Become a servant leader in your chosen profession

by Barbara Schleppenbach, PhD ’71

The St. Francis Solanus Chapel has been home to many bright beginnings in 110 years at the heart of Quincy University.

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the Chapel was the ideal location for the Winter Commencement ceremony that welcomed a capacity audience to celebrate new graduates.

The Winter 2023 class comprised 46 bachelor’s and five graduate degree recipients. In his invocation, Fr. John Doctor, OFM, vice president of mission and ministry, expressed thanks for “the blessings that each of these students have been to QU. May they never lose a sense of wonder and awe; may they never stop discovering who they are.”

The theme of self-discovery in service was echoed by the Commencement speaker, President Emeritus Phil Conover. The university’s 23rd President from 2017 to 2019, he has also faithfully served the University as a volunteer, trustee, interim athletic director and chief operating officer. Conover was awarded the honorary doctor of humane letters in 2019.

Conover invited graduates to “capture this moment, this morning. At any given moment, we are the summation of our past experiences. Career and personal growth experiences can have a compounding effect on your life and your career,” he continued. “They are knowledge builders, they are door openers, they are relationship builders, and importantly they are confidence builders. They can help you to become a servant leader in your chosen profession.”

“Phil’s Four Things” enable anyone to find a successful niche in life and career:

Phil’s Four Things

Develop a very strong work ethic and keep yourself coachable.

Learn how to treat people the right way.

Keep yourself morally strong.

Learn how to appreciate what you have at every moment of your life.

How long is your ‘no’ list?

He recalled advice he had given to a man nearing retirement with regret. “How long is your ‘no’ list? How many times did you say ‘no’ when you were asked to serve? How does your ‘yes’ list compare to your ‘no’ list?"

“A ‘yes’ list can be started at any age. God calls on us to serve, and we know that servant leadership is an important part of Franciscan culture at QU. Being of service can happen simultaneously to building a career.”

“In your sunset years, life can reduce itself to a collection of memories, created by decisions and choices in your younger years. We hope that these memories are good ones that put us at peace. A healthy ‘yes’ list can help make that happen.”

Conover concluded with the words of St. Francis of Assisi:

You can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given.