At a recent oath-taking ceremony, parents and newly licensed professionals witnessed him publicly reprimanding a female colleague because he felt he had not been properly welcomed or attended to upon his arrival. Witnesses also heard him threaten to walk out of the ceremony and invoke the name of someone in a very high position — one of his patrons.
What made the incident particularly disturbing was the setting, which was supposed to be a meaningful occasion for young professionals entering their chosen profession — a mix of art and science — with their proud families watching. Instead, they witnessed a public official go ballistic over a personal whim.
Even more ironic was hearing his speech about professionalism and ethical values when the conduct displayed beforehand seemed inconsistent with those very principles.
The speech itself appeared insufficiently reviewed, even referring to the wrong field while supposedly congratulating the newly licensed professionals in the room.
For newly licensed professionals taking their oath, those occupying positions of authority should model the very values they are asking the next generation to uphold.
As they say, respect is earned and demonstrated in how we treat people, especially those over whom we hold greater institutional power.
Features Reporter
