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Mark Romero, Chairman of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors and Executive Vice President of Brown & Brown Gulf States, advised graduates to remain life-long learners during his address Saturday at Louisiana Tech’s Winter Commencement ceremony.

“Life will open up for you and you will have opportunities to do things you’d never dreamed of today,” Romero said. “Your commitment to embark on obtaining this degree and then following through on that obligation, even when faced with normal and sometimes overwhelming difficulties, reflects the spirit and unshakeable strength of character required to excel in your future endeavors.”

Romero also noted that this class overcame the tests that came from the April 2019 tornado, showing their resiliency and strength in the face of unique challenges. He advised graduates to continue to invest in Louisiana with their knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit.

“You are changing the trajectory of what Louisiana brings for its people,” Romero said. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ All of you will change the world after this day.”

Attaining a degree sets “the stage for a robust and successful life for you going forward,” he said. “It is my hope that many of you will stay in Louisiana to help make our state better for our children and grandchildren, that all of you will support Louisiana Tech and give back in many other ways.”

A resident of New Iberia, Romero is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and MBA. He is a graduate of the Leadership Louisiana Class of 2009 and has held the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) since 2003. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Madison and Benjamin.

The largest Winter Quarter class on record, 395 students, became Louisiana Tech alumni in the Winter 2020 commencement ceremonies. In that group, there were five University Medal recipients, denoting their perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Doctoral degrees were awarded to 11 candidates.

To date, Louisiana Tech University has awarded degrees to 105,788 individuals.

Commencement ceremonies marked the official end to the Winter Quarter at Tech. Spring Quarter classes will begin March 11.