Remarks by Nancy Daly Riordan

Honorary Degree Recipient

Thank you so very much. I LOVE Claremont. How lucky all of you are to be sitting here today. Congratulations. I think if I were one of you sitting here I may have come in through Pitzer College with its emphasis on training teachers for early childhood learning and getting them on a fast track into the classroom. As co-chair of the Universal PreSchool effort in Los Angeles, this kind of focus on early childhood learning is critical to the success of our effort.

My parents could only afford to send one child to college and decided that between my brother and me, he would go to college and I would go to a two-year secretarial/business school. Believe me, I am thrilled that I had this training because it lead to great jobs, and I learned how to type which comes in so handy now in the age of computers. I can only imagine how proud my parents would be today that through the foundation in life they gave me, they laid the groundwork that has led to my receiving this Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

Over the years, I did take a variety of college courses taught by some very good professors. However, I believe my most important professors were the people I identified as wise and gifted and had something that I wanted or needed to add to my development. As I look back now, I realize that I chose these people as mentors at different phases of my life.

My dearest friend, Joanne Agoglia, who is here today, taught me a style of mothering that embraced the notion of unconditional love, complemented with an overwhelming amount of hugs, kisses, celebrations of life, humor, excitement and emotion. Her guidance helped me rear and nurture three more of my Professors, my daughter Linda, and my sons Bobby and Brian. They can be pretty tough teachers at times.

There are a few other Professors who are with me each and every day of my life, although they are no longer physically in this world. Vivien Weinstein, Donald Cohen, Margarita Mendez, Kathy Clifford Beard. These four wizards taught me the lessons of tenacity; open-mindedness; grace, courage, confidence in the face of strong community criticism; self-criticism, self-confidence and strength when confronted with the fear and realities of dying.

They helped me understand the privilege we have to make a difference each and every day of our lives and that ensuring the joyfulness of children, our own, our grandchildren, the children of the nation and our world is the true meaning of life.

My newest and most cherished Professors are my own grandchildren, Leo, Julianna, Quinn, Jessica, Liz and Nicole. I learn more about myself each and every moment I spend with them.

If I were to give you any advice today it is to seek out and recognize the wizards you encounter as you go through life; listen to them, watch them, follow their advice and keep them on your shoulder forever.

And, of course, I stand here, today, next to a brilliant Professor and wizard who has enriched my life immeasurably. He is truly my soul mate, mentor, and partner. He fills up my life with his unconditional love and support. I am so very proud to share this incredible honor with him today.

So, I count my blessings, that I have lived to this moment in time when I can stand here before you, and with utmost gratitude tell you this is one of the happiest and proudest moments in my life. Thank you so very much.