Roberts Abele’s Post

I saw this post, I recalled some of the best commencement speeches that stick with me. My own was given in 1996, when I graduated from management studies at the University of Manitoba, by Dave Angus, then President of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. It was about human potential and not setting limiting beliefs. The 1997 hypothetical commencement speech written by Mary Schmich but made famous by @Baz Luhrmann, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)", also known as "The Sunscreen Song. There is some great advice I still dispense today to others, my favourite is "that some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't know what they want to be in life." In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven's commencement speech at the University of Texas often called the “Make Your Bed” speech. Start your day by doing one thing successfully, even if that is making your bed. Two recent ones that have caught my mind space; In 2023, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's speech at Northwestern University entitled Would an Idiot Do That caught my attention because of how he spoke about those who deal in cruelty and ignorance. Finally, Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girl's Can Code, delivered the 2023 commencement speech at Smith's College, which is referred to as the Bicycle Face speech. In it, she dispels Imposter Syndrome in the same way that the historically malady Bicycle Face was used to hold women back. For my speech, I would use the theme of Acceptance without Understanding™. So much in life can be overcome so that we all coexist together, even though we don't understand. It's not about agreeing or tolerating either. Like the famous TED talks, which are not on my bucket list as a speaker, neither is giving a commencement speech. If asked, I would say yes to both! #acceptancewithoutunderstanding #acceptanceforall2050

🎓 Earning a doctorate is a journey filled with immense challenges and profound sacrifices. The strain on one's mental health is significant, and the right academic environment can make all the difference. Selecting the right institution and dissertation team, particularly your Chair, is crucial to maintaining your sanity and successfully completing your degree. Trusting that your leaders are genuinely guiding you towards building a lasting legacy is vital. From personal experience, I can attest that organizational trauma is real and deeply impacts students' daily lives. As we navigate graduation season, I am working to reclaim my power and focus on the valuable lessons learned, rather than the frustration I've endured. For anyone feeling betrayed, enraged, or unsupported during your dissertation journey, you're not alone. This is precisely why I founded the R.E.L.E.A.S.E Support Group—to provide a community where your experiences are acknowledged and your feelings validated. If you're in need of support, DM me for an invitation. Let’s navigate these challenges together. I tell myself often, stop suffering alone. Acronym: R.E.L.E.A.S.E R - Renewal E - Empowerment L - Liberation E - Expression A - Affirmation S - Support E - Empathy Are you a BIPOC professional navigating the challenges of systemic racism, organizational trauma, impostor syndrome, workplace stress, or burnout? Sign Up for O.I.I.T R.E.L.E.A.S.E SUPPORT and Empowerment Group. Valentine Coaching & Consulting, LLC. makes a commitment to empowering professional BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), our organizationally induced Intrapersonal trauma support groups provide a safe haven for turning challenges into triumphs collectively. Relieving stress, depression, boosting self-esteem, and connecting through spirituality, your purpose and dreams. Affirm “Helllll Yeaaaaaa” Your Greatness Is Waiting! #DoctorateJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #AcademicSupport #RELEASEOIIT

We are pleased to share the Furman University 2023 President's Report with you! In this report, you’ll discover the ways our students are finding their life’s purpose through #TheFurmanAdvantage. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g2gyFr9M

What a great model of servant leadership.

People like Ben Kessler (2006 Tommie of the Year and UST student commencement speaker) and Harrison Butker will always exist somewhere in the dark corners of society that we like to pretend don't exist. You've likely heard Butker's speech or at least the outcry from it. You likely haven't heard Kessler's speech... which can be found here - it is triggering, and you can audibly hear cursing from the audience, FYI. This is what Chrissi Johnson, Danielle Shaffer and so many of my friends had to endure at their own graduation, the year before mine. Devastation. https://lnkd.in/g6c7Aacr For every clown out there using the podium to rewind history back to the 1950's, there are folks more qualified and competent delivering hope from the podium like role models and friends Jim Obergefell and Sara Cunningham. You likely heard the speech in 2014 at The University of Texas at Austin by Admiral McRaven. Perhaps one of the most epic speeches ever given from an authority figure with integrity, conviction, hope, and inspiration. https://lnkd.in/g6c7Aacr I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to return to the University of St. Thomas and deliver my own commencement address at the graduating class of 2024's Lavender Graduation ceremony. Whoopi Goldberg, I agree with your take. We all have a voice, and we all need to use our voices to advocate for our beliefs. The way to fight fire sometimes is by using fire of our own. Rather than hate, we deliver acceptance. Rather than vitriol, we deliver hope. Rather than intolerance, we deliver a celebration of diversity. Rather than dwelling on the past, we look to the future. I attempted to do this in my own way. You can hear those comments here: https://lnkd.in/ga7pnN8e

Recognise your past to inform your future with our ONLINE 'Introduction to Black Studies' Course starting January 2025. Live Weekday and Weekend Classes. BOOK TODAY! Info: https://lnkd.in/gichjUS3 #knowthyself #blackhistory #africanhistory #blackstudies #onlinecourse

1 Step closer to completing the Master’s Plan🙏🏾

In the past, students would be guided by the educational philosophy of the Basilian Fathers and their motto, "Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge." Today, St. John Fisher University continues to emphasize liberal learning for students in both traditional academic disciplines and in more directly career-oriented fields. Learn more about our school history here: https://bit.ly/3kstFT4

Marketing performances requires a lot of coordination across stakeholders. When I arrived at the Conservatory, the event management process was in transition. We were struggling to get a sense of the scope of events that needed support, while providing an agile solution to artists, and aligning with our sustainability initiative. This time last year we announced four fall Center Stage performances. Thanks to Smartsheet, this year we announced our entire fall season which consists of 105 performances. Not only does this bring us back to pre-pandemic standards, we are also delivering more value to performers and attendees, automating a ton, and saving over 600 trees in the process. Learn about how we did it during a Smartsheet virtual user group: October 26th, 2023. Registration details to come. In the meantime, reserve a ticket for any of the performances taking place at the Conservatory this fall, more details in the post below. Shout out to my process architect collaborators Matthew Carey and Wesley Fowler, all of my colleagues that keep this process moving, and of course the Smartsheet success team behind it all; Marianna Schmitt, Chad Koch, and Kelsey Hayden #process #eventmanagement #eventmarketing #teamwork #worksmarter #projectmanagement #process #sustainability #artsmanagement #esg

https://lnkd.in/gKtKtdEY "Are you passionate about education and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities? Apply for the Anthony D Turner Memorial Scholarship today and join me for a panel discussion at the presentation ceremony! Let's empower future leaders together. #HBCU #Education #Scholarship"