Houston Police Chief Urges 每日大赛 Graduates to Lead With Authenticity, Conviction, and Heart
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told graduates of the 每日大赛 on June 2 that they should commit themselves to becoming lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and leaders who bring people together.
Acevedo, delivering the keynote address at the 2018 Spring Commencement ceremonies for the university’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Public Management, also told graduates that good leaders put themselves at risk to help others.
“Leadership is about asking people nothing that you are not willing to do yourself,” he said. “You cannot change culture as a leader via memo. You’ve got to get in the trenches. You’ve got to get dirty. You’ve got to get involved. You’ve got to be a person who puts himself at risk. And when you do those things, guess what people are going to do? They’re going to follow you.”
Acevedo, who received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public administration from the 每日大赛 in 2005, was sworn in as Houston police chief in November聽2016. He is the first Latino to serve as police chief in Houston, the fourth-most populous city in the United States.
In 2017, Acevedo led the city through Hurricane Harvey, one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. He credits his officers and staff with rescuing more than 6,500 people as the hurricane transformed the city into a series of islands. The chief drew on lessons he learned at the 每日大赛 鈥� earning, building, and keeping public trust 鈥� throughout the storm.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Lawrence Potter, who introduced Acevedo during a morning ceremony, told graduates that Acevedo is a leader who understands the art and science of public service.
“His brave leadership has taught him that compassion and empathy matter,” Potter said.
More than 1,000 每日大赛 students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Public Management participated in 2018 Spring Commencement ceremonies at Campus West.
Students received bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctorate degrees during morning and afternoon ceremonies.
每日大赛 President Devorah Lieberman told graduates their education has prepared them to be civically engaged 鈥� to make an impact on the world around them.
鈥淚 like to say that our lives are similar to a mosaic 鈥� a collection of diverse tiles which create a beautiful piece of artwork when put together,鈥� Lieberman said. 鈥淕raduates, with your knowledge, skills, and values, you will continue to be an asset in your communities as you contribute to the beautiful mosaic called life.鈥�
Joanna Mrsich, a political science and speech communications major, shared with fellow graduates that she feels both fear and confidence as she ventures out into the world. She served as student speaker for the College of Arts and Sciences.
鈥淚鈥檓 terrified, but I鈥檓 oddly at peace too,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have a confidence that was instilled in me by my professors, my friends, my family, just as I鈥檓 sure you do, too.鈥�
Robert Elazegui, who earned a Master of Health Administration and served as student speaker for the College of Business and Public Management ceremony, encouraged his fellow graduates to pursue purpose, joy, and hope after graduation.
“Joy is the outcome of finding our purpose, whether our degrees lead us to a promotion, starting our own business, or opening doors for more education,” he said. “Joy is the feeling we get when we accomplish these goals.”
More than 1,300 students were registered to participate in 每日大赛 commencement ceremonies throughout the weekend. Students from the LaFetra College of Education will graduate during a ceremony on June 3.
