Panasonic Chairman and CEO Joseph M. Taylor Delivers NJIT Commencement Address; Receives Doctor of Science Degree, Honoris Causa

NEWARK, N.J., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America Chairman and CEO Joseph M. Taylor today delivered a moving address at NJIT's 2011 Commencement at the Prudential Center in Newark after receiving an honorary degree.

Taylor has had a 20-year association with the university through programs he helped develop ranging from academic competitions to scholarships.  Through the years Taylor has had personal relationships with more than two dozen NJIT graduates who have become full time employees following commencement.      

More than 2,300 degrees were awarded at the ceremony bringing the total number of degrees awarded by NJIT to more than 72,000.  Inventor, sculptor and entrepreneur Daniel A. Henderson, the CEO of Intellect Wireless, Inc., also received an honorary degree.

In 1991, Taylor, then General Manager, Applied Materials Group at Panasonic, helped found at NJIT the Panasonic Creative Design Challenge and the Panasonic Scholarship Program now in its 20th year  to create "a steady stream of young, smart, energetic science, technology and engineering talent."  The programs were aimed at encouraging high school students, particularly disadvantaged ones, to enter the fields of technology.

To date, more than 70 NJIT graduates have been employed by Panasonic upon graduating.    

"Many of you, I know, have already overcome enormous personal and financial challenges in your quest to reach this day," Taylor said.  "I know there are some of you who have worked multiple, part-time jobs every day to pay your tuition and then you volunteer your 'leftover' time.   I know that so many families did whatever they could to scrape together the financial resources to enable you to attend NJIT.  Education is not cheap in America."

He told the audience that NJIT students have motivated him with their drive to succeed despite all obstacles.  "You have inspired me with your passion for knowledge and concern for others.  You already know what's important in life."  

His advice followed.  Keep your dream alive, Taylor said.  That's what he has learned motivates the most successful people--the likes of Steve Jobs at Apple and investor Warren Buffet, whom he has had the opportunity to meet.  

Take responsibility.  "As you begin your careers, understand that no one is responsible for your success but you," he said.  "None of us is automatically entitled to succeed, not me, not you.  Success only comes from the effort and talent and passion that we apply to the task."

And he told them to ignore pundits, who knock the younger generation with their talk of doom and gloom and declining standards.  "They write about a 'generation of slackers.'  It's nonsense," he said.

Under Taylor's leadership, Panasonic, which is based in Secaucus, will move its headquarters operations to a new site in Newark as part of its effort to transform itself into an innovation leader in green business.  The company's new home in Newark will offer employees easy access to a major mass transit hub and will incorporate energy-savings, water-savings and accessibility throughout its design.  

At the commencement, NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch made note of this move:  "Panasonic's presence in the city that has been home to NJIT for more than 130 years will further energize the upward trajectory of Newark's economy and enhance its role in national and global commerce.

In addition to his role in leading Panasonic's North American operations, Taylor also serves as an Executive Officer of parent company Panasonic Corporation.  In this role, Taylor formulates and executes Panasonic's global business strategy.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America:

Panasonic Corporation of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.  The company develops, manufactures and distributes an extensive range of digital and other electronics products for consumer, workplace and industrial purposes primarily for the U.S. and Canada.  

About New Jersey Institute of Technology:

NJIT, New Jersey's science and technology university, enrolls more than 8,900 students pursuing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 120 programs. The university consists of six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, College of Computing Sciences and Albert Dorman Honors College. U.S. News & World Report's 2010 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities. NJIT is internationally recognized for being at the edge in knowledge in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning. Many courses and certificate programs, as well as graduate degrees, are available online through the Office of Continuing Professional Education.

SOURCE Panasonic