Rohrer College of Business graduates 335, honors two business leaders

When Rowan University Student Government Association President Joe Chen addressed the William G. Rohrer College of Business Class of 2015 during commencement ceremonies on May 15, he was speaking to his own. And what he had to say no doubt made professors who taught the human resource management major proud.

Chen reminded his classmates that truly successful people understand the importance of teamwork.

“In a technology-laden world that seems so connected, my team involvement consistently reminded me that it is the relationships we build that help us truly be successful,” he said. “There is power, I learned, in connecting—truly connecting—with others . . . As we move on, our personal and professional teams will expand and change. But the successes and opportunities that come from working together with others—and from being connected with others—will sustain and nurture us.”

Chen was among 335 business students who graduated on Friday.

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View video coverage of the ceremony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ITlJPM698

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Among those who addressed the students was Rowan University Board of Trustees Chair Linda Rohrer, who said, “Business is about so much more than paper and numbers. It is about people and community, about building and growing, about contributing and making a difference not just to the bottom line but also to the world.”

Rohrer noted that the ceremony, one of six main ones the University held since Tuesday, was very personal and special, as she thanked the graduates for attending Rowan and the college named for her late father. “You have made me so very proud,” she said.

Commencement speaker Michael Fasulo, a 1982 graduate of Glassboro State College, shared memories of his years here (singling out the Franklin House, then-Dean Leo Beebe and Coach Richard Wackar), advice and a bit of humor. The Sony Electronics President and COO, who stated the institution prepared him well for his career, said, “Individual success is directly linked to expanding one’s knowledge and experience.”

Fasulo, who joined Sony in 1984 as a junior financial analyst and rose consistently through the management ranks to currently run North American operations, encouraged the graduates to be confident, courageous and happy. “(In) the Class of 2015 . . . are many of the future CEOs of this great nation,” he added. He told the class members to start young, be eager, learn everything they can, embrace change, ask why, stay true to their values and celebrate success.

The College of Business presented Fasulo with a Medal of Excellence for Alumni Achievement and awarded a Medal of Excellence for Distinguished Service to Daniel Ruotolo, CPA, in recognition of his service to Rowan, the South Jersey community and the accounting profession. Managing partner of Ruotolo, Spewak & Co., based in Mount Laurel, Ruotolo has trained dozens of Rowan students in accounting and offered internships to 10 to 15 a year, enabling them to obtain real-world experience and develop lasting connections.