W. Roy Grizzard, Ed.D.
Assistant Secretary Of Labor
Office Of Disability Employment Policy
U. S. Department of Labor

"Ahead of the Curve"
Nova Southeastern University Commencement

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
June 19, 2004

It is my pleasure to be back at my alma mater, and to have the opportunity to be among the first to greet the newest of my fellow alumni.

Thank you, Dr. Singleton (H. Wells Singleton), for the dynamic leadership you provide for the Fischler Graduate School.

Thank you, President Ferrero (Ray Ferrero, Jr.), for your skills in bringing Nova Southeastern to a position of prominence in academia, business and the community during the seven years you have led this university.

In the mid 1960's - when some of you may not have even been born -- Nova was an imaginative idea - one that some in the traditional academic world viewed with skepticism.

A progressive group of educational pioneers conceived the idea of an institution of higher learning that would take a non-traditional approach to teaching.

Can you imagine? In 1964, someone conceived the idea of "electronic" learning! In 1964 someone believed that learning could take place in a variety of ways and in a variety of locations.

That tradition continues today. Nova still practices liberal and varietal approaches to education - and these methods have served its students - and its graduates - well.

Little did I dream nearly 30 years ago, as I approached this stage for my diploma, what twists and turns my own life would take - and how valuable my experience at this university would be.

When I proudly marched across the stage, degree in hand, I left Nova University with a certain vision. But because of circumstances beyond my control, that vision changed - literally.

In my mid-20's I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease of the eye that progressively impedes sight. I fought what was happening to me - denied the ever-closing window on my eyes. I continued to work. I continued to drive, until finally, at the age of 38 I knew I had to stop.

Let me tell you, the last trip home in my car was one of the most difficult journeys I have ever had to make. Stepping out from the driver's seat, I was giving up my independence.

I suddenly had to rely on others. I had to learn how to function in a different kind of world.

I was fortunate, however. I had skilled counselors, good friends, and the support of family and my employer. While my sight had worsened, my abilities had not changed. I had skills important to the workforce.

And, thanks in large part to Nova Southeastern University, I had been educated in the importance of flexibility. What many might view as a tragic set of circumstances, I recognized as a new learning experience.

I became knowledgeable about my own disability and found that I could impact the lives of other people who are blind. For six years, I served as the Commissioner for Virginia's Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.

And today, I proudly serve as the first Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy.

My goal when I enrolled at Nova had been educational administration. And, I attained that goal. But events that I could not imagine significantly impacted -- and broadened -- my horizons.

Certainly, my current role was nowhere on my horizon.

Nova prepared me well for new challenges. I believe it has prepared you equally well to be able to respond with flexibility to whatever life throws your way.

And, this brings me to the key message I want to leave with you: Be prepared for the unexpected. Be flexible.

Although many of you are in the workforce now, and no doubt, have your own goals and vision, I encourage you to broaden that vision. It is much too easy to become comfortable in our self-appointed roles. But circumstances change. You need to be prepared and ready to respond to change.

How you respond can make all the difference. Let me give you an example. Do you know Arturo Toscanini? He's a little before your time (I was still a young boy when he died), but if you know music, you know his name.

Toscanini was an Italian musician. He studied cello and, after graduation from the Parma Conservatory, he performed with various minor orchestras. Although unknown, Toscanini was precise in his study of music.

He was also severely nearsighted and unable to read the musical score. As a result, he memorized the music -- not only his part, but also that of each member of the orchestra.

While performing with an orchestra in Rio de Janeiro, he and the orchestra found themselves in a very unusual situation. The Brazilian audience - important people and music aficionados -- hated the conductor and booed him off the stage.

His fellow musicians admired Toscanini's perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and his photographic memory. They knew that he had memorized all the music. They suggested he take up the baton in place of the disgraced conductor. Toscanini was 19 years old!

The audience was shocked to see this young man ascend the podium. A hush fell over the crowd. Many thought, "This will be an even greater disaster."

Toscanini raised his baton, and the rest is history. He conducted one of the most moving performances of Aida this audience had ever heard. The performance brought the audience to their feet - and Toscanini was on his way to becoming one of the world's greatest conductors.

After an international career, Toscanini moved to the United States, where in 1937 the NBC Orchestra was founded for him. He performed regularly from 1937 to 1954 on the radio, thus becoming the first conducting superstar of modern mass media.

Toscanini was talented, but little known. He was given a great opportunity, and, because of his extraordinary command of music, he was ready to accept it.

Because of his preparation, beautiful music was made. His life was changed. And our lives have been changed.

What happened here was simple: Preparation met opportunity - and that's the formula for success. I encourage each of you always to be prepared for opportunity.

You often hear the phrase, "Think out of the box." My challenge to you is this: Don't ever get into the box!

Maintain a positive attitude. Immerse yourself in reading. And read books that support a positive outlook.

The motto of this graduate school is "Ahead of the Curve." By your very presence at this ceremony, you are already ahead of the curve. But, you won't be if you become complacent.

Your degree is a commendable personal accomplishment. But, to be worthwhile, recognize that you are part of something bigger than yourself.

Continue to broaden your horizons. Be flexible.

Although he is not a Nova graduate, there is one among you who is a prime example of these principles - the university's president.

Following a successful -- and lucrative -- career as an attorney, seven years ago President Ferraro gave up private practice to become the first non-academic head of Nova Southeastern.

We are grateful, President Ferraro, for the vision you have brought to this university. We are grateful that you chose to change careers.

Although I was initially devastated by my disability, thanks to family, friends and colleagues - and to a large measure my education at Nova - I not only adjusted to my situation but also grew professionally as a result of it.

We all grow by reaching beyond ourselves. We have the opportunity to change the world, as long as we are always looking forward. Be ready to take the road less traveled, for that can make all the difference.

I'm a great sports enthusiast, so I hope you will permit me one sports analogy before I close. There are many curve balls thrown at us in life. But no matter what curve balls are thrown at you, you can stay in the game. All you have to do is stay "ahead of the curve." And, you can win!

You have come to the end of one journey - for some perhaps a long journey. But a new journey is about to begin.

I wish you the best of luck in this journey that leads you to new, and as yet undreamed of, opportunities.

Thank you.