Remarks by Muhtar Kent upon Receiving Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Muhtar Kent, President
and Chief Operating Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Oglethorpe University Commencement
Atlanta, Georgia
May 10, 2008
As prepared for delivery
President Schall … esteemed Faculty and Board of Trustees...
honored Class of 2008... friends and families -- thank you so
much for this wonderful tribute. I am privileged -- and humbled
-- to receive this recognition and to be with you on such a
momentous occasion. I also want to congratulate Dr. Hall and
Dr. Hansen, and thank them for all they have done over the years
to strengthen our great community.
Class of 2008, this is your day. Relish it! Celebrate it! Honor
it! But not before thanking your parents and other family members.
Can I ask all the parents and relatives of our graduates to
stand up for just a moment? Please … don't be shy.
Class of 2008 -- this is your chance, along with your friends,
to show your appreciation for mom, dad and everyone in your
family who's helped make you the success you are today. Please
join me in congratulating them.
Parents and family -- I can relate to all the thoughts swirling
through your head today. Just a year ago, I was sitting proud
in a setting very much like this one, watching my daughter receive
her bachelors degree diploma from Tufts University. Four years
from now … knock on wood … I'll be doing the same
for my son who enters Columbia this coming year.
Today, your loved ones have accomplished something that is
rare and honorable indeed -- a degree from this extraordinary
university.
Over the course of my career, I've had the good fortune of
working on every inhabited continent and have been introduced
to dozens of different cultures. I've met some truly remarkable
people and I've noticed a common thread that runs through all
great leaders. Each has had an uncanny ability to adapt…
to embrace something new … and make it better. A classic
liberal arts education has given the Class of 2008 that same
foundation.
I'm convinced there's no better trait that you can bring to
your life and career than the passion to "learn how to
learn" -- something Oglethorpe has taught you so well.
Never has a liberal arts education been more relevant.
It's now estimated that the rate of human knowledge is doubling
every 5 to 10 years. For many of you, it's very likely that
by your 30th birthday you will be working in industries and
professions that don't even exist today.
Now, to some of you 30 might sound awfully old. Try 122 years
old. Coca-Cola celebrated that milestone this past Thursday.
When you've reached such a distinguished age, you've earned
the right to be set in your ways, right? Well, not exactly.
Think about this: 10 percent of our business at Coca-Cola today
comes from beverages and brands that did not exist in our portfolio
three years ago.
Our world is transforming at light speed … this is the
world you are entering. The intellectual curiosity you've groomed
at Oglethorpe will be your lifeline in a rapidly changing world.
So too will be the relationships you've established here and
the lessons you've learned in stretching yourself far beyond
your comfort zone.
I'm often asked by college students and professors, "What
kinds of traits are you looking for in new executives and leaders?"
I tell them that we're looking for young professionals who know
how to create and nurture real and lasting relationships. We're
looking for young men and women who seek out a variety of diverse
people, attitudes, beliefs and experiences -- people who can
assimilate and be as comfortable working in Santiago as they
are in San Francisco.
Life in the 21st century is going to be all about continuous
learning... relationships and flexibility. It's about engaging
your mind and imagination.
Life in the 21st century is also going to be about engaging
your heart. The social conscience that permeates this university
-- that indeed defined James Oglethorpe himself - -is in great
demand in our world today. The mounting problems our global
society faces can only be solved by working together across
cultures, borders and ideologies. What a wonderful opportunity
there is for you... each of you in the Class of 2008... to make
a difference.
I've learned -- above all else -- that the lessons I just spoke
of are what truly help create a difference in this world. Hold
close to the deep relationships you've established here at Oglethorpe
and let them serve as models for the way you engage with all
the new people that will enter your life in the years ahead.
Relationships will be at the heart of your future success.
Be at ease moving through different cultures and never lose
that ability to adapt to change. The demographics of the world
are changing and your ability to work across cultures... and
geographic borders... and differing points of view... will be
essential.
And finally, give as much back to the world as you take. Our
world grows more inter-dependent by the day. We are only as
strong and as enduring as the sustainable communities we help
support.
The great diversity of this university with its tradition of
community engagement and its mission of seeking tolerance and
truth will serve you well in the years ahead.
When I look out at the Class of 2008 -- when I listen to the
great faculty and leaders of this university -- I can't help
but think the future of our world is in great hands.
Congratulations to the Class of 2008, and to your great families.
And thank you again for this distinguished honor.
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