Never stop learning, Widener graduate degree recipients are told

CHESTER » Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, spoke to Widener University graduate degree recipients about the importance of continuing to learn, a philosophy embraced by the American founders, at the university’s graduate commencement on Friday.

“The best thing about lifelong learning is that it’s the most satisfying thing you can do,” Rosen said. “Every day you learn something new is a day you rise higher toward enlightenment and fulfillment. It’s my honor to welcome you to the company of lifelong learners. The American founders expected no less.”

Rosen addressed 695 students who received master’s and doctoral degrees from seven Widener schools and colleges on Memorial Field. The graduating class hailed from 16 states and 11 countries including Kazakhstan, St. Lucia, Morocco, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates. The oldest graduate is 66 years old and the youngest is 22 years old.

As president and CEO, Rosen developed the center’s acclaimed Interactive Constitution, which brings together top conservative and liberal legal scholars to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement about every clause of the Constitution. Last November, he partnered with Widener to launch its Common Ground Initiative and moderated a successful panel discussion between President Julie E. Wollman and Delaware Law School Dean Rodney A. Smolla.

“President Wollman’s path-breaking Common Ground Initiative seeks to bring together students and citizens of different perspectives to learn from each other so you can take part in the respectful, reasoned discourse the framers thought was necessary for the success of the republic,” Rosen said.

Rosen received an honorary doctor of law degree to recognize his accomplishments and records of service, in addition to his efforts to exemplify the Widener mission.

Christine Aiello, RN, was chosen to speak at commencement as the Graduate Student Leader. In her remarks, Aiello, a resident of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania who received a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree, shared a personal experience from which she drew three lessons that she learned during her time at Widener: leadership, tolerance and teamwork.

One January afternoon, Aiello and her husband were in their home when an elderly man collapsed outside while taking a stroll with his wife. Despite the frantic nature of the situation, Aiello recalled that thanks to the leadership, tolerance and teamwork of

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