NEWARK, N.J., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic
Corporation of North America Chairman and CEO Joseph M. Taylor today delivered a moving
address at NJIT's 2011 Commencement at the Prudential Center in
Newark after receiving an honorary
degree.
Taylor has had a 20-year association with the university through
programs he helped develop ranging from academic competitions to
scholarships. Through the years Taylor has had personal
relationships with more than two dozen NJIT graduates who have
become full time employees following commencement.
More than 2,300 degrees were awarded at the ceremony bringing
the total number of degrees awarded by NJIT to more than 72,000.
Inventor, sculptor and entrepreneur Daniel A. Henderson, the CEO of Intellect
Wireless, Inc., also received an honorary degree.
In 1991, Taylor, then General Manager, Applied Materials Group
at Panasonic, helped found at NJIT the Panasonic Creative Design
Challenge and the Panasonic Scholarship Program now in its 20th
year to create "a steady stream of young, smart, energetic
science, technology and engineering talent." The programs
were aimed at encouraging high school students, particularly
disadvantaged ones, to enter the fields of technology.
To date, more than 70 NJIT graduates have been employed by
Panasonic upon graduating.
"Many of you, I know, have already overcome enormous personal
and financial challenges in your quest to reach this day," Taylor
said. "I know there are some of you who have worked multiple,
part-time jobs every day to pay your tuition and then you volunteer
your 'leftover' time. I know that so many families did
whatever they could to scrape together the financial resources to
enable you to attend NJIT. Education is not cheap in
America."
He told the audience that NJIT students have motivated him with
their drive to succeed despite all obstacles. "You have
inspired me with your passion for knowledge and concern for others.
You already know what's important in life."
His advice followed. Keep your dream alive, Taylor said.
That's what he has learned motivates the most successful
people--the likes of Steve Jobs at
Apple and investor Warren Buffet, whom he has had the opportunity
to meet.
Take responsibility. "As you begin your careers,
understand that no one is responsible for your success but you," he
said. "None of us is automatically entitled to succeed, not
me, not you. Success only comes from the effort and talent
and passion that we apply to the task."
And he told them to ignore pundits, who knock the younger
generation with their talk of doom and gloom and declining
standards. "They write about a 'generation of slackers.'
It's nonsense," he said.
Under Taylor's leadership, Panasonic, which is based in
Secaucus, will move its
headquarters operations to a new site in Newark as part of its effort to transform
itself into an innovation leader in green business. The
company's new home in Newark will
offer employees easy access to a major mass transit hub and will
incorporate energy-savings, water-savings and accessibility
throughout its design.
At the commencement, NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch made note of this move:
"Panasonic's presence in the city that has been home to NJIT
for more than 130 years will further energize the upward trajectory
of Newark's economy and enhance
its role in national and global commerce.
In addition to his role in leading Panasonic's North American
operations, Taylor also serves as an Executive Officer of parent
company Panasonic Corporation. In this role, Taylor
formulates and executes Panasonic's global business strategy.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America:
Panasonic Corporation of North
America is the principal North American subsidiary of
Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic's U.S.
branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.
The company develops, manufactures and distributes an extensive
range of digital and other electronics products for consumer,
workplace and industrial purposes primarily for the U.S. and
Canada.
About New Jersey Institute of
Technology:
NJIT, New Jersey's science and
technology university, enrolls more than 8,900 students pursuing
bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 120 programs. The
university consists of six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of
Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts,
School of Management, College of Computing Sciences and Albert
Dorman Honors College. U.S. News & World Report's 2010 Annual
Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of
national research universities. NJIT is internationally recognized
for being at the edge in knowledge in architecture, applied
mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics,
advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural
engineering and e-learning. Many courses and certificate programs,
as well as graduate degrees, are available online through the
Office of Continuing Professional Education.
SOURCE Panasonic