Todd A. Stottlemyer, former CEO of Acentia, addresses 355 master’s degree candidates and 58 doctoral degree candidates in an afternoon ceremony. CHRIS RADCLIFFE
During Marymount University’s commencement exercises, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture Tony P. Hall encouraged Marymount University undergraduate degree candidates to “take the opportunity that is always around” to serve by “doing the thing that is in front of you,” as Mother Teresa advised him when he visited her in Calcutta. Todd Stottlemyer urged graduate degree recipients to “seek success with significance” as a servant leader, as his company chose to do when its employees were faced with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Hall addressed 696 degree candidates and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Marymount’s undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 24. The event was held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Stottlemyer addressed 355 master’s degree candidates and 58 doctoral degree candidates at MU’s graduate commencement, which followed at the same venue. A consultant to and member of the Maximus Federal Services board, he is the former CEO of information technology company Acentia.
Both speakers drew upon personal experience in challenging students not only to lead, but to serve. Hall is a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his humanitarian and hunger relief work. A 24-year veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives, he chaired the only committee on hunger and the poor in Congress at the time. When it was eliminated by a vote from both parties, he protested with a 22-day fast. He recounted for the undergraduates, Ten thousand high schools and several hundred universities joined the protest. New programs started, new legislation passed, and a global conference committed $100 million to the effort.
During Stottlemyer’s service as CEO of his own technology company, the organization experienced the success of rapid growth, recognition and outstanding return for shareholders. Stottlemyer encouraged graduates to think about significance in own lives as they begin their careers.