Rindge, New Hampshire, May 19, 2014 – Franklin Pierce University on Saturday awarded an honorary doctorate degree to John K. Castle, chairman and CEO of Castle Harlan, Inc., a New York private equity firm, at the University’s 49th Commencement Exercise.
Castle told the 2014 graduates in his acceptance speech that the intellectual growth, new analytical skills and strengthened character traits their studies at Franklin Pierce have fostered are essential to a productive and successful life.
“That said,” he added, “Let me emphasize that you will face a lifetime of choices, decisions and forks in the road. You will need, at various times, all of the knowledge you have gained, the skills you have sharpened and the resolve you have stiffened while within these halls of academe.
“Nor will that be sufficient, unless you have learned as well the art of continuous learning. Education is not a static thing, over and done with once you have a diploma in hand. It is, and must be, an ongoing, life-long process, and you will have a lot to learn.
“I encourage you to relish the challenge,” Castle added. “Experience is a good teacher, especially if you can learn from your mistakes and those of others. In fact, you will spend most of your life educating yourself about your profession or job, about managing family and professional relationships, and about functioning effectively as a mature and resourceful adult in changing and challenging times.”
Castle holds a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.B.A. as a Baker Scholar with High Distinction from Harvard, and, now, three honorary doctorates. In addition to being chairman and CEO of Castle Harlan, he is chairman of Castle Connolly Medical, publisher of Top Doctors and America’s Top Doctors. He is a life member of the MIT Corporation and was chairman of the board of New York Medical College for 11 years.
The University also awarded an honorary doctorate to Kenneth R. Feinberg, founder of the law firm Feinberg Rozen. Feinberg graduated from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst cum laude and received a law degree with honors from New York University School of Law. He served as Special Master of the Federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and Administrator of One Fund Boston to compensate the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the President John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in Boston.