BUENA VISTA, Va. — An LDS general authority spoke at commencement exercises for the largest graduating class in Southern Virginia University history on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
More than 900 people attended the graduation of 128 graduates and listened to Elder Nolan D. Archibald, an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Archibald, the executive chairman of the board of Stanley Black & Decker Inc., encouraged the graduates to set and achieve goals throughout their lives.
“Each of us has different talents,” Elder Archibald said. “But intellectually, each of you has the capacity to accomplish almost anything that you will set your heart on if you’re willing to put forth the essential effort.”
Elder Archibald said he was an average student at Ogden High School, but after serving an LDS mission he learned to set high goals for himself. He went on to play college basketball at Weber State and earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. By age 42 he was appointed to be the president and CEO of Black & Decker.
Elder Archibald’s formula for success included taking the following steps: First, believe in your potential; second, focus and have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and eliminate distractions; third, develop an effective plan; fourth, work hard and be persistent; fifth, keep a proper perspective and balance of your priorities in life (family, church, career and community service).
“Whether it’s a gangly, Utah high school kid with a lackluster record and big dreams or an SVU graduate, these same principles can help you achieve both your professional and personal goals in life,” Elder Archibald said.
Elder Archibald received an honorary degree in humane letters during the commencement ceremony.
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