Ryan Edward Handzo, of Phoenix, graduated with the 2011 class of Georgia Institute of Technology at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, on Sunday May 8.
Handzo, a 2007 graduate of Dulaney High School in Timonium, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering, with high honors.
Georgia Tech’s main campus is located in downtown Atlanta. It was founded in 1885, in the depths of the reconstruction era following the American Civil War.
The keynote address for the 2,300 graduates at the 239th commencement ceremonies was delivered by the fourth chief executive officer of Wal-Mart, and Georgia Institute of Technology graduate Michael Terry Duke, 61.
“Since joining Wal-Mart in 1995, Duke has led the logistics, distribution and administration divisions, as well as Wal-Mart U.S…” according to the Georgia Tech newsroom.
Duke challenged the spring 2011 graduating class of Georgia Tech to follow three key ingredients to leadership and use three guideposts as they embark upon their lives and careers.
Duke, who graduated from Georgia Tech in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, remarked that “you can be the most learned… and the best speaker… But you cannot be effective as a leader unless you are trusted…”
He continued that the three key ingredients to leadership are caring, performance and trust and he emphasized the importance of living one’s life as best as you can every single day in an effort to make a difference and contribute to the greater good…
Mr. Duke reflected that the guideposts to making a difference in the world are integrity, live with purpose, and set high expectations of oneself – and then exceed them.
“Do what’s right every single day,” said Mr. Duke as he held forth that one of the most important classes he took at Georgia Tech was a course in business ethics.
“It’s not just about the money. It’s about doing good,” remarked Mr. Duke. “Never sell yourself short. Set the bar higher, then higher…”
Handzo is the son of Tammy and Rob Handzo, and the grandson of Louise Wright Miller of Westminster.
The fourth chief executive officer of Walmart, and Georgia Institute of Technology graduate Michael Terry Duke has challenged the Spring 2011 graduating class of Georgia Tech to follow three key ingredients to leadership and use three guideposts as they embark on their lives and careers… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4394
Last Sunday I had the privilege of witnessing 2,300 proud graduates of Georgia Tech receive their diplomas in the midst of approximately 10,000 of their closest family and fans at the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta.
For me the four-hour ceremony was worth it and the sage and well-prepared remarks by Mr. Duke were almost secondary to the pride I felt as I peered over a sea of black caps searching for my nephew, who received his undergraduate degree.
The opportunity to attend Georgia Tech’s 239th commencement ceremonies was certainly collateralized by being able to tour the campus of the proud institute that was founded in 1885, in the depths of Reconstruction following the Civil War.
It also gave me an opportunity to visit Atlanta, arguably the proud capitol of The South, and to gain a greater insight into the storied traditions of Georgia Tech, one of our nation’s best science, math, and engineering institutions of higher learning.
As for Mr. Duke’s background and address, the Georgia Tech news room pointed-out: “Since joining Walmart in 1995, [Mr.] Duke has led the logistics, distribution and administration divisions as well as Walmart U.S…”
Ryan Edward Handzo, of Phoenix, graduates from Georgia Tech
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84° 65° Tomorrow 
