Congratulation Odette Class of 2012

The Odette School of Business is proud to announce our graduating class of 2012.  This coming September will never be the same for 298 brand new Odette School of Business alumni.  For the past four years September has meant returning to school but this year, graduation means job hunting will be at the top of the agenda for these former students.

What’s next?

This was the questions posed to new Odette graduates by Honourary degree recipient Dr. Sandra Pupatello (former MPP from Windsor West).  “It’s probably not going to be what you think.  It’s probably going to be better!”

With her mother and brother, and their families in the audience, she reflected on her life growing up as a “tomboy” on Elsmere Ave., rather than a nice Italian girl… relegated to playing goalie for her brother in endless games of street hockey.  She never imagined she would be standing delivering the commencement address for graduating business and nursing students.

She shared a few tips that she had learned along her way:

• Remember who was with you before you won, before you found success, and really appreciate those who where there when it was a grind.
• Be really nice and genuine to people because the individuals you are mean to will end up as your boss or will marry into your family!
• Find a mentor; they are invaluable. Mine is Lenore Simpson – a woman ahead of her time, who at 82 is still guiding, encouraging, and providing brutally honest advice… and is still my champion.
• Know where your competition is coming from.  My generation was continental while yours will be global.
• Plan to have and embrace many changes as you move through your career.

She closed her address by asking all graduates to become somebody’s champion. Be a surprise to what everyone expected of you.  Be genuinely good to the people you come across.  Remember the ones that were around as you find your success. Fix the things in our world that we are to short sighted to fix.  Really appreciate that you are in the top percentile globally and a responsibility to do good in the world – use your gift to do good because you can!