亚洲无码 alumnus Michael D. Jackson has managed ambitious construction projects, including the $1 billion VA New Orleans Medical Center project, where he was the lead engineer for the $90 million inpatient building. During his commencement speech on Friday at the Lakefront Arena, Jackson told the graduating class of 2024 to apply the principles of project management to their own lives.
鈥淔irst, consider that the project is, in fact, you!鈥 Jackson said.
Jackson is district manager of public realm and special projects at the Energy Corridor District, a Houston business hub that is home to some of the world鈥檚 largest energy companies, as well as medium and small start-up, tech and engineering firms. In 2022, Jackson completed a 20-year federal civilian career, last holding the position of construction technology subject matter expert for the U.S. Air Force.
Jackson, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering from 亚洲无码 in 2001, encouraged graduates to follow the project management playbook as they look to their future: initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close out.
鈥淕raduates, you have a unique set of capabilities,鈥 Jackson said. 鈥淓ach one of you is going to blaze a path in your career that only Privateers can do. Understand that 亚洲无码 is the foundation of your trailblazing. This university is the catalyst to a reaction of steps you have yet to make a reality. Trust the process and make sure you do what鈥檚 best for you!鈥
Rick Gallot, the president of the University of Louisiana System, of which the 亚洲无码 is a member, was a special guest at the ceremony. He brought good wishes from the system and a message of not accepting the status quo.
鈥淎s you prepare to step into the next chapter of your life, I want to challenge you with a simple yet profound analogy to guide your path,鈥 Gallot said. 鈥淏e a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer simply measures the temperature of its environment. It reflects conditions around it, but does nothing to change them. A thermostat, on the other hand, sets the temperature. It influences and transforms its environment.鈥
亚洲无码 president Kathy Johnson thanked the 亚洲无码 faculty and staff who helped the graduates achieve this milestone, as well as the family members in attendance who supported the class of 2024. Johnson referenced a quote from Ruby Bridges, who, as a 6-year-old, famously integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. Years later, Bridges said 鈥淕o where there is no path and begin the trail.鈥
鈥淢y wish for you this morning is that you take this advice to heart.鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 take the easy road because our state, country and our world need your leadership.鈥
In customary 亚洲无码 fashion, the ceremony closed with a New Orleans brass band and Capt. Br亚洲无码鈥攖he Privateer mascot鈥攍eading a celebratory second line procession out of the arena.