Last week, I was honored to participate in the commencement ceremony at my alma mater, Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey http://www.rider.edu/. It’s hard to believe that my own college graduation was all the way back in May of 1967 when Rider was a College and hadn’t yet transitioned into a University. You could say that, 42 years later, I have come full circle, now having the distinct privilege and honor of serving as the chair of the Board of Trustees at Rider University.
As I sat on the stage last week, participating in the commencement services, I couldn’t help but reminisce about how my life has evolved in the more than four decades since I received my college diploma. I didn’t realize then that the kind of education I had received during my four years at Rider, would shape me into the person I am today, and give me the foundation I needed to prepare for a future career. And as I look back, I realize that college prepares individuals not only to dream, but to make their dreams to come true.
Personally and professionally, I have always believed in the power of pursuing your dreams. In fact, you could say that at Wawa, we are in the dreams business. Wawa is a magical place where people can achieve their potential and can fulfill their dreams – no matter what the dreams may be. We give associates the opportunity to work up the corporate ladder, support community activities, and become the best they can be in their dedicated profession. Let me share a few stories about how our associates are dreamers, like me.
Jim Wisniewski is a General Manager in our Hamilton Square, New Jersey store. I had the honor of being on stage at the Rider graduation while Jim received his diploma. Jim is 21 and has worked full-time as a Wawa General Manager for the past three years while attending Rider full-time. He grew up just a few blocks from the store he now manages. He began working at Wawa while attending college and was promoted to General Manager. Jim has always had big dreams and a passion for everything he does. According to Jim, it’s been a challenging, but fun and rewarding journey. He tells me that he learned many things from school that he can apply to his role at Wawa; and at the same time, he learned many things from Wawa he has been able to apply to school. Jim said it’s been his life’s dream to get a college degree, and Wawa has helped him make his dreams come true through work flexibility and some assistance through our tuition reimbursement program.
Another dreamer is Wendy Marshall. Wendy is our Corporate Secretary Administrator in Wawa’s Legal Department. Wendy, a mother of two daughters –one recently graduating college – decided to return to school in August of 2001 to complete her degree. In 2005, Wendy suffered a stroke. She courageously fought to recover, and never gave up her dream of completing her education all along the way. Wendy said she was driven even more to finish the program after she was told by doctors that the odds of her completing it were against her. Wendy received her degree from Neumann College this past weekend, as part of Wawa’s cohort program, along with three other Wawa Associates. She is proud of achieving this dream and for the unwavering support of her family, friends, and her extended Wawa family along the way. Wendy said when she heard her name announced on stage, it hit her that her dream was no longer a dream-- it was a reality.
The desire to constantly improve is what drives us to learn more. And it’s what allows us to become fulfilled individuals, and provide our customers with the friendliest most convenient service possible. By learning more, we become enriched as individuals, as a team, and as a company. No matter what your level of education or stage of life, learning is something you can do throughout your career at Wawa. At Wawa, we are dedicated to continuous learning, and to helping associates earn their degrees in higher education. Available programs include classes at local campuses, tuition reimbursement programs, and cohort partnerships with St. Joseph’s University, Immaculate College and Neumann College, to name a few. I continue to believe that this commitment sets us apart from other companies, and is part of what keeps us one big family, always expanding our minds and our hearts.
So hats off to all of our graduates! May all your dreams come true.
“Til next time…