Young advises UAFS grads that ‘life is about people’

story submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

The commencement speaker at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Dec. 17 spoke of the past, present and future and encouraged "face-to-face contact" for the graduates as they make their way into the world.

Robert A. Young III, board chairman for Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp., told those assembled for the fall ceremony that "life is about people."

"How you interact with people will be the major determinant of your success," said Young, stressing the word "major."

"The way you communicate and grow relationships will determine success, and you must do it in person and do it well," he said. "Learn to really listen to people."

He called overutilization of technology a risk for today’s graduates.

"Texting and Facebook are no substitute for direct face-to-face contact with people," said Young. "Contact allows you to read a person’s real self."

He also encouraged graduates, as they pursued careers, to find something they enjoyed doing and found to be important.

"No matter what your college major, look for something you really like to do," he said. "If you succeed at that, you never have to work a day in your life. And remember, success does not equate to money. Success is a satisfaction in doing something worthwhile and doing it well."

Young also told the group that they were graduating at a time in history that has the worst economic climate in his lifetime.

"That’s an advantage," he said. "It’s called experience. … In a sense, you’re graduating at a time of what is probably the bottom. It should make you aware for the rest of your life that the chance of economic downturn is always present and you will include that thought in your financial plans."

Young also encouraged the graduates to stay in Arkansas, saying the state needed college-educated citizens to help it move forward, and advised the graduates to keep learning.

"What you are going to discover in the work-a-day world is that the really important thing you learned in college was how to learn," said Young, giving a sentiment echoed by Dr. Paul B. Beran, UAFS chancellor.

Dr. B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System, was present for the UAFS commencement, as was Jim von Gremp of Rogers, a System trustee. Sugg, in speaking to graduates, reflected on the history of UAFS since it became a part of the University of Arkansas System almost eight years ago.

"UA Fort Smith is a very unique university, not only in Arkansas, but in the nation, and it is developing into a very respected regional university," said Sugg, who lauded UAFS for continuing the legacy of Westark Junior College.

Sugg spoke of the university’s tremendous growth during its university years, calling the "most impressive" aspect the fact that 2,000 men and women have earned their baccalaureate degrees during this period. He also spoke highly of the community support for UA Fort Smith prior to dispensing some advice to graduates.

"Do a little more than you are paid to do," Sugg said. "Give a little more than you have to, try a little harder than you want to, aim a little higher than you have to, and give a lot of thanks to God."

Commencement activities also featured a first-time event held as part of the ceremony — the administering of the oath of office for UAFS student Jared Biggs of Fort Smith as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. This final act for his commissioning, which began with an afternoon ceremony on campus, included an oath administered by Lt. Col. Clark Taylor, professor of military science at both the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and the UAFS, and an official first salute by Staff Sgt. Dustin Gober.

Another feature of this year’s commencement exercises was the presenting of the colors by the Fort Smith Northside High School Reserve Officer Training Corp.

Fall commencement included the awarding of approximately 450 degrees and certificates for those completing graduation requirements during the second summer term and the fall semester.