What is the impact of a transformational education from a school that was ranked 8th in the nation for upward mobility? 835 peacocks are about to find out. The newly graduated Saint Peter’s University Class of 2018, consisting of 507 undergraduate, 315 graduate and 13 doctoral students will soon make their mark on the world.
“Fake it ’till you make it,” joked Valedictorian Patrick Joseph Cayabyab Caoile ’18.
These graduates have certainly made it, with a majority of them moving on to careers or graduate school.
Denise Morrison, retired president and chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Company, gave the commencement address, which focused on life lessons learned from her father, Dennis Sullivan ’53, a graduate of Saint Peter’s.
Her father, who had four daughters, “saw the future” in a time where there were not many females in the business world.
“With the benefit of hindsight, I recognize that growing up in the Sullivan household was a boot camp in leadership,” Morrison said.
She segued into lessons she learned from her father: the importance of team, keep learning, have a plan and be prepared to lead and shatter the glass ceiling.
Morrison received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa. In addition, the University bestowed an honorary degree upon John B. Wilson, Esq. ’70, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (AICUNJ), and president of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ).
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