TERRE HAUTE —
A crowd of hundreds gathered about the wooded St. Mary-of-the-Woods College campus outside West Terre Haute, surrounded by those who can teach them about success.
At the school’s 171st commencement, 223 Woodsies were ushered into the world Saturday as sunny temperatures climbed past 85 degrees.
Myra Janco Daniels, commencement speaker and honorary doctorate recipient, advised graduates that the secret to success is surrounding oneself with those who can teach.
Daniels’ husband, Draper, served as inspiration for the characters in “Mad Man,” a cable television series about advertising executives in the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to managing accounts such as Colgate-Palmolive and Maytag, he is also known for creating the “Marlboro Man” campaign.
The two ultimately married after Draper purchased the firm at which she was an executive. But her own career started as the owner of Wabash Advertising, a company she launched with $200 and turned into a million-dollar business within a year.
In 1965 she became the youngest recipient of the National Advertising Federation’s “Advertising Woman of the Year” award, years before meeting her husband. In addition to her career in business, Daniels held a six-year professorship in marketing and advertising at Indiana University. She is founder, past chairman, president and CEO at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.
Achieving success in the man’s world of the 1960s advertising business started with early childhood lessons learned from her grandmother, Sophie, who spoke nine languages but never earned her own degree.
“She was a very shrewd woman and very good businesswoman,” she said, recalling the initial startup loan issued her by her grandmother. Sophie prepared a note for the pre-schooler, charging her 2 cents per dollar as interest. In addition to lessons about finance, she emphasized the need to give back a portion of one’s earnings, and never stop believing.
“You can do it,” Daniels recalled her grandmother telling her. “There’s nothing you can’t do within reason if you believe and partner with the big idea.”
But determining what it is one wants to do is key to doing it, she said. The definition of success must be determined by each individual person, but without first defining it, it’s hard to achieve.
“I wish you all the success you want,” she said. “Don’t let anything stop you.”
Dr. Janet Clark, vice president for academic affairs, said the class of 223 hails from 28 states as well as Nigeria, Vietnam and Jordan. The large and diverse group is a good representation of ongoing excellence, she said.
“And we’re extremely proud to continue that tradition into our 171st year,” she remarked before the afternoon’s ceremony.
In the shade of trees outside Cecilian Auditorium, Elizabeth Wright, 22, waited in her robes for the ceremony to begin. The Georgetown, Ind., native and four-year residential student at the college served as her class president, and she said the sisterhood of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates is special.
“I am so excited to be a graduate,” the future high school teacher said.
Down the line of robes, on the other side of the educational spectrum, Lisa McFarland, 38, Greensburg, awaited receipt of her master’s degree in leadership development. A distance-based student employed at Hill-Rom Inc., she said the program afforded her was a great combination with her undergraduate work in organizational management. But more than just classes, she said St. Mary-of-the-Woods College is a special place.
“It’s a family here,” she said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Technology take: A man attending the 171st commencement at St. Mary-Of-The Woods College records the event digitally while sitting in the gallery.
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Distinguished Alumni: Rachel Eberle Ambrose ('64) received the Distinguished Alumni award during Saturday's commencement at St. Mary-Of-The-Woods College.
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Commencement: St. Mary-Of-The-Woods College held the 171st commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon.
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Honorary: Myra Janco Daniels receives an honorary degree during Saturday's 171st commencement ceremony at St. Mary-Of-The-Woods College.
Discussion
Pursuing ‘the big idea’: Woods graduates urged to surround themselves with those who teach success
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