IBM exec urges grads to seek their 'life's passion' and 'nurture personal relationships'

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May 21, 2012

IBM exec urges grads to seek their 'life's passion' and 'nurture personal relationships'

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon May 21, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

Hundreds of SUNY Oneonta students graduated Saturday during ceremonies complete with pomp and circumstance, peppered with applause and featuring keynote speakers giving final lectures _ of sorts.

"What an exciting day this is," Janet Perna -- alumna, honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker -- told students and their guests gathered in Alumni Fieldhouse for the 123rd commencement at the State University College at Oneonta. She focused on three factors for students to remember _ find "your life's passion"; be resilient; and build and nurture personal relationships.

Perna, a 1970 graduate of SUNY Oneonta, used her math degree initially to teach, then found her dream job working for IBM.

"Every day was an opportunity to learn something new," she said. "I was part of creating an entirely new industry that would change the world.

"It's hard to define passion, but you will know it when you find it _ it will be energizing and exciting. It won't be work _ it will be something you feel in your heart."

Perna cautioned graduating students that there will be "bumps in the road" but encouraged them to learn from those challenging situations. She reminded listeners to "nurture your relationships."

"When you find your passion, it's sometimes easy to let it consume you at the expense of ignoring the people who are important to you," Perna said. "At the end of the day, it's the people in our lives who make a difference."

Perna was the highest-ranking female executive at IBM Software Group at the time of her retirement in 2006. She also has become an advocate for women in math and science and for her alma mater, which presented her with an honorary doctoral degree Saturday.

Black-robed students seated on chairs across the floor of Dewar Arena in Alumni Fieldhouse created field-like rows of academic knowledge. Red, yellow, blue and green ribbons and sashes were colorful signs of connections, departments and achievement.

Venise Hazel, 22, a SUNY Oneonta child and family studies major who graduated a year ago, returned to see her boyfriend, Jonathan Bryant, receive his degree.

Bryant, 22, from Yonkers, said he worked hard during the past five years, and graduation was a day of excitement. Hazel said her advice in the next stage is to "roll with the punches" and "expect more for yourself."

At a divisional ceremony, Mette Harder, assistant professor in the SUNY Oneonta history department, told students she had "despised" her graduation from college, which made her feel awkward and seemed "impersonal."

But since joining SUNY Oneonta, Harder said her view has changed, and graduation is an opportunity to celebrate with students their accomplishments and their launch into the future.

"I feel very proud, confident and curious about the next few years _ I am very confident, you'll do great," Harder told students. "You've come an enormously long way."

Speakers also thanked parents, relatives, friends and others for supporting students during their quests at SUNY Oneonta. They urged students to savor the sweetness of commencement and graduation day, and to stay in touch.

"You will always have a place and a link at this college," Harder said.