Scott opened her remarks by admitting that she left college before graduating to start a business where a portion of profits would be donated to cancer research, as cancer had struck her stepfather.
That early venture, The Hat Box, failed, but Scott noted that, “Every step and misstep in that business laid the path for the business I lead today.”
Yet the most important piece of advice for the graduates, in Scott’s view, was to “Do good,” and use their business careers as a vehicle to help others.
Of her current billion-dollar business, Scott said, “Doing good and doing well are not at odds with each other. In reality, the more good we did, the better we did. The better we did, the more good we could do.”
LIM College President Elizabeth S. Marcuse cautioned the Class of 2023 not to buy into social media’s illusion that “everyone is so pulled together and perfect,” saying, “We are all human and there is no shame in struggling or failing. The bigger problems come when we don’t trust ourselves, get help when we need it, and learn from our experiences.”
An honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree was also conferred on Patty Farmer, MPS ’21. Farmer is a successful entrepreneur and author who received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from LIM and currently serves as Vice Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees.
The Maxwell F. Marcuse Award was presented to Patrick J. Clayton of the Class of 2003. Clayton is the Founder and Creative Director of Patrick J Clayton Productions. Named for LIM’s founder, the Maxwell F. Marcuse Award is the College’s highest alumni honor.
Alexandra Mondesir, BBA Class of 2012 and MPS Class of 2016, received the Shining Star Alumni Award. Mondesir is the Founder and Creative Director of a Monde Designs. Maranda Janky, BBA Class of 2017 and MPS Class of 2021, received the Rising Star Alumni Award. Janky is the first Director of Content, Americas for The Financial Times.
Helena Miller of Madison, Wisconsin was the undergraduate Class of 2023 Valedictorian. After graduation, Helena will launch her career in Macy’s Executive Development Program (EDP) as a Merchandising EDP.
Megan Marr was the undergraduate Class of 2023 Salutatorian. Originally from Arlington, Texas, Megan will be joining Ross Stores as a Location Planner. Earlier this year, Marr was the top recipient of the NRF (National Retail Federation) Foundation’s Next Generation Scholarship.
Professor Hilda Alfonso of the Fashion Merchandising and Marketing department received the Adrian G. Marcuse Award for Teaching Excellence. Named in honor of LIM College’s president from 1972-2002, this award is given to a faculty member who performs in exemplary fashion in the classroom and consistently embodies the College’s core values.
Watch LIM College’s 2023 Commencement.
