Encouraging Students to Find Their “North Star”
On Sunday, May 17, the School of Engineering (SOE) welcomed David Rosowsky to deliver the commencement address at the Phase II Commencement Ceremony. Rosowsky, E85, EG87, is a member of the SOE Board of Advisors, a nationally recognized leader in higher education innovation, and has served in some of the most influential academic leadership roles in the country.
In his speech, Rosowsky reflected on his vivid memories of the commencement speakers at his own Tufts graduation ceremonies in the 1980’s: Massachusetts politician Tip O’Neill and journalist and social-political activist Gloria Steinem.
He emphasized to graduating students that they are now freer to make their own decisions and choose their own path without professors by their side to guide them. However, he encouraged his audience to establish a new, equally precious relationship with their mentors out of college, and that although graduating from college comes with a newfound independence, no one is ever truly on their own.
Rosowsky credited his Tufts education for helping him navigate disciplines, cultures, and barriers throughout his engineering career, advising students to “lean into [their] Tufts pedigree” with confidence.
Acknowledging that the world has significantly changed in the past 40 years, Rosowsky reminded graduates that change is the only thing that is certain on the journey ahead.
“You will each need to find your own North Star—something to guide you and something to fall back on when faced with decisions, conflicts, opportunities, challenges, and losses,” Rosowsky said. “But I promise you, as that North Star comes into focus, what burns brightest and hottest at the center will be what you take away from your time at Tufts.”
Rosowsky currently serves as senior advisor to President Michael Crow at Arizona State University, where he contributes to the design and advancement of the university. He has also served as Senior Vice President and Provost at the University of Vermont, as Vice President for Research at Kansas State University, and as Dean of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A Double Jumbo, Rosowsky earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Tufts before completing his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University.