Text of Remarks
C.H. Barnette
University of Charleston Commencement
Good morning! Members of the Administration and Faculty, members of the graduating class of 1998, distinguished guests, families and friends, it is a great honor to be invited to Charleston to speak in connection with this commencement. My wife, Joanne, and I, are delighted to be home again in West Virginia. It is especially meaningful to receive an Honorary Degree from the University of Charleston.
There are said to be three rules for Commencement speeches - the three B's - Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated -- I'll try my best. With the permission of all present, my comments are really for the graduates, so what I would like to do is have a conversation with the graduates. I'll try hard to be at least as insightful as Yogi Berra -- who in his commencement address at Montclair State said to the graduates -- "In the years ahead -- when you come to the fork in the road, take it --"
Undoubtedly, as you face many forks in the road, there are many questions going through your minds today. There certainly were at my graduation -- they included: (1) what is this education I have received; (2) what will someone like the graduation speaker share with me that might be helpful to my future; (3) what form of workplace am I entering; (4) how did we get where we are; and (5) as I leave college today, what, if any, responsibility do I have to my University - the University of Charleston?
Briefly, let me comment on these questions.
1. What is this Education I have received?
Graduation is a good occasion for considering the most important issues that an education helps address: What are our goals in life and how do we go about achieving them? You have studied many subjects and have different degrees -- in the sciences -- in the arts -- but at the center is a basic liberal arts education.
At a national symposium on liberal arts colleges and leadership in the 21st Century, Shirley Peterson, president of Hood College and, I'm proud to say, a director of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, had this to say about the value of a liberal arts education which I think is applicable to all our education:
"A liberal arts education includes among its chief virtues clarity and precision. Although it embodies the repository of wisdom across the ages, it is specific, rigorous, focused and particular. It is a coherent program of study whose sole and defining purpose is the creation of a strong and resourceful human mind. The whole point of a liberal arts education is not simply to pour facts or even knowledge into one's head. Rather, it is to liberate the mind, to learn how to learn, to learn how to think."
Let me repeat that last phrase -- "to learn how to learn, to learn how to think" -- that's what I hope your education causes you to leave here with -- and which should prepare you well for any career in the 2lst Century.
2. What will someone like a graduation speaker share with me that might be helpful?
In thinking about today and what I might share with you from my business and professional experiences, let me recommend this: spend some thoughtful time in establishing and clarifying your personal vision, objectives, strategy, and core values.
In meeting the demands of the present and preparing to meet the challenges of the future, we at Bethlehem Steel have developed these for our company. It seems to me that individuals as well as organizations should have them in order to succeed and to make the greatest contribution to society. Our vision is for Bethlehem Steel to be the Premier Steel Company.
As you make your way in the world, you might also have a vision -- which might be to focus on your core skills and to use them to be the best that you can be in whatever you do -- teaching, business, health care, law, the performing arts, raising a family, community or public service.
At Bethlehem Steel, we are working toward achieving our vision by concentrating on objectives -- which are also applicable to individual careers.
Our first objective is to serve our customers. We recognize that they have choices of materials and suppliers and we want our products and performance to cause them to choose us. We know that our success depends on their success. Similarly, in whatever field you choose, you will have to make sure you identify and serve your customers, your clients, your patients, your students or your family -- identify and serve those customers.
Our second objective is to promote a true partnership among employees. In this partnership, each individual is treated with dignity and respect, understands his or her own role in contributing to Bethlehem's success, and is responsible for suggesting creative ways for improvement. Essential characteristics of this partnership are trust, open and honest communication, ongoing education and training, and an acceptance of individual accountability and responsibility.
Think about how you could apply this to your career -- to your life -- developing trust, open and honest communication, ongoing education and training, and an acceptance of individual accountability and responsibility.
Our third objective is to be a good citizen, complying with the laws, protecting the environment, working to improve government accountability and economic vitality, and enhancing the quality of life. We provide leadership in civic and charitable organizations and encourage participation by all employees.
We must all perform our work with professionalism and dedication. But work alone is not enough. To yield a truly satisfying life, work must be combined with other things -- common sense, good judgment, a spirit of optimism and, perhaps most important of all, a sense of responsibility -- to ourselves, to others, to the community. Volunteerism, public service and being a good citizen will enrich both our lives and our community.
We believe that if we achieve these three objectives we will accomplish our overall objective of increasing the value of our company for our stockholders.
We all need a Strategy -- we have three:
1. Concentrate on Steel - You might concentrate on your principal core competencies - that will give you that competitive advantage.
2. Rebuild Our Financial Strength - for you, perhaps establish that fundamental base of economic security -- knowing your assets and liabilities, and living within your cash flow means.
3. Continuously Improve - Constant advancement through education, training, and Total Quality.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, establish, know and practice Core Values. For Bethlehem, there are five:
It is from these very core values that all else flows -- and while our strategies may change -- our core values are our permanent foundation.
So my best advice -- from my business and professional experiences -- have a thoroughly identified and personally understood -- Vision, Objectives, Strategy and Core Values.
3. What Sort of World - What Sort of Workplace - am I entering?
One word may describe it -- "Change" -- we live in a world of enormously fast paced change -- consider just these three:
1. Government Spending
In 1969, in the midst of the Vietnam War, military spending and other traditional functions of government absorbed 74% of the Budget -- social programs 26%.
