A4 • Arizona Daily Wildcat
News • Wednesday, May 8, 2013
PetSmart CEO to take stage as commencement speaker maxwell j. mangold Arizona Daily Wildcat
The CEO of a national corporation will give the commencement speech at this year’s ceremony. Robert F. Moran, chairman and CEO of PetSmart, headlines as the commencement speaker at Friday’s undergraduate and master’s graduation ceremony. “I’m hoping that he’s someone who’s been successful in life and business and that he will be able to inspire the graduates and share some of that wisdom,” said Melissa Vito, vice president for student affairs. PetSmart, under Moran’s direction, has been a significant contributor to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The pet retailer established a $1 million endowment with the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing, in addition to being a longtime supporter of
the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences. Moran is currently a director of the USA Track & Field Foundation Board, in addition to his roles at PetSmart. Prior to his position as CEO, he served as president of North American stores for the corporation as well as chief operating officer. His past duties outside of the national pet retailer include president for Toys “R” Us Canada, in addition to numerous financial and merchandising positions with Sears, Roebuck and Company, one of which was as CEO of Sears de Mexico. Moran also worked internationally in Madrid from 1991 to 1993, as the chief financial officer and executive vice president of Galerias Preciados. The PetSmart CEO will address the 5,728 undergraduate students, 908 graduate students and four educational specialist
students graduating at Arizona Stadium. Moran will be recognized at the event with an honorary degree, after being nominated by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for his services to the college. “The University of Arizona awards honorary degrees in order to recognize significant achievements within the academic environment in the world at large,” said Heather Lukach, administrator of presidential events and visitor services, in an email. “These degrees provide the university with an opportunity to honor individuals for their contribution to the University of Arizona, the state, the nation or the world.” Although not a UA alumnus, Moran is a Villanova Wildcat and received a PHOTO courtesy of petsmart bachelor’s of science in accounting from the Robert F. Moran, chairman and CEO of PetSmart, Pennsylvania university in 1972. Moran was traveling and unavailable for will address graduating students as well as receive an honorary degree at spring commencement. comment.
Greek Life seniors celebrate experience
Kelsee Becker/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Josh Ruder (left), an economics senior and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, served as a role model to Patrick Weber, an engineering sophomore. Ruder is one of the many graduating members from Greek Life.
gained a lot of different skills that I will need after college.” Tarbox took the position of secretary her junior year, and has helped plan events like Homecoming and Spring Fling. Other Greek Life members also said that Greek Life was a significant experience in their
college careers. “The opportunity to lead through people who aren’t all the same, the ability to take these groups of people and convince them that what you think needs to get done, needs to get done, and finding the right path to convince them of that is, I think, a very valuable skill to have,”
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As graduating seniors bid farewell to campus, sorority and fraternity members reflect on their experiences in Greek Life. The UA’s warm weather, beautiful campus and energetic and active Greek community were all deciding factors for Blythe Tarbox, a communication senior from small-town Villanova, Pa., when she was choosing a college. “I didn’t know anyone when I came here,” said Tarbox, secretary of Chi Omega. “I decided that I should probably [rush] and then when I went through the process, it just seemed really honestly like a great fit … There were a lot of really nice girls and stuff like that. I saw the house and I really haven’t regretted it ever since.” Tarbox said her “little,” Ally Hellmich, has taught her that both mentor and mentee can learn from each other, regardless of age or what point in life they are at. The Big/Little program was one of the Greek Life experiences that Tarbox said has made the biggest difference in her college career. “I’ve met a lot of really great people and I’ve been able to do a lot of cool things and opportunities that I don’t think I would have had if I wasn’t in Greek Life,” Tarbox said. “I know from freshman year to senior year I’ve
said Josh Ruder, a senior studying physics and economics and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. “It’s not something that you come across very often. Having the opportunity to do that in PIKE through CATwalk is the experience that was easily the most valuable thing that I got out of the fraternity experience the past four years.” Ruder came to the UA from San Antonio and only knew one person from his high school here. He chose to become involved in Greek Life because he thought it would improve his education and give him a memorable college experience, he said. “Honestly, my time with PIKE has been the single most defining thing of my college experience,” Ruder said. “As much as I’ve learned through education, I think that stuff you learn outside the classroom is far more important for life experiences.” Ruder was responsible for being a role model to Patrick Weber, a systems engineering sophomore, member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Ruder’s little. Ruder said that over time, he and Weber became real friends, rather than just mentor and mentee. Ruder said a monumental experience, both for himself and as a way to bond with Weber, was the opportunity to plan CATwalk, a run to
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