NEWPORT, R.I. – For 25 years, Frank Coletta has been greeting southern New Englanders each morning as host of television’s “NBC 10 News Sunrise” show. This afternoon, he greeted the Salve Regina University community as the “host” of their Convocation ceremony, accepting an honorary doctorate and offering simple words of advice to the incoming freshman class.
“Simplicity is my motto,” Coletta told his audience of Salve Regina trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students and special guests. As an experienced journalist who has witnessed incredible changes in technology, Coletta suggested to his audience that they slow things down every once in awhile.
“Learn to value the beauty of nature,” he said. “Use caution online and unplug yourself at least once a day. Understand the awesome power of words.”
Coletta urged members of the Class of 2014 to always value their privacy. The award-winning journalist also warned them that web sites like “Google” and “Wikipedia” did not equate to acceptable academic research.
“Try to take time and embrace quiet moments, for that is where great ideas are born,” he said. “The true measure of a person’s character is doing the right thing even though you know no one is watching.”
Salve Regina’s annual Convocation ceremony traditionally welcomes students to the new academic year, and was held beneath a tent on the lawn of Wakehurst Student Center. President Jane Gerety presented Coletta with an honorary doctorate of humane letters and offered her own words of advice to students.