IÕm a reader!  I have my glasses on.  First of wall, thank you Dr. Hartnett!  Thank you, Dean Fountain!  I 
just want to hear another round of applause for this organization.  This is the best program IÕve ever 
seen.  I am huge on mentorship.  I have had many mentors in my life that have made such an impact 
that, to just be invited to be a part of this is huge for me and I thank you for that.  This is my first time to 
actually have a graduate.  We have been together for a year and a half due to the troubles.  IÕm glad to 
be here.  IÕm a storyteller by my nature but today I am going to be a reader because I didnÕt want to 
leave anything out.  Sorry for the camera.  Most of my mentors were storytellers, in word or deed.  They 
listened to my questions and issues, and then helped me refocus them through the lens of their 
experience.  My biggest takeaway from all of these relationships, I discovered that I learned as much 
from their failures as their successes.  So, I take that forward into this program as well.  ItÕs sometimes 
difficult to talk about your failures but there is so much to be learned.  I think everyone has heard of the 
book ŌThe Tipping PointĶ.  ItÕs older now.  Malcolm Gladwell speaks of three types of people necessary 
for the tipping point to occur.  I think, I know, we have a lot of those type of people in this room right 
now.  We have the connectors, they know everybody.  IÕm seeing smiles.  We have the networkers, 
those in the large social circles.  And then we have the mavenÕs, who possess information and expertise 
and the databanks, who know and are willing to share.  Personally, I consider myself a connector.  As 
soon as Jack and I felt comfortable meeting in person, we would have coffee meet ups, that is what 
worked best for us.  I would sometimes use that opportunity to introduce Jack to other entrepreneurs, 
colleagues, potential employers, and that seems to have worked out pretty well.  Personally, I feel that 
mentorship is actually a two-way street.  I donÕt think itÕs take from us.  I donÕt approach the mentor 
relationship as the font of knowledge.  Maybe the font of fashion.  We learn together.  Especially in 
todayÕs fast paced ever changing industry of marketing and communications, which we are both in.  All 
of these students remind us of where we have been and what we have accomplished and sometimes, 
what we have yet to accomplish.  The Executive Mentor Program helps us to remember just how much 
opportunity was ahead of us when we stepped out of the arms of higher education into the real world.  
But most of all, Jack, you, and all of you, students and mentors, inspire me with your drive, your 
willingness to learn, your willingness to share, your entrepreneurial spark, and your old school 
gumption.  I miss gumption sometimes.  Thank you for letting me be part of your transition and 
hopefully lifelong friendship.  And please pay it forward.