Wade College, on Friday held their commencement ceremony for the Class of 2012. WADE in all respects,  is responsible for much of the young talent we see in the industry today, not just in the DFW area, but everywhere. In fact a student of Wade  just received a mention in Italian Vogue, which says a lot considering the student has yet to graduate.

With a room full of extraordinary student power, Wade  presented Jan Strimple with it’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  It was fitting to see a room full of extraordinary students, as well as Jan Strimple who was prepared to send them off with one more lesson, A Life lesson, that will in hopes move them in Success, Community, and  to live every dream they have!

John R. Conte, Vice President of Education, introduced Jan Strimple  with an excerpt from ” Internal Affairs”  a 2010 Dallas Morning News Article by Jason Sheeler, in which Strimple  shared her distaste for an Intern  who spent the majority of her time texting on a phone rather than working. The coveted position of being a “Jan-tern” was clearly wasted on this little girl, which Strimple made clear in her comments.
I might add, in spite of a miss spelling,  I  as well was mentioned in the article, however with a much warmer tone. It makes me  think back to when  I had that great experience of being a “Jan-tern” even for only one day, I couldn’t help but have the feeling of “wow I survived  a Jan event”, Well  considering the speech given at Wade College,  it wasnt that I survived the event, It’s the fact that I Learned from it, that left me with the full feeling of accomplishment that day. To watch the teacher who was at hand mastering what she is known for was a  moment that to this day, has to be among the Greatest lessons of my personal College experience, I was lucky to have landed a seat in “that classroom”.

A quote from Stimple’s speech pretty much summed up what an education in fashion or otherwise is all about, “Style we celebrate, but its Void without Substance”. As many of us former  fashion students, we know how special landing a Strimple intern spot is, or evening  attending a Strimple Show,  such as Fashion’s Night Out’s outdoor fashion show at Highland Park Village, Strimple in many ways, is the  personification that Hard Work is yet another great lesson to master, and with hard work comes the substance that contributes to our celebrated  industry.

An education, and a consistent state of learning is absolutely critical to make it anywhere in life, and more so in our Industry that tends to be ever-changing at lightning speed.

In fact, I myself have been in the presence of individuals who see an education in fashion as frivolous as the industry itself, however oddly enough tend to be found in the very positions they are shunning, and shouting to everyone “im in fashion, im in fashion”  or rather just celebrating style  and lacking extreme substance, and more so than not all fall victim to their self-made facade  that they are above anyone  and everyone, which clearly  the reality of having a resume as fake as their Birkins are now threatened by those who were seated with tassel adorned hats,  and  hearing  the wise words spoken by  Strimple.

Another great lesson to be learned by the students who will soon find themselves in our industry is “there is no one you are better than, and no one you are lesser than” Strimple  so eloquently stresses, learn from each other, a lesson that so many forget, and Strimple put it right at the top of her agenda, which only adds to the great teacher that for so many, including myself, Jan has been.

“If you think your education stops here, you’re a fool!”  Jan can’t help but put forth to the students, encouraging everyone to use their education in all aspects of their life, and by doing so they create new lessons to be learned, to add to the leadership possibilities an education offers.

Strimple also stresses the importance of Mentors,  “follow those you best want to emulate”. To see firsthand why they are succeeding, these classrooms are what teach the most. This rings true for me given the very fact that my attendance to Wade’s graduation was based  on my invite  by a  person whom I desire to emulate.  To have  mentors is to be  part of a certain community , or may in fact open a door to one, which is equally  enriched with lessons. Strimple, also explained how  community grows you in virtue that we are not one, we are a part of…Giving back, is a great tool in the master class of life, and through community come great leaders. What you put out in the world will come back to  you to in more ways than one. Strimple’s work with AIDS organizations as well  with the City Of Dallas is living proof of this lesson, she was now leading by example to the graduates.

A commencement ceremony is special for everyone who earned it, through the hard work students day after day put themselves through in order to make their presence felt in our industry, as well as learn all aspects of the jobs at hand to ensure their future is a great achievement. And having someone like Jan Strimple send them off with words enriched with thought-provoking lessons, not only completed the ceremony it complemented it with passion and purpose. Even I left feeling enriched and motivated,   I was thrilled to have been  present  at Wade College’s Graduation, and   look forward to working with the grads of Wade College in the  industry. Congratulations to the Class of 2012!