Second Chances Can Lead to Success, Alumnus Tells University of Richmond Continuing Studies Graduates
May 9, 2005
Retired college teacher and mortgage business owner J. David Cryer told School of Continuing Studies graduates at the University of Richmond this morning that second chances and a little luck could be a formula for success.
“Life is a surprising thing,” Cryer told the 214 members of the class of 2005, “and that’s a good thing, because it’s nice to know that when you least expect it, things can take a sudden turn for the better.”
Cryer, himself an SCS graduate in 1973, told the class that his first attempt at higher education didn’t end so well.
In fact, he flunked out after a semester at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania in his first incarnation as a college student, achieving “a perfect G.P.A. of 0.0,” partying instead of studying. That earned him a transfer to “Uncle Sam’s campus at Parris Island, S.C., better known as Marine Corps Boot Camp.”
“My path to the University (of Richmond) was obviously not a straight line,” he said.
After four years in the Marines, including two tours in Viet Nam, Cryer “was incredibly surprised to be accepted” in SCS, then known as University College.
“It was my second chance,” he said,” one that I would not screw up this time.”
“That’s what’s so unique about this graduation, this school, and you. It’s one of those neat little surprises that seem to alter our paths with little warning: getting started, keeping going, then getting started all over again—this is the essential rhythm of not only achievement but of survival and growth and the purpose of the School of Continuing Studies. It’s our ‘getting started again’ place along our own personal path.
“For me, it was the start of a wonderful and bountiful life that now enables me to give to my university (Cryer and his wife, Linda, gave SCS last year the school’s largest gift ever) my family and my community in return for so much that they have given me.”
Cryer is a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) assigned to look after children’s interests in court, such as in custody cases. He and his wife also open their home for respite, short-term and emergency care for foster children. Over the years they’ve taken in 43 children, from a day or two, to nine months at a time.
Working as a taxi driver and a bill collector for Sears & Roebuck, Cryer graduated from SCSin three years and went on to teach in Henrico Schools and at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, retiring in 1997. From a chance beginning of a loan to former tenants to buy a house, the Cryers also built a successful real estate investment and mortgage company.
“I want to freely admit that success does take hard work, but it also does not hurt to have luck,” he told the graduates. “Your graduation here is evidence of your hard work and will allow you to create your own luck and hopefully have fun doing it.”
Also speaking were Anne Marie Morgan, an adjunct associate professor who teaches multimedia political science courses and who received the distinguished faculty award; and student speaker Denise Walent, who received her bachelor of liberal arts degree summa cum laude. The distinguished alumni award went to Valerie J. Agnew, a ’96 graduate who is a senior legal analyst at Philip Morris U.S.A.