Stetson University alumna Yvonne Chang, a successful Disney executive, learned the keys to success from her parents: Get an education, live life with integrity, have a strong work ethic, and give back to others.

“Money or big inheritances can be taken away or squandered, but an education is a foundation that no one can dismantle,” they told her.

Chang, MBA ’09, shared her personal story Wednesday in an inspirational speech for new and returning students, faculty and staff at Opening Convocation – the official start to the 2012-13 academic year.

Born in Havana, Cuba, to parents who had emigrated from China and then fled Cuba in search of the American dream, Chang grew up in a family that faced incredible challenges. Her parents entered the United States with no money, no support system and not speaking English. They worked seven days a week, at minimum-wage jobs.

“But, like all good Disney stories, ours has a happy ending,” she said.

Chang’s parents were good cooks and eventually were able to operate a small and successful restaurant of their own. Their dedication and sacrifice made it possible for Chang and her siblings to attend college. Her father attended Wednesday’s Convocation ceremony.

After a career as an electrical engineer, Chang has worked at the Walt Disney Company since 1998 and currently serves as director of Operations Integration for Disney Vacation Club. She and her husband are active in the central Florida community, and she has championed inclusiveness and diversity in her work and life. Chang is a member of the School of Business Administration Board of Advisors and helped develop Stetson’s Strategic Map.

In 2009, Chang graduated from Stetson’s Executive Master of Business Administration program – an experience she treasures as two of the best years of her life.

“I met and worked closely with faculty members who wanted to get to know me as an individual and were interested in my personal story,” she said. “They truly wanted to better understand why I chose to come back to school after so many years, what my strengths and passions were and, very importantly, my areas of opportunities and where I needed the most development and growth.”

As the new academic year begins, Chang challenged the Class of 2016 and returning students to embrace Stetson’s new core values of personal growth, intellectual development and global citizenship – the same family values that made her a success.

“How will you embrace these values and build your own legacy?” she asked the students. “My fellow Hatters, I wish you a magical journey here at Stetson and for many exciting decades beyond.”

The tradition of Opening Convocation, which goes back to the 16^th century, was rekindled at Stetson this year after a one-year hiatus. Students sat together by class year at the Edmunds Center and had an opportunity to sign an Honor Pledge promising to abide by the highest standards of integrity and honesty in academic work.

This year’s McEniry Award winner Terry Farrell, professor of Biology, drew on his expertise to explain to the students that humans are made up half from genetics and half from experience. It’s important, Farrell said, to try new things and to interact with people who support you (as well as to support your friends in their strengths). For that reason, the first semester at Stetson is perhaps the most important.

President Libby said: “Today’s Convocation symbolizes the coming together of the Stetson community to usher in a new academic year, to affirm our beliefs and values, to celebrate the university’s goal of enabling students to not just be successful in what they do but to enable them to lead lives with meaning and significance.”

By Cindi Brownfield, director of News & Media Relations