Today, the situation is reversed -- 72% of the Budget is for programs for individuals that substitute for or supplement private insurance and other private spending -- such as health and retirement benefits - Change.
2. Financial Markets
In 1989, the Japanese Nikkei Stock Index was 39,000 -- a new era was hailed in Japan, missions were sent throughout Asia teaching the Japanese model of capitalism, and it was just a question of time when Japan's GNP would overtake the U.S. The Dow Jones Index here was 2,753.
In 1998, the Nikkei Index is 15,703 and the Dow Index is 9,000. A new era is hailed in the U.S., and Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, says the Japanese model of capitalism is dead - Change.
3. Communications and the Internet
The industrial revolution took over 100 years to bring together people with machines in factories.
The Internet will bring together people with knowledge of virtual companies. It may have as great an impact as the Industrial Revolution in promoting globalization -- but it will happen in 7 years, not 100 - Change.
This is not to say, however, that all view the new millennium as bringing about such swift change.
Over the next 1,000 years -- that's 250 presidential elections and 400,000 Broadway performances of that great show "Cats" -- the U.S Geological Survey for the next 1,000 years says:
A thousand years is a short period for a geologist.
The future is always clouded with uncertainty. Life is shaped by events we cannot predict, yet each of us wants to set a reliable course for the future. We seek a sense of control over our own destinies.
Back in the 1950s, and continuing into the 1980s, there existed an unwritten understanding between many American companies and their workers that went something like this: Go to work for the biggest and best organization. For the next 30 years or so give the company your loyalty, work hard and climb the corporate ladder. In exchange expect a good paycheck, benefits and job security for life. Today, for better or worse, that has changed. We live in a global economy and in a fierce internationally competitive world.
The new workplace features less stability and predictability and more change and uncertainty. It values performance and skills, as well as loyalty and tenure. An organization's employees are highly skilled and more self-sufficient, and its effective managers are empowering, customer-focused leaders. Cross-functional teams focus on the work that needs to be done, not on narrowly defined job descriptions.
Workers will not only have jobs but also marketable, up-to-date skills that can be used if they transfer from company to company or even from career to career. The ultimate personal goal is greater self reliance.
Employers will need employees who possess good communication skills, analytical ability and decision making. Employees will have to analyze what is going on, communicate what they learn and make decisions critical to productivity. Employees will need more sophisticated business, managerial and human relations abilities, and teamwork, and collaborative effort will be the norm.
Irving Shapiro, former Chairman of dupont said it this way -- "Seize every opportunity that may come your way even though it may frighten you. Only a few ingredients are critical to success. Integrity, hard work and good judgment."
I strongly believe the future job market in this country is promising for the following reasons:
I believe it is absolutely possible in America for each one of us to be what we can be - in this remarkably fast changing world.
One of the best examples is General Colin Powell - a child of modest parents - who grew up in the Bronx, New York, and went to college on a ROTC scholarship - through his personal efforts - through the support given to him by others -- he reached high office in our military service and government.
His life also best illustrates the remarkable change our world is going through - a military man dedicated to opposing Russia throughout the Cold War period -- he reminded us at an event at Lehigh University that, at a meeting at the Kremlin - that President Gorbachev looked across the table at him and said - "Generaleee - you're out of a job. The Cold War is over." This meant for General Powell and our armed forces drastic change in their size and scope of operations. He and they have responded remarkably well. He has adapted to change, and is now devoting in his retirement a substantial part of his life to service to others. If this remarkable career and opportunity can happen for a Colin Powell - it can happen for you.
4. How did you and I get where we are?
We are, I believe, at any point in our lives the sum total of two things -
First, the result of our own skills, energy, hard work, timing, and luck -- But second, and most importantly, we are the result of the guidance, support, and assistance of others.
In this regard, I would not be here this morning without
Now, having said all of this, let me ask you to do one thing for me -- join me in just a few seconds of silence to remember the single person who has had the greatest influence on your life. Thank you. It was difficult, wasn't it -- that's because it's likely there was not just one person -- but many.
If we are the result of these two things -- our own efforts -- and the support of others -- then it seems to me that to continue in the most constructive way we must be ever mindful of our responsibilities.
5. What responsibility, if any, do we have to our Universities?
Universities depend vitally on the continuing support of their graduates. But it's far more than financial support -- it's intellectual and moral enthusiasm for the University; it's personal devotion to the Institution; it's willingness to accept what is new, and to have affection for the place that has had such an effect on your lives.
We are, of course, indebted to our colleges and universities -- and I believe we really can repay them in only one way -- by being sure that those who follow will find it not just the school as we knew it -- but one that is always further improved. It is this chain of affection and responsibility that sustains the schools we love. Let's keep them alive and well! Let's keep the University of Charleston alive and well!
I participated in a community function two weeks ago, and a recent graduate was reported to have thanked his college president for the sound advice he received from him at his commencement -- The president said -- I really don't remember you or my advice to you -- what was my advice? The graduate said -- I was in line, and when I went across the stage to get my diploma, you handed the diploma to me -- you looked me square in the eye and said "Keep moving" -- and the graduate said: that's what I've been doing ever since graduation -- I've kept on moving -- and it's brought me success.
In closing, I want to wish all here today -- and especially the members of the Class of 1998 -- success, happiness and good health. Thank you very much. Take that fork in the road and keep moving!