A few photographs from Commencement 2012 at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” - Robert F. Kennedy
“But if there was one thing that President Kennedy stood for that touched the most profound feeling of young people around the world, it was the belief that idealism, high aspirations, and deep convictions are not incompatible with the most practical and efficient of programs — that there is no basic inconsistency between ideals and realistic possibilities, no separation between the deepest desires of heart and of mind and the rational application of human effort to human problems.” - Robert F. Kennedy
“Of course to adhere to standards, to idealism, to vision in the face of immediate dangers takes great courage and takes self-confidence. But we also know that only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy
“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change the world — which yields most painfully to change.” - Robert F. Kennedy
“Now, you notice that there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that this is going to work if you look at my face, right? It’s one of the characteristics of a leader that he not doubt for one moment the capacity of the people he’s leading to realize whatever he’s dreaming.” - Benjamin Zander
“I realized my job was to awaken possibility in other people.” - Benjamin Zander
“So now, I have one last thought, which is that it really makes a difference what we say — the words that come out of our mouth. I learned this from a woman who survived Auschwitz, one of the rare survivors. She went to Auschwitz when she was 15 years old, and her brother was eight, and the parents were lost. And she told me this, she said, “We were in the train going to Auschwitz, and I looked down and saw my brother’s shoes were missing. And I said, ‘Why are you so stupid, can’t you keep your things together for goodness’ sake?’ ” The way an elder sister might speak to a younger brother. Unfortunately, it was the last thing she ever said to him, because she never saw him again. He did not survive. And so when she came out of Auschwitz, she made a vow. She told me this. She said, “I walked out of Auschwitz into lifeand I made a vow. And the vow was, I will never say anything that couldn’t stand as the last thing I ever say.” Now, can we do that? No. And we’ll make ourselves wrong and others wrong. But it is a possibility to live into.” - Benjamin Zander
“Books are smart and brilliant and wise. Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.” - Ray Bradbury
Innovation - Make changes in something established, esp. by introducing new methods, ideas, or products (New Oxford American Dictionary)
Original (Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know)
Cover (Walk off the Earth - Somebody That I Used To Know)
The future of Indiana is yours to shape. Its story is yours to tell. (Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana)
Some shots of Monica and I’s potential wedding venue (The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana)
Timelapsed: Indianapolis Super Bowl
Matt Litzinger - Networking
Commitment means different things to different people, but the key to using it as a networking tool is consistency. I had a friend as a child that was all about training for little league. He was so focused on becoming the best he could be – so much so that it encompassed everything he did. He even wore whatever mismatched team apparel he could to school just to feel like a dedicated athlete. However, as with most things, the hype fizzles out. If your friend was anything like mine, he soon found something else that he became just as passionate about and abandoned his dreams of being a life long All Star.
Two things stick out to me as I look at our generations shift from networking through phone calls and business socials to Twitter and LinkedIn.
First, most of us are pathetic at staying connected with a business contact if it doesn’t yield immediate results. We see the potential value in a person through the lens of what they could do for us, but like the kid in little league, we lose interest as that potential drifts further from reality or when we find another connection with better potential results. We are hesitant to commit long hours into a relationship that only boasts potential success. It has become much simpler to hide behind our screens and adopt the “let-them-come-to-me” philosophy.
Secondly, and most importantly, we are missing the great opportunity which is within reach. With the ever-expanding platform of social networking, we have more and more opportunities to not only connect with other like-minded business professionals, but put them a click away from resources such as our resume, portfolio, or blog. These connections become strengthened through our ability to showcase the work of others and interact with their success.
Simply put – We have immense tools that we have only just begun to see the value in and our cultural crutch of instant gratification has blinded us from these opportunities for too long.
Jonathan Haag - Social Media
Society as a whole is shifting how it communicates. Many individuals are choosing to exchange thoughts and information on a variety of online social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Email).
Many have painted this shift in a negative light.
I see it as an incredible opportunity.
In order to use social media effectively, both personally and for an organization, you have to understand that it’s all about relationships.
Strong relationships are built upon commitment and consistency.
As a social media practitioner you have to commit to utilizing social media in nearly the same manner in which you normally communicate.
No, I’m not talking about updating everyone about everything you do. I’m talking about interacting with people on social media like they were standing right in front of you.
Those last few statements should open social media up for you, because it allows you to be yourself and being yourself is the one thing we can all do consistently.
Treat social media with the commitment and consistency you use in everyday communication and I guarantee people will be drawn and engaged to you and your organization.
