May 12, 2006 - Joe & Ali Torre Highlight Rider University's 141st Commencement
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.—New York Yankees manager Joe Torre told Rider University’s graduating class of more than 1,000 to get the most out of life while touching other lives along the way during the University’s 141st Commencement on a surprisingly sunny Friday morning.
Despite a bleak weather forecast that threatened to move the ceremony indoors, the Commencement went on as planned on the Campus Green in near perfect conditions. “God must be a Yankees fan,” remarked Rider President Mordechai Rozanski while welcoming the graduates and others in attendance.
Torre and his wife, Ali, were presented with honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees for their efforts through the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation to combat domestic violence and its devastating effect on children.
“You’re going out there to a tough world and the only thing I can tell you—and I do this on a yearly basis with my players—is just go out there and be individuals,” Torre told the graduating seniors. “Be who you are with your intelligence and your enthusiasm. Spread it around, folks, because you are our leaders. You are our future. And I’m excited about that.
“But also understand there’s a responsibility that goes with being an individual. Don’t shy away from that responsibility. It’s not going to be easy. We lost one of our major players last night (Hideki Matsui to a broken wrist) and lost another player last week (Gary Sheffield to a wrist injury),” added Torre. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to throw up our hands and say, ‘How can we do this?’ We have to find a way to do it, and that’s the only message I can give you. The world is loaded with potholes and setbacks, and whatever it takes to get through that will make you a better person and a better leader.”
Ali Torre was also grateful for the honor bestowed upon her. “Thank you for recognizing the work I have been so fortunate enough to do,” she said. “I am here not only because of my work as a community volunteer, but as a result of my community. It is not so much about what I have done, but the value of what others have done for me.
“I am happy to be sharing this honor with one of the most honorable people that I know,” she added. “My husband, Joe, is a generous man within his community. He has demonstrated leadership, courage and compassion. He has taught me about love, trust and commitment. And he has given me the greatest gift, our daughter, Andrea.”
The couple founded the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation launched by the couple in the spring of 2002 as a result of Mr. Torre’s own personal experience as a childhood survivor of domestic violence. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every child and every family has a safe environment to develop and grow.
“Integrity and respect are very important to me. The respect portion is understanding that when you don’t win a game, you don’t cry foul or say it’s not fair. You just respect the other team that beat you,” said the Yankees’ skipper, who recently recorded his 1,000th victory as manager of the team. “They were just better than you that particular day.
“The integrity part is something a little more individual. It goes with you wherever you go,” added Torre. “When Ali talks about trust and commitment, that’s what integrity is all about—feeling good about yourself. That’s what our Safe at Home Foundation is trying to get across to these youngsters who grow up in abusive households. It’s not you, it’s not your fault. Self-esteem is so important.
Torre had one final message for the Class of 2006. “Enjoy it. You only borrow this life one time. Get the most out of it, but along the way, touch a lot of lives.”
The Torres were also presented honorary Rider baseball jerseys by five graduating seniors from the Rider baseball team: Casey Kernan, Tom Letizia, Michael Poalise, Steven Sciaraffo and Bryan Wagner.
In his welcoming comments, Rozanski said, “Why is baseball relevant to Rider University and to our graduates today? The answer is that baseball mirrors what we value and teach. Baseball values competition, talent and achievement. It teaches leadership, critical thinking and communication skills. It cultivates lifelong friendships, pride of association and passion. We must always be accountable and always keep score. Consider that the keys to success you have cultivated here at Rider are, in many ways, the same as in baseball. They include continuous learning and practice, playing by the rules and always striving to be your best even if you strike out occasionally.
“There is one more important key to success that we emphasize today, and that is the ideal of altruism,” added Rozanski. “Baseball teaches us that in order to win, you must be prepared to practice the principle of sacrifice and commit to work collaboratively with others to advance the success of the whole team.”
In addition to the conferral of degrees, the Rider University Awards for Distinguished Teaching were presented to Dr. Feng Chen, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Todd Weber, assistant professor of biology.
Amy Wirth, of Manchester, N.J., was the graduating class speaker. A psychology major with minors in business administration and dance, Wirth completed her studies at Rider University in three years. She is an Edward Bloustein Urban Scholar and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Psi Chi honor societies.
