On Saturday, May 10th, retired, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Mr. John G. Morikis addressed Calumet College of St. Joseph’s 2025 graduates, as families gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of their loved ones. Upon accepting the invitation to speak at the 2025 Commencement, Mr. Morikis had this to say, “Having grown up in nearby Lake Station, I appreciate the resilience, hard work, and dedication that define this region. I look forward to sharing this special moment with the graduates as they step into the next chapter of their lives, ready to make an impact in their communities, their careers, and the world around them.”

Mr. Morikis welcomed graduates, and gave a special thanks to the mothers in attendance, noting that on the eve of Mother’s Day, “None of this happens without you.” The Former CEO of Sherwin-Williams imparted wisdom to the graduates in three simple principles to live by. “Number one: Do what you say you will do. Number two: Run to the center of the fire. Number three: Don’t do what is expected of you.” He shared stories to help solidify these principles, noting the importance of action and reliability, facing challenges head on, and going beyond expectations. Mr. Morikis closed by stating, “The world today does not need more average. It needs bold. It needs committed. It needs relentlessness. It needs you.”

President Amy McCormack remarks had a similar theme of calling students to be doers. Quoting historical leaders of good works like Mother Teresa and Theodore Roosevelt. Encouraging the graduates to do good works, even when there are critics and even if there is no recognition or accolades for your good work. Dr. McCormack’s remarks finished with a quote from Pope Francis, whom she had the honor of visiting in Rome last summer, “Knowledge, if kept in your head, is no good. Knowledge should impact what you feel in your heart and what you do with your hands, and what you do with your hands, should impact what you feel with your heart, and what you think in your head.”

CCSJ’s 2025 Valedictorian, Sr. Nga Nguyen, of Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hung Hoa, Vietnam, delivered her remarks. She reminded her fellow graduates of all the long night and hard work that they had put in to get to this day, saying “Today we are celebrating not just a diploma, but proof of our resilience.” Sr. Nga thanked her family, classmates, the Sisters at the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, and her home congregation for their support in her journey to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Digital and Studio Arts degree. She spoke of her plans to utilize her studies to open an art studio for women and children when she returns to Vietnam. Sr. Nga encouraged her classmates to continue to “dream boldly and serve others generously” as they embark on this next chapter.

One hundred twenty-six undergraduates matriculated this year, with additional graduate level students receiving Master’s Degrees in Public Administration, Teaching, Business Management and Psychology. Mr. John Morikis was presented with an honorary doctorate degree.

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Please direct media inquiries to:

Jenn Gunter Peddycord
Director of Communications and Special Assistant to the President
Calumet College of St. Joseph
219-473-4227
Email: jpeddycord@ccsj.edu