come true.” In the fall, he will begin a full-time job as a tax associate, and in the months leading up to work, he plans to study for the CPA.

Ruiz, a transfer student who is finishing his fifth year in college, was filled with relief after a final semester of difficult advanced classes. “Finally,” he said, “it’s over.” After graduation, Ruiz also has plans to start working full-time in CBIZ’s real estate practice in New York city. 

The two accounting majors were among 1,132 students participating in the convocation ceremony. The entire Class of 2025 for Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick was 1,334 students, a majority of whom majored in finance.

Mark Anquillare, former president & COO of Verisk Analytics and an MBA alumnus, delivered a convocation speech that offered the graduates warm advice  – "lessons learned" – to reflect on as they begin their careers and their adult lives. “I’ve learned that you’re a product of your experiences,” Anquillare said, “and today, I want to share five lessons learned from my business experiences.”

In his remarks, he spoke about the importance of being a good teammate, about being open to change and building networks. He also encouraged them to do the right thing and be a “forever learner.”

His words encouraged them to embrace the next step in their lives and make the most of it.

“As you enter the workforce, there is sometimes a concern called imposter syndrome where you feel you’re not as intelligent or competent as others perceive you to be. To be successful in your next chapter, you need a base level of intelligence – everyone here with their Rutgers degree has intellectual firepower and competence,” he said. “Embracing change will depend on your grit. It’s about perseverance, optimism and passion.”

“Embrace the new role, the new environment and new peers – and thrive,” he said.

Nora Hennessy, who majored in supply chain management, was reflecting on the changes she's preparing to make as the crowd gathered for convocation. After graduation, she’s headed to a Connecticut-based company to begin a rotational program that will give her exposure to sales, operations and other aspects of the business.

“It’s exciting,” she said, “It’s the start of my career. It’s the first time I’ll live on my own and the first time I’ll be away from New Jersey.”

In his remarks, Anquillare acknowledged that his audience was a generation skilled at building networks, particularly on social media, but he told them that cultivating relationships with a personal touch is equally important.

“Make choices that will make you proud,” he said. “Make decisions based on data, based on truth.”

He also encouraged the crowd of cap-and-gown clad students to give back. “Give back so the world becomes a better place,” he said.

The convocation ceremony was filled with touches that reflected the talent and the mark of the graduating students. Their classmate Sahana Harikrishnan sang the National Anthem, and a popular accounting professor, Natalia Jouan was selected – by a vote of the students – to receive the Thomas H. Mott Junior Award. The award is given for excellence in teaching.

Armaan Kazi, president of the Rutgers Business School Governing Association, told his classmates that everyone inside the arena – faculty, classmates, family, friends – “understand how hard you worked.”

“The people around you,” he said, “will become entrepreneurs, CEOs, leaders, role models.” 

And he urged them to thank their professors and parents, and then in a nod to the presence of AI everywhere, including college campuses, he added, “and Chat GPT – just kidding, just kidding,” he said.

-Susan Todd