JWU Family Connection | Providence Campus, Commencement 2018

jwufamily connection

PROVIDENCE CAMPUS

Commencement 2018

“Today marks a new chapter in our lives, a chapter for which we’ve already written the plot line.”

NORTH MIAMI

DENVER

CHARLOTTE

This is a publication of Johnson & Wales University specifically created for families and designated contacts of JWU students.

JWU COMMENCEMENT

Class of 2018 How far would you go to chase your dreams? Aimee Tran ’18, the 2018 student commencement speaker for the morning ceremony, travelled 8,792 miles from her home in Saigon, Vietnam, to begin the voyage of education and exploration at Johnson & Wales University. The result: a bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Lodging Management and a Sommelier minor.

Aimee Tran ’18, morning commencement ceremony student speaker

With her family watching her address via live stream, Tran, who was hired by Equity Residential in New York City, recalled her journey, using courage and ambition as fuel.

“All the ups and downs, all the lessons have transformed us into wiser, stronger, incredible individuals who are capable of conquering the world,” she said. “Continue to build your legacies, chase your wildest dreams and bravely fight for what you believe in.”

As the anticipation grew for the moment the Class of 2018 had worked so hard toward, Providence Campus President Mim L. Runey, LP.D., declared them ready for the real world beyond JWU. “You embody the determination and grit that defines a Johnson & Wales student,” she said.

“Pursue your dreams and follow your passions.”

John E. Taylor Jr., executive chairman of the board, Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc., delivered the commencement address to the graduates from the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, College of Engineering & Design, and College of Hospitality Management.

“Be willing to take risks and ventures to uncomfortable, unknown places — geographically and intellectually,” he advised. “Leverage this great education you’ve received here to its maximum potential.” Taylor and Thomas L. Dwyer, JWU executive vice president and former vice chancellor, were also awarded honorary doctorates of business administration.

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

Walt Disney, that universal icon of innovation, had a starring role at the Providence Campus’ afternoon commencement ceremony.

Mari N. Bisienere, a senior vice president with Walt Disney World, delivered the keynote address to the graduates of the College of Culinary Arts and the College of Hospitality Management Food Service Management program.

Josephine Wolfe ’18, “Mine is a company of storytellers,” afternoon commencement she noted, as she began the tale ceremony student speaker of its humble beginnings. “It is 95 years ago — Los Angeles. A In addition to Bisienere, Paul O’Reilly, president young man, about the age of most in this and chief executive officer, Newport Harbor class, is getting off a train.” That man, she Corporation, received an honorary doctorate revealed, was Walt Disney; armed only with his of business administration, notably for his determination and grit, $40 and a few items savvy business acumen and commitment to the in a suitcase, he traveled from Chicago to Los highest hospitality standards.

Angeles where his story unfolded into the Bisienere’s career trajectory brings to life empire we know today.

Disney’s theme that dreams really do come Similarly, determination and grit are defining true. In addition, she offered three seemingly attributes of a JWU student, like student simple tips, each grounded in her own commencement speaker Josephine Wolfe ’18, experience: who also has a Disney connection. In pursuit 1. Don’t surrender — thrive. of a bachelor’s degree in Baking & Pastry Arts 2. Fall in love. and Food Service Management, she interned at 3. Embrace change. the Walt Disney World Resort. As she wrapped Then, she thanked the audience for their up her presentation, she predicted, “Today’s gracious attention, turned the page, and said, commencement marks a new chapter in our “May you all live — happily ever after.” lives, a chapter for which we’ve already written

the plot line.”

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

COMMENCEMENT VIDEOS Commencement 2018 Highlights

Best Advice for First-Year Students

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

MORNING COMMENCEMENT GALLERY

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

AFTERNOON COMMENCEMENT GALLERY

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

COMMENCEMENT STATS Total Degrees Awarded: 3,138 Includes fall 2017, winter 2018 and expected spring 2018 graduates; does not include summer 2018 graduates.

NORTH MIAMI CAMPUS

PROVIDENCE CAMPUS Total Undergraduate Degrees Awarded John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences College of Business College of Culinary Arts College of Hospitality Management College of Engineering & Design

1,608 146 443 269 664 86

Bachelor’s Degrees Associate Degrees

1,444 164

Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speaker, morning ceremony John E. Taylor Jr., executive chairman of the board, Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. (speaker) Thomas L. Dwyer, executive vice president and former vice chancellor, Johnson & Wales University Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speaker, afternoon ceremony Maribeth N. Bisienere, senior vice president of parks and security, Walt Disney World (speaker) Paul F. O’Reilly, president and chief executive officer, Newport Harbor Corporation Total Graduate Degrees Awarded Doctoral Degrees (EdD) Graduate Degrees (MBA, MAT, MS, MSPAS)

374 17 357

Total Degrees Awarded John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences College of Business College of Culinary Arts College of Hospitality Management

263 14 58 64 127

Bachelor’s Degrees Associate Degrees

205 58

Honorary Degree Recipient and Commencement Speaker Maria A. Sastre, former president and chief operating officer, Signature Flight Support

DENVER CAMPUS Total Undergraduate Degrees Awarded John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences College of Business College of Culinary Arts College of Hospitality Management

248 24 54 91 101

Bachelor’s Degrees Associate Degrees

180 68

Total Graduate Degrees Awarded

22

Honorary Degree Recipient and Commencement Speaker Marco Antonio Abarca, president and owner, Ready Foods Inc.

Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speaker, graduate ceremony Laura Freid, EdD, president, Maine College of Art (speaker) Joseph R. Beretta, president and chief financial officer, Robinson Green Beretta Corp.

CHARLOTTE CAMPUS ONLINE CAMPUS Total Degrees Awarded

239

Bachelor’s Degrees Graduate Degrees (MBA, MS)

84 155

CLASS OF 2018 JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

Total Degrees Awarded John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences College of Business College of Culinary Arts College of Hospitality Management

384 1 119 88 176

Bachelor’s Degrees Associate Degrees

296 88

Honorary Degree Recipient and Commencement Speaker Dennis L. Thompson, founder and co-chairman of the board, Firebirds International LLC

NORTH MIAMI

JWU COMMENCEMENT

Class of 2018 Faith, love, gratitude and lots of laughter were the driving forces of military veteran, wife, mother of four and now JWU graduate Jessica Tabbert’s journey to a degree — a journey that ended as she crossed the stage at the North Miami Campus’ 2018 commencement ceremony. Like Tabbert, many of the graduates celebrated the occasion as they reflected on the challenges experienced along the way.

During her 16 years of service in Jessica Tabbert ’18 with her family the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Tabbert was frequently asked to “There will be times that will truly test your plan military ceremonies, galas, trainings and resilience and patience, and challenge your fundraisers. “When it was time to transition ability to stay on your personal journey,” Sastre out of the service, I knew I wanted to become said. “Develop a personal compass to navigate a professional event planner, and the sports, your journey. To start, identify your true dream, entertainment and event management degree focus on achieving it, write it down, visualize at Johnson & Wales seemed like a perfect fit.” it and write down the goals you set to achieve Tabbert was no stranger to hard work and sacrifice. From balancing family life to managing classwork, she remained involved on campus while launching her business, J. Gisele.

Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Maria A. Sastre, who has held several senior-level executive positions in the cruise and aviation industries, served as a source of inspiration to the graduates.

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

that dream.”

As the graduates marched out of the ceremony, Sastre’s closing words were more than a source of encouragement — they were a charge: “Go conquer the world, Wildcats!”

JWU COMMENCEMENT

DENVER

Class of 2018 The Denver Performing Arts Center’s Boettcher Concert Hall provided the perfect ambiance to house the excitement and pride of more than 3,000 people for the Denver Campus commencement ceremony. The traditional bagpiper led the procession of 270 students into the hall, followed by a special performance of the national anthem by JWU student Elizabeth Colts, who sang to honor her husband who is serving as a Marine.

accomplishments show: graduating from Stanford Law School, taking over his family business, and eventually launching Ready Foods, now employing nearly 260 people.

“I would love to tell you that there is some magic secret to becoming successful in both business and life,” he said. “There really isn’t. Yes, intelligence is important, and luck can also play an important role, but to be honest, the core to living a rewarding life is being mature, disciplined and hardworking.”

Student speaker Charlotte Charlotte Simmons ’18, commencement Simmons ’18 shared the ceremony student speaker story of her challenges and Logan Taylor ’10, a well-known successes, including her member of the Denver community and senior recent acceptance into a graduate program manager of event operations at a luxury travel at Columbia University. “Yes, we are smart company, welcomed the new graduates into enough and yes, we can do this regardless of JWU’s alumni network. Taylor read from his obstacles,” she said. “Let’s work together to 15-foot scroll of life lessons, beginning with be professionals and people who support and #522. “Cherish the little moments and the big encourage the generations after us to follow moments,” he said. “Take pictures. Laugh. their dreams however insurmountable they Enjoy the company of those around you, and may seem and use their voices even when the try to enjoy every day — yes, EVERY day. Excuse world wants to silence them.” me while I take a quick selfie,” which he did.

Honorary degree recipient Marco Antonio With smiles, cheers, laughter and tears, the Abarca, president and owner of Ready Foods class of 2018 was sent forth to make an impact Inc., delivered this year’s commencement on the world and to continue sharing the address. Abarca “walks the walk” as his Wildcat Way.

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

JWU COMMENCEMENT

CHARLOTTE

Class of 2018 Bailie McEntire ’18 remembers crying as a first-year student. She was 500 miles from her home and terrified. “All I could think was how alone I was and how was I possibly going to get through the next four years,” she said. “That day, I decided I was either going to have to hide in my room for the remainder of college or get outside my comfort zone.”

McEntire took center stage for her role as student speaker inside Spectrum Arena during the Charlotte Campus’ commencement ceremony. “I made a choice to go to a meeting on campus for Study Abroad and by chance met Bailie McEntire ’18, commencement ceremony student speaker a student who was involved with the learned that what is most important is to focus Student Alumni Association (SAA). I am so on working in a culture where you are happy thankful for my choice to attend that meeting and enjoy your work, but also leave time for because being a member of SAA truly shaped family, friends and relationships.” my time at JWU.” Dennis Thompson, founder and co-chairman of the board of Firebirds International LLC, delivered this year’s commencement address and was the recipient of an honorary doctorate of business administration. He zeroed in on teamwork as he shared his experiences developing his own restaurants.

“Just remember, you cannot do it all,” said Thompson. “Focus on your talents, and learn to work as a team with others. After many years in the restaurant business, I have

JWU Family Connection | Commencement 2018

As Charlotte Campus President Tarun Malik announced that it was time to turn their tassels, cheers erupted. The class of 2018 proudly filed out of the arena, celebrating a new beginning.