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2015 Commencement Address by William J. Pesce '73

William J. Pesce ‘73

Address by William J. Pesce ‘73
Retired President and CEO, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Member, William Paterson University Board of Trustees

William Paterson University Commencement

May 13, 2015

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Thank you, Kathy. This is my definition of a good time.  Today, we are honoring the next generation of leaders—the Class of 2015. 

I encourage the graduates to take a moment—look around this arena.  All these people are here because we believe you’re special.  We believe you’ve earned the opportunity to live your dreams.

Please don’t take for granted the privilege we share being together in this place, at this time.  Moments like this become cherished memories when shared with people you love and respect.

So, in addition to celebrating your accomplishments, we are also acknowledging the invaluable support provided by family, friends, professors, and mentors.

I’d like to begin by responding to two questions:  Who am I?  And why am I here?

While I’ve had many fancy titles in my life—President, CEO, Director, Trustee—those titles don’t define me; never have, never will.

So, who am I?  I’m the proud son of a plumber with a 3^rd grade education.  My Dad was functionally illiterate, barely able to write his name.  He never read a newspaper or novel. 

He was so proud the day he bought my first fountain pen.  My Dad sat with me for hours at the kitchen table, where important events happen in an Italian home, fascinated that his son could read and write.  My Dad’s dream was for me to represent the first generation of our family to graduate from college. 

He died suddenly in 1974, almost exactly one year after he hugged me, with tears of joy in his eyes, at my college graduation ceremony.  My Dad died knowing his dream had been realized and, as a result, my dreams were just beginning.

Would all the parents, grandparents, and family members of our graduates, please stand?  As I look at you, I vividly recall the expression on my Dad’s face when I graduated.  Let’s show our appreciation to all these special people who have supported our graduates.

Fast forward from my graduation day through four decades—a period of time in which my life progressed from Palisades Amusement Park, where I worked when I was 14 years old, to paving roads in Bergen County, to stocking shelves in a supermarket in my hometown of Fairview.

To a commuter student at William Paterson University, to NYU, and ultimately to president and CEO of one of the world’s most respected publishing companies.

It was a long time ago when my net worth consisted of $500, a 1966 Chevy with 200,000 miles, two boxes of books, one box of clothes, and an old drum set.

Much has changed in my life, but I’ve never forgotten where I came from: humble beginnings that shaped me as a human being and a leader.  Frankly, when I was a young boy, it was unimaginable I’d be standing before you today, as a commencement speaker.  Unimaginable!!!

I’ve shared some highlights of my personal journey because I believe this is not only my story.  I believe this is our story. 

Many of us are the first in our families to graduate from college.  That’s a badge of honor.  This is our story.

Many of us paved roads, swept floors, stocked shelves, served food, and performed clerical functions to finance our education.  This is our story.

Many of us commuted back and forth to campus—to our jobs and homes—in cars that had too many miles on them.  This is our story.

Many of us had those moments when we lacked self-confidence or wondered:  Do I belong here?

I’ve had many of those moments.  During the spring of 1969, I was on campus for an admissions interview.  I wondered:  Will they accept me?  Do I belong here?

During my first day in the MBA program at NYU Stern another student, who graduated from a prestigious university, asked where I went to college.  When I responded, he smirked in a condescending way.  I wondered:  Did I belong here?

In the spring of 1974, I interviewed for an internship at a major pharmaceutical company on Park Avenue in New York.  I didn’t own a suit, so I wore my best pants and a sports jacket, the same outfit I had worn for years to weddings and funerals. 

The corporate offices were unlike any place I had ever been—priceless artwork, Italian marble, and beautiful oriental rugs.  I wondered:  Did I belong here?

It took awhile for me to realize that no one could make me feel like I belonged.  Only I could do that for myself.

Well, William Paterson did accept me and I graduated with honors.  I earned my MBA at NYU, while serving as a graduate research assistant.  I secured the internship on Park Avenue and I bought my first suit that summer.

I proved to myself that I belonged.  And, you can do it, too.  Your family background is your DNA.  Be proud of your humble beginnings.  This is our story.  And, this is your time.

So, why am I here?  I’m here because today is my birthday.  I thought it would be awesome to share it with 10,000 of my closest friends.  You can give me your presents when you receive your diploma. 

Actually, I’m here because education has had a profound influence on my life.  As many of you know, there is a growing income inequality gap in America.  As college graduates, you can help to close that gap—for yourselves, for your family, for future generations of students. Support William Paterson University.  Stay connected.  Be engaged.  Help deserving students with internships, mentoring, and scholarships.  Education changes lives.  It changed my life.  It will continue to change your lives.  This is our story.  And, this is your time.

I’m here to inspire you to live the life you’ve imagined.  Inspire you to make a difference in the lives of others.  Inspire you to pursue your dreams with pride, passion, and conviction.  You are beacons of hope for the future.  This is our story.  And, this is your time.

As you know, there’s a slogan that captures one of the core values of William Paterson University.  It’s on brochures, the website, and advertising on major highways.  Let me hear you say it:  Will.Power.

Today, we stand on the rock solid foundation built by our ancestors.  They transformed dreams into reality through hard work and strong values, not entitlement.  As a result of their perseverance and yours, we share the privilege of being college graduates.  Will.Power.  Join me:  Will.Power.

You have risen from humble beginnings.  You are in a position to envision a better future and forge a new reality.  As you forge that new reality, celebrate and embrace our diversity—diversity in race, ethnicity, and culture, diversity of ideas and perspectives. 

Seek the common ground that unites us rather than the differences that appear to separate us.  We are all human beings who can make a difference.  Will.Power.  Join me:  Will.Power.

A while ago, I read the following question on LinkedIn:  “What is the one sentence people would say about you behind your back?”

To that question, I’ll add a few more:  How would you like to be remembered?  How would you describe your reputation, your character?

I’m going to sound like a parent now.  It takes a very long time to build an impeccable reputation.  That reputation can be destroyed by one irresponsible, foolish act.  Build your reputation.  Protect it.  You owe that to yourself and to your family.

People will not remember that you took a particular course in college.  They will not remember your late night emails, tweets, or Instagrams.  But, they will remember your reputation, your principles, your values. 

They will remember that you are a person with integrity.  Someone who knows the difference between right and wrong.  Someone who is guided by a strong moral compass through countless decisions each and every day.

They will remember that you treated them with dignity and respect, as human beings first, professionals second.  They will remember that you made a difference in their life.  They will remember.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:  “What we call results are actually beginnings.” 

New beginnings provide different vantage points, different views of new horizons, new frontiers, new possibilities.  Lifelong learning is the catalyst for new beginnings.  It’s your intellectual nourishment.  Unlike food, you can never have too much of it.

I cannot guarantee many things, but I will guarantee this:  the minute you think you know it all, the minute one of the worst evils of humankind, arrogance, consumes you, you’re in big trouble.  Stay humble.  Be a lifelong learner.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”  Take responsibility for your dreams and live them.  Live a purposeful life.

I have a prediction.  A future Commencement speaker is in this audience.  Someone whose life was transformed at William Paterson University.  Someone who lived the life he or she imagined.  Someone who made a profound difference in the lives of others.  Imagine that. 

Yes, this is our story.  And, this is your time.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Risk more than others think is safe.

Care more than others think is wise.

Dream more than others think is practical.

Expect more than others think is possible.

Congratulations and best wishes for continued success to the Class of 2015!!!  This is your time.