Remarks From a Distingushed Alum
As a member of the third graduating class, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be selected as this year’s Distinguished Alum of the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration at Long Beach State. But the greater pleasure was serving as this years commencement speaker. What an impressive group. They will have their hands full given the attack on civil servants, but I am confident they will rise to the occasion.
Additionally, I am more than appreciative of the efforts of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in publishing my remarks.
The ICMA link can be found here:
https://icma.org/blog-posts/start-finish-habits-icons-local-public-service
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Well done my friend! Sage advice!
Bravo!!
Congratulations! Great remarks! You are the consummate teacher, mentor and leader! I have always been thankful for and blessed by the time I served under your leadership. Although I didn’t finish college, I learned on the job from your wisdom and leadership how to be an effective public servant.
Thank you!
Laura Roughton
Former Mayor and Council Member
City of Jurupa Valley
Congratulations, Professor Harding ~~ what an honor!
You gave the grads a compelling address.
Love these bits:
“They listened more than they spoke. Their focus was on solving problems.”
“LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT LEAVE IT ON YOUR OWN TERMS LEAVE IT WITH YOUR INTEGRITY INTACT”
Simple, but solid and capable-of-being-easily-retained, advice in there.
LBS obviously made an excellent choice for this year’s commencement.
All the best,
Barbara Sharp
Of Counsel / Law & Motion Briefing Attorney
Morris Law Firm
Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
Northwestern University
Class of 2014
Wonderful! What a great honor. So have spoken so highly about your graduate education, and it is mutual. You did leave all better off, with integrity, and on your own terms.
Cheers my good friend
Jack Meek
Professor Emeritus
College of Law and Public Service
University of La Verne
Hi Steve,
You truly have been on an amazing journey. You have done so much, including being in a rock band. We just added the distinguished alumni award to our annual ceremony about five years ago. You were a great choice and I’m sure your story inspired many of the graduates who were there yesterday. Thank you for sharing.
Kathy Allan-Zeis
Public Policy & Administration
CSU, Long Beach
Congratulations Professor! It’s good to hear some practical and knowledgeable advice for these young professionals!
Sam Gaston
City Manager
City of Mountain Brook, AL
Outstanding commencement address! Your words resonated deeply with me, especially as someone currently