Faith Integrity Diligence Excellence Service
Spring 2024 Vol . 87 , No . 2
The Williamsonian
Entered as Periodical at Post Office , Media , Pa .
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES
Heenan Delivers Rowan Day Keynote Address
In his Rowan Day keynote address in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel in Rowan Hall on Nov . 14 , John Heenan told the students “ Williamson is educating you about some of the heroes that made your education possible . Isaiah Williamson is clearly number one on that list . This school wouldn ’ t be here if it wasn ’ t for his vision . Close behind him come people like Henry Rowan who had a vision and wanted to support this . He put a great deal of his treasure into your school .”
Heenan , who recently , along with his wife Bernadette , donated the funds for the construction of the Thomas and Agnes Heenan Chapel Mezzanine , said “ Henry Rowan was a great man . He did great things in his career and he left behind a great legacy .”
He then said , “ I was asked to speak on transformative philanthropy and did some homework to see what that is . I found it is charity with a strategic purpose ; that means transforming something into something different . Henry Rowan ’ s gift to Williamson was transformative because it helped bring in similar gifts from others , allowing this Continued on page 5
Trustee Heather Hassel-Finnegan delivers the Founder ’ s Day address .
‘ This Old House ’ Host to Deliver Keynote Commencement Address
John Heenan , in his Rowan Day keynote address , tells the audience in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel in Rowan Hall of the importance of supporting Williamson College of the Trades .
Hassel-Finnegan Delivers Founder ’ s Day Address
Founder ’ s Day , a day to honor the legacy of Isaiah V . Williamson and celebrate what would have been his 221st birthday , featured a keynote address by trustee Heather Hassel-Finnegan , the bestowing of the board of trustee ’ s Isaiah V . Williamson Award and the C . W . Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award , and the Sons of the American Revolution ’ s William J . Yearsley 4W1 Award .
Hassel-Finnegan , speaking to the students in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel on Feb . 8 , said quiet leadership is measured by consistent and purposeful action . “ Our founder was a quiet leader . All along he had been giving generously , though usually anonymously , to the poor , the old , the sick . And , as you all know , his final gift was this trade school , a place where those who may not have been born into opportunity are given the tools they need to succeed .
“ I know the 1880s seem like a long time ago , but the truth is our society has not changed that much . Society still tries Continued on page 11
Mita Inspires Students at 133rd Convocation
Kevin O ’ Connor |
Kevin O ’ Connor , host of the popular PBS home renovation series “ This Old House ,” will deliver the keynote address at the 131st Commencement at 10 a . m ., Thursday , May 23 , on the Betty and Russell 5W0 Harvey Field .
In 2003 , the producers of “ This Old House ” asked him to become host of the show and he made his debut in Season 25 , Episode 1 .
He is also host of “ Ask This Old House ,” is on the editorial board of the “ This Old House ” magazine , and is host of the podcast “ Clearstory .” He also has hosted shows for the DIY and History ’ s H2 networks . He wrote the book , “ The Best Homes from This Old House ” in 2011 .
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Eustace Mita , chairman and CEO of ICONA resorts , chairman of Mita Management , and CEO of Achristavet , LLC , addressing the students as the keynote speaker at the 133rd Convocation on August 31 , said “ Our good Lord said ‘ I ’ m going to give you all talents and I want you to use them to the best of your ability .’ ”
He then quoted Dr . Martin Luther King , who said “ I don ’ t care if you are a streetsweeper , but be the best streetsweeper you can be .”
Mita was explaining to the students the importance of being the best that you can be no matter what it is that you are doing − carpentry , masonry , or whatever you are interested in .
Continued on page 3
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Eustace Mita |