Convocation speaker
Glenn F. Tilton, chairman, president and CEO of UAL Corp.
and its subsidiary United Airlines, noted that graduates will
re-enter a weak economy where unemployment remains high.
“Combine
that with a threat daily of terrorism and you’re facing
one of the most uncertain times in history,” Tilton
said.
In all, more than
1,000 students received master of business administration,
doctor of philosophy or joint master’s degrees in business
and another discipline during the graduation ceremony, held
June 21 at Northwestern University’s Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Tilton, who comedian
Jay Leno once quipped had the worst job in corporate America,
offered lessons from his tenure as CEO of an organization
facing extreme financial challenges. United Airlines, hit
hard by a travel industry slump, currently is in Chapter 11
bankruptcy reorganization.
“A challenging
environment is a good thing,” Tilton said. “Success
can come too easily in a boom economy. What you gain from
challenges is a sense of appreciation for accomplishments,
not a sense of entitlement.”
It seemed a fitting
send-off for the Class of 2003, many of whom began their studies
at the Kellogg School on Sept. 11, 2001 — the date of
the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. —
and have witnessed the country’s steps to recover its
economic footing ever since.
Saying there is
no one path to success, Tilton advised graduates to take risks,
be open and honest and to refrain from taking themselves too
seriously.
“Be humble.
In your jobs, you will be encountering people from all walks
of life and I believe you can learn from all of them,”
he said, adding that he reads every email message he receives
from his employees.
Kellogg Dean Dipak
C. Jain advised graduates to make continuous learning part
of their careers and not to forget to turn to their alma mater
in their quest for additional knowledge.
“Learning
should still be your guide as you move forward,” Jain
said. “Turn to the Kellogg School as a source to replenish
your mind, body and soul.”
Also during the
two-hour ceremony, Assistant Professor of Marketing Christie
Nordhielm accepted the L.G. Lavengood Professor
of the Year Award for outstanding teaching. Saying fear
can be a motivating factor in marketing, in the classroom
and life, Nordhielm told graduates to face the things that
test them head-on.
“Fear is
one of the first signposts on the road to learning,”
she said. “Please don’t turn away from difficult
problems, whether at work, in your personal life, or most
importantly, in the world.”
