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Linda Gooden, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions, tells graduates at YSU’s fall commencement that as “millennials,” they “hold the power to make the world a better place.”
YSU fall commencement ceremony is bittersweet for twins
By Bob Jackson
YOUNGSTOWN
Sisters Brandice and Candice Thomas couldn’t wait for Sunday to get here, but they aren’t necessarily looking forward to what’s coming next.
The 24-year-old twins, who go by Brandi and Candi, were among more than 600 graduates who received degrees during fall commencement ceremonies at Youngstown State University. Brandi accepted a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, while Candi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications.
For the sisters, both 2005 graduates of Warren Harding High School, graduating from college together seemed only natural.
“I never thought about not doing it together,” said Brandi. “Everything we’ve ever done has always been together.”
Still, their paths almost didn’t cross on the same graduation stage. Candi took summer classes this past summer, but her sister didn’t.
“If I had gone to summer school, I would have graduated in the spring and we wouldn’t have been here together today,” Brandi said.
Because they’ve spent their entire lives growing up and going to school together, venturing into the future is somewhat daunting for the sisters because it will mean that, for the first time, they’ll each be going it alone. Just the thought of that, and actually talking about it, brought the twins near tears.
“We’re sisters and we love each other no matter what, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do,” Candi said. “I would not want her to stay here, just to stay with me, and be holding her back.”
Brandi said she’s headed to Ocean City, Md., where she hopes to begin working with the local police department. Her ultimate goal is to become a juvenile- probation officer.
Candi, who recently completed an internship with 21 WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, is still looking for a job but wants to get into the editing and production end of television. Her goal is to one day make a TV commercial that airs during the Super Bowl.
“That’s my goal, to be that good,” she said.
“Yeah, it would take about 10 seconds to make you a millionaire,” her sister said, laughing.
With that, the sisters shared a last pre-graduation hug before going off to join their respective schools for the ceremony.
The featured speaker for the event was Linda Gooden, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems and Global Solutions business area. She also is an officer of Lockheed Martin Corp.
IS&GS, formed in 2007 as one of four principal business areas within Lockheed Martin, provides integrated technology solutions, systems and services to support worldwide missions for civil, defense, intelligence and other government customers. It operates in all 50 states and about 20 countries, and generated nearly $10 billion in sales in 2010.
“I think of YSU as the first step of my life’s journey,” said Gooden, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer technology from YSU in 1977. She entered school intending to become a teacher but had a change of heart when she walked past the university’s computer lab and saw the monstrous computers it contained.
From that point, she developed an interest in information technology and made that her life’s work. She completed post-baccalaureate studies at San Diego State University, and she has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of business administration from the University of Maryland, University College.
In 2011, Gooden was inducted into the Career Communications Hall of Fame, and in 2010, Fortune magazine named her one of the 50 most powerful women in business.
Gooden said she was inspired by several business leaders, including the late Steve Jobs, who created Apple Corp. She shared six lessons that she gleaned from his life and approach to business:
Be committed to excellence;
Keep it simple;
Be involved in every aspect of your organization;
Inspire those around you;
When you get knocked down, get back up; and
Changing the world once is never enough.
“Inspiration is a powerful force,” she said. “One that every leader should strive to master.”