Robin Robinson, a member of the state Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, shared the VIP Principle of success with approximately 100 graduates Dec. 7 at Mississippi University for Women’s first-ever December commencement ceremony.
“This principle has three key ingredients that, if practiced to perfection, will spell success — whatever your definition of success might be,” she said. “Those key ingredients are vision, involvement and persistence.”
Using her personal experiences as an example, Robinson cited an example of graduation from college in 1978 and beginning her career with Laurel-based Sanderson Farms.
“I had decided by 1984 that I wanted to be the director of organization development and serve on the executive committee. Well, I worked hard to make my vision a reality. In 1986, I was named chief internal auditor; in 1995, human resources manager; and finally in 2000, my vision became a reality. I was named director of organization development … It only took me 15 years to get to my dream job,” she told graduates.
She stressed the importance of work ethic, attitude, values and enthusiasm.
In her address, Robinson pointed to a quote by Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Robinson said the slogan “‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
In closing, the keynote speaker encouraged graduates to “Never, ever, ever, ever, give up!”
Medals of Excellence
As part of the ceremony, MUW President Jim Borsig also awarded Medals of Excellence in recognition of exemplary service to MUW following the disastrous 2002 F-3 tornado that struck campus, damaging many historic buildings and destroying others. Awarded since 1979, the Medal of Excellence is the university’s highest non-degree honor.
One of the recipients was former Sen. Trent Lott, a 2007 Medal of Excellence recipient, who provided invaluable assistance throughout the recovery process and ensured the scope of damages to the Art and Design Building were fully addressed.
Awards were also presented to the following:
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