Uniting optimism and reality

Critics point to the supreme pragmatism that seems to characterize today's college students in contrast to the idealism of former generations. But Bill Novelli, a Penn alumnus and associate executive director of the American Association of Retired Persons, spoke of his career as a lesson that the principles of pragmatism and idealism can -- and should -- be united. About 25 students gathered at the former Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house on Wednesday to hear Novelli's speech, part of the Robert Fox Leadership Series. "I think this Fox Leadership series is a brilliant idea.... One of the things it's supposed to present is career observations, career paths," Novelli said. With this in mind, he presented a history of his work that has made him a national figure --"proof," he said, "that a career path does not have to be a straight line." Novelli began his speech imploring students to accept neither a "boring career" nor "reporting to somebody you don't respect and can't learn from." Novelli expressed his pride in the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. It was "a real battle," he said. "We were trying to change the whole landscape of America.... I felt as if I were in a war." He suggested that intellectual and moral fulfillment, despite being overlooked by young people entering an extremely abundant economy, remains the paramount concern for many who have experienced working life. Novelli gave the students advice that has served him well. "I hope that each one of you, no matter what your orientation, will think of a career in public service," he said. Novelli explained that he was able to use his corporate knowledge and achievement to serve the public interest, adding that it is difficult to cause social change "if you are isolated from the popular media." He said he was lucky in having "got a lot of reward out of virtually every job [he] has held." After establishing himself where the corporate sector and public causes converge, he entered into a second vocational phase in line with his dream "of devoting himself entirely to public service." Overall, Novelli's history was meandering but instructive. Several students attended Wednesday's event after having been impressed by previous Fox Leadership lectures. "I went to other speeches in the series and found them interesting," College senior Charlie Herschel said.