University Times

At right: Raymond W. Smith, chair of investment banking firm Rothschild, Inc., and a Katz Graduate School of Business alumnus, was the keynote speaker at the 33rd annual honors convocation, which recognizes student achievement, outstanding alumni and faculty and staff accomplishments, and doubles as a celebration of Pitt’s founding on Feb. 28, 1787.

Smith, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree, offered a host of life lessons in is address “Heisenberg’s ‘Certainty’ Principle,” a reference to the phenomenon in physics where in some instances peripheral vision is superior to direct sight. “So, look away occasionally at something outside your realm, something different, something irrelevant and every so often you will find order; beauty, even — and if you’re lucky — truth,” Smith told those who gathered Feb. 27 at Carnegie Music Hall.

Below: Kathy Humphrey, vice provost and dean of students, lends a hand to senior Ryan Haddad, who received a student leadership award and accepted the honor on behalf of all student leaders.