University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies grads encouraged to examine their definition of greatness, strive for balance
May 11, 2009
Col. Kimberly S. Lettner, chief of Virginia's Division of Capital Police and University of Richmond alumnus, told the university's School of Continuing Studies graduates to strive for achieving the good in all areas of their lives, instead of greatness in just a few.
"In order to achieve a better balance in our lives, we might be better off striving for quite good..., " she said.
Lettner, a 2006 graduate of Continuing Studies, worked for the Virginia Department of State Police for 21 before joining the Capitol Police as chief in 2007.
She said she understood the graduates' struggles and sacrifices on the road to graduation. An admitted perfectionist, Lettner said she had a profound moment while rigorously studying for one of her final exams—that greatness was not necessarily the best objective for her. Instead of continuing to study that day, she decided to pull weeds in her flower garden.
"Here's what I realized—if the pursuit toward one thing is so great, what else is being sacrificed?" she said. "Being great in the classroom does not make one great; being great in the workplace does not make one great. What about your families, your spiritual life, your friends, your colleagues?"
Lettner discussed the balance of work, family and education as an essential element of the graduates' success, emphasizing that the challenge of balance was not over.
"Your efforts to balance [your lives] does not cease today because you are graduating," she said. "You must continue to seek and achieve balance in relationships with your family, friends and colleagues while also reserving time for personal growth, increased spirituality and successful work."
Student speaker Vincent C. West, who received his bachelor of liberal arts degree, said the university was a "cauldron in which we poured our effort, sweat and angst as we strove to acquire the level of education and knowledge required for us to successfully compete in a challenging workforce." But he encouraged his classmates to keep learning.
"This marks the conclusion of one phase of our education, but not the end of our education," he said.
Robert S. Kelley, adjunct professor, received the 2009 Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Faculty Award. He joined the SCS faculty in 1985 and teaches in the Human Resources Management program.
The Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni Award went to W. Joseph Winston, who graduated from SCS in 1971 with a bachelor of commerce degree in business and marketing. He is founder and president of Doctor Techno Marketing, a marketing and promotional products company in Richmond.