As the 2019 Convocation speaker, outgoing dean Donald S. Burke explained that the world would be looking to the class of 2019 for answers to issues like the opioid epidemic, gun violence, and other challenges to the public's health. Dean Burke dispensed wisdom personally gathered during his career, encouraging graduates to turn to six "90 percent precepts" to help make the most of their own incredible potential.
1. Show up
90 percent of success is showing up
2. Share credit
Give 90 percent of the credit to your coworkers and collaborators
3. Be concise
90 percent of meaning can be conveyed in half the words
4. Chill out
90 percent of perceived insults can be attributed to accidents or indifference
5. Value excellence
90 percent of everything is junk
6. Be realistic
90 percent of the work is done in the first 90 percent of the time, and the last 10 percent of the work is done in the last 90 percent of the time.
Listen to the full address
Download the address text (PDF).
For more information on annual graduation and convocation events, visit publichealth.pitt.edu/graduationweekend.
Convocation photos will be available via our online Flickr albums.
5/06/2019