Corporate, Civic Leaders Inspire Kenan-Flagler Graduates

s they embarked on new career opportunities, Kenan-Flagler 2002 graduates from MBA, MAC, BSBA and PhD programs heard life lessons from top speakers at May commencement.

MBA graduation

In remarks to MBA graduates, William Cavanaugh III, chairman, president and CEO of Progress Energy and CP&L, encouraged graduates to "consider the power of dealing with reality while keeping hope alive."

"Transformation is all about change, and the world did not stand still when you began this program in the fall of 2000," Cavanaugh told the crowd. "In fact, the earth seems to have had more than its normal wobble."

MAC graduation

Cavanaugh said there's a powerful tension between current reality and a desired future - between "what is" and "what can be." That gap can be paralyzing or energizing, depending on how you react. He cautioned graduates not to cling to stability when they should embrace change.

"You're in no danger of slipping into cruise control at the moment," Cavanaugh said. "The immediate issue is how you handle change over the next few weeks and months. This may include a transition period while you find the right re-entry point on your career path."

BSBA graduation

At the ceremony, Ken Epps, president of the MBA Student Association, received the Frank Hawkins Kenan Award for Excellence. Epps headed to the Pentagon after graduation, where he is serving on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and working in an office rebuilt after Sept. 11. Epps said he had mixed feelings about leaving Chapel Hill.

"I have grown so attached to the University and the community here, and it's with great sadness that I leave," Epps said. "But in D.C., I'll hopefully utilize many of the skills I learned at Kenan-Flagler."

Warren Jobe, former president of the Georgia Power Foundation and former CFO of Georgia Power Co., told MAC graduates that they have an opportunity to make a difference in how the world views the accounting industry.

"Historically, new accountants have had to earn their stripes and pay their dues, but corporate America can't afford to wait that long," Jobe said. "We need your leadership now. You're leaving academia in a watershed moment when we need to fix what's broken."

BSBA and PhD graduates heard from U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina in the University's commencement ceremony.