By Lisa Pelosi

"We understood that a graduate degree was not optional to success as business or educational leaders, and by thinking big, we became graduate students," Evan Lemoine '09, '10 MBA, told fellow graduates during the 24th Commencement of the Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School and School of Education, held at Providence's Dunkin' Donuts Center.

At six feet nine inches, Lemoine towered over most of the graduates and faculty as a member of their academic procession. Last year he was chosen to be the student speaker at JWU's 2009 undergraduate commencement for the College of Business and School of Technology. Two degrees in two years, employed as a staff accountant at a Pawtucket, RI, accounting firm, preparing to sit for the CPA exam — he knows about thinking big.

"We should be willing to challenge the status quo, and do what we can to make an ordinary solution become extraordinary," Lemoine exhorted as he looked out at the faces in front of him. "Leaders don't follow certain paths; they are willing to risk everything by creating new paths to chase their dreams. Most importantly, they truly believe that these goals and dreams are possible with their determination."

"Dream the undreamt," Brother Thomas Puccio '00 EdD, encouraged the 30 doctoral candidates at an intimate gathering earlier in the day at the Providence Hilton Hotel. After years of research, writing and rewriting, the graduates have not only earned the right to have time to dream, but also to celebrate the highest academic achievement — the degree of doctor.

"It was not all pain — some of it was enjoyable," reminded Jeffrey Senese, PhD, Providence Campus vice president of academic affairs, drawing smiles from the graduates. "To start a doctoral program is daunting, but to finish is sublime."

One by one, Senese recognized each graduate by degree path, dissertation title and name of major advisor. Among them was Christine Perakslis, a faculty member in The Hospitality College who was advised by Professor Stacey Kite, DBA, '92, '94 MS, of the School of Education. Each graduate stood before the school's Dean Denise DeMagistris '03, EdD, who carefully placed the doctoral hood around the neck and over the shoulders of each.

Three hours later, wearing their newly acquired hoods, the doctoral candidates lead 279 master's degree candidates toward the Dunkin' Donuts Center stage. DeMagistris, graduate school Dean Frank Pontarelli, PhD, and members of the faculty beamed with pride as "Congrats Grads" and Mickey Mouse balloons swayed in the audience of families, friends and exuberant guests.

Providing a colorful backdrop to the proceedings was the United States flag alongside 24 others representing the home countries of graduates. The university's global orientation was evident in the roster of international students who came forward to receive their diplomas, and elegantly represented in honorary degree recipient Selim Gabriel El Zyr '10 Hon., co-founder, president and CEO of Rotana, the Middle East's first hotel management company, now with 67 properties in 12 countries.

"In 1965, when I first saw a luxurious hotel, the InterContinental Phoenicia in Beirut, I was simply bewitched: the colors, the car stopping at the front porch, the uniformed bell boys … the sights I saw in the hotel that day triggered my lifelong passion for the industry," El Zyr recalled. "As a child, I had a burning ambition and drive to be the best at whatever I did."

"The first job you take usually falls far below your expectations. It happens in every field and with us all," El Zyr told graduates. "Keep learning for the sake of learning, rather than learning to make good grades and academic honors. I am still learning. It is important for you to believe that you do not and will never know it all," he added.

"The Dunk's" JumboTron screen magnified the happiness and relief on the faces of graduates during the ceremonial recessional. Classes over, final papers handed in, degrees in hand, what's next for the Class of 2010? For many, catching up on their sleep.

Lemoine reminded fellow graduates, in the words of real estate magnate Donald Trump, "If you are going to be dreaming anything, you might as well dream big."

Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School and School of Education
24th Graduate Commencement, Dunkin' Donuts Center

Total Degrees Awarded 309
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership 30
Master of Arts in Teaching 22
Master of Business Administration 249
Master of Education 8

Honorary Degree Recipients
Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (Commencement Speaker)
Selim Gabriel El Zyr, President and CEO, Rotana Hotel Management Corp., Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Frank Paone, President Emeritus, Detroit College in Michigan