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“Commencement means the beginning,” Paul Damico '86 told the Johnson & Wales Class of 2016 on Saturday, May 21. “Today marks the beginning of your career.”

Damico, the North American president of Focus Brands, Inc., a franchisor and operator of food service brands including Carvel, Cinnabon and Moe's Southwest Grill, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Business Administartion in Restaurant, Food & Beverage Management and delivered this year's commencement address.

“As you leave here and start a job, my hope for you is that job becomes a career you absolutely love; and then that career, over time, becomes a calling for you,” Damico continued, “because that's what happened to me.”

Student speaker Jenna Boersma '16 also praised her fellow graduates for all of their hard work. “To the students who are also parents, I commend you. To the students who are also full-time employees, I commend you. To the fellow students who are also student-athletes, I commend you. To each and every one of you who get up each day ready to face challenges and possible rejections, I commend you,” she said.

In addition to Damico's honorary degree, 404 undergraduate degrees were awarded on the North Miami Campus.

ALL PHOTOS: DAVID MUIR