One hundred fifty-five. The number of people that Ambassador Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger saved on U.S. Airways Flight 1549 after he perfectly landed his A320 in the frigid waters of the Hudson. Anything short of saving all 155 would for him have been considered a failure.
This reluctant American hero captivated a packed Hempstead Stadium for his keynote address as part of Endicott College’s 85th Annual Commencement on Saturday.
A gentle fog rolled in off the ocean as the memorable ceremony began. Approximately 1,100 graduates were honored. The event was filled with many inspiring moments with a theme of heroism and tenacity throughout. It was about going beyond the cap and gown. The beauty of aspirations.
This day of new beginnings began with Class of 2025 Vincent Milluzzo’s undergraduate address. He spoke of the school’s personalized academic platform which enabled he and his fellow students to “flourish and spread our wings.”
Endicott Acting President Bryan Cain’s address began with reflection. ”An extraordinary journey brought you here. Think of the years. The things that had to happen generations ago to get you to this moment. Extraordinary failures and extraordinary successes that serve as milestones creating lasting memories.
“Today is about the internal forces that carried you to this moment. The world needs your courage, resilience and character. Qualities we associate with heroes.”
Dr. Cain told the students that leadership begins with listening and honesty. He implored them to pass it on.
“Find your champion,” he said. “Then be that person for someone else. Show up with tenacity and courage. The world needs your energy. Be the heroes that the world is waiting for.”
The theme of Sully’s captivating keynote was meet the moment. It was a message about the value of human experience.
For him aviation wasn’t a job it was a calling. He’s testified that while automation has been a major factor in safety improvements, we are still not adequately considering the human element in system design, policies and procedures.
In his Commencement remarks Sully said this about the rescue: “That day we were faced with an emergency we weren’t trained for or ever imagined. I chose the least worst option.
“One way of looking at this is that for 42 years before the flight, I had been making small regular deposits in a bank of education, training and experience. On Jan. 15, 2009, the balance was sufficient that I could make a sudden large withdrawal.”
When both engines failed in his A320 due to a flock of seagulls (not gulls he joked), Sully was forced to override instructions from air traffic controllers, summon his vast flying experience, and go with his gut.
“I could feel my pulse shoot up. The rush of adrenaline. I lowered the nose to maintain flying speed. I knew that it would be only a few minutes before we ran out of altitude and had to land.”
He told the students that “What matters now is to be prepared like Flight 1549. Be ready for independent critical thought. Denying reality is never an option.
“It’s not the job you have but how well you do it. Be a curious lifelong learner. In the end ask yourself ‘Did I make a difference?’”
He spoke powerfully of our country’s grand experiment democracy. “We all have a civic duty to do what I took the oath of office to do as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and as a U.S. Ambassador. Support and uphold the Constitution.”
Sully ended by paraphrasing from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech delivered at the march from Selma. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward destiny.”
Endicott’s first Pete Frates Courageous Leadership Award was given to Jack Smiley, acknowledging his emotional return after three years to the school’s hockey team following a stroke. His first game back this past winter was another example of courage, a triumph over adversity, and a life lesson on putting in the hard sometimes painful work.
This year’s commencement was not without solemnity. Campus police Sgt. Jeremy Cole was awarded a posthumous honorary degree. A fixture of the Endicott community, Cole was killed in a wrong-way collision on his way home from duty late last year. Son Jake, who is currently studying at the school, accepted the degree on his father’s behalf. Students continue their outpouring of love and support to the family.
Congratulations Gulls. Heroes are hard to find. May you fly like the wind.
Steve Steinberg lives in Danvers and is an adjunct professor in Endicott College’s Gerrish School of Business Graduate Program. He is a frequent contributor to The Salem News.