By Lorenza Galella

After a pioneering 41-year career at Johnson & Wales University, President Emeritus Donald Grant McGregor, J.D., ’09 Hon. said his final farewell at the 16th Commencement on the North Miami Campus.

“When I started at JWU I could not dream that the university would come so far and that I would have had such a rewarding career,” he told classmates.

Speaking as the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, McGregor encouraged students — in words and song — to wholeheartedly pursue their own dreams and find personal and professional happiness. In his signature style, he advised students to stay focused despite this time of economic uncertainty.

“An important element of a positive attitude is optimism. When mining for gold, you must move a great deal of earth looking for those shiny little nuggets. Graduates, forget the dirt that may stir up from time to time and keep looking for those nuggets in your life,” McGregor said. “Be an optimist. Positive things happen to positive people.” Summoning images of a buzzard and a hummingbird, one looking for carcasses, the other nectar, he emphasized the outcome saying, “And you know, graduates, each gets exactly what it is looking for.”

Students listened intently as McGregor bestowed wisdom for pursuing greatness in all aspects of life. “Mac’s Recipe for Success” included an even mix of hard work and personal fulfillment, from the importance of seizing opportunities and the power of persistence to the value of having a true friend to depend on in times of need.

“You must also find balance in your life … [balance] that works for you in measuring your time and commitment to both personal and professional endeavors,” McGregor said.

On behalf of the students, Jomo Morris ’09, College of Culinary Arts graduate, spoke of his appreciation for his experience as a JWU student and reflected on lasting memories and relationships made possible by the common campus thread.

“Bridges help us journey from where we are to where we want to be. They serve as a pathway, a means over obstacles and a link to our futures. When we build bridges, we are visualizing goals, and through our thoughts and actions, creating a way to achieve them. Fellow graduates, your presence here is proof of your success,” Morris began.

Expressing his gratitude for the experiences that contributed to his development at JWU, Morris also recognized that the value of his education came not only from what he learned in the classroom, but also from the community he created with his friends and classmates.

“Personal touches are the elements that have helped to make our bridge special. I would like to thank you,” Morris said. “Today, construction is finished, our bridge is complete and we have walked to the other side.”

Walking “to the other side” along with McGregor, was Richard J. Kosh, Ph.D., ’09 Hon., also recipient of a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership for his 35 years with the university, most recently as university provost. Kosh served as a dean, senior vice president of academic affairs and vice president of the North Miami Campus. Working beside McGregor, the kind of true friend of whom the former president had spoken, Kosh contributed greatly to the early progress of the North Miami Campus.

Ceremonies took a musical turn as “Mac” had students dance and sing to a rousing chorus of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Hold on Tight to Your Dreams.”

North Miami Campus 16th Undergraduate Commencement, Miami Beach Convention Center

Total Degrees Awarded 672
College of Business 214
College of Culinary Arts 244
The Hospitality College 214
B.S. Degrees 384
A.S. Degrees 288

Honorary Degree Recipients
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Commencement Speaker)
Donald Grant McGregor, J.D., president emeritus, North Miami Campus, Johnson & Wales University, North Miami, Fla.

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Richard J. Kosh, Ph.D., university provost emeritus, Johnson & Wales University, Providence, R.I.