Levy Addresses Class of 2007
Ceremonies held May 19, 2007
Levy opened his address to the 663 bachelor’s degree graduates by recalling his own commencement speaker, but admitted he couldn’t “remember one word that the gray-haired man in Ben Franklin spectacles said that day 57 years ago at Coe College in Iowa.”
Levy told graduates that success is a journey, not a destination, and one that should be thoroughly enjoyed. He shared with them what he believes are the ingredients for success, which include persistence, resilience, unselfishness and leadership.
“Leadership is not manifested in getting others to follow you,” said Levy, “but in getting others to join you.”
Levy recounted the final seconds of the Buffalo Bills heartbreaking Superbowl loss to the New York Giants in January 1991 -- or “wide right” as it is known to Buffalonians.
“The story could have ended there, but it didn’t” said Levy. “There were thrills, disappointments, hard work and dedication, and I’m not talking about football. It was a story of comebacks and life lessons learned for me and I hope for you. Most of all it is about a renewal of spirit and an unquenchable strive for success.”
Levy added that to love the work you do is more important than ambition, money or security to reach the top. He concluded his remarks with a wish list for the graduates, which included idealism that lasts a lifetime, compassion for all people and God’s creatures, the ability to laugh often and at yourself, and the capacity to ask yourself, “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?”
Levy’s full address is available on Canisius on iTunes. To view it, click here and click on the “Public Canisius iTunesU Site” banner. The itunes application will launch in another browser window. Click the About Canisius icon and then Commencement. You will need to have iTunes installed on your computer.
Date released: 5/24/2007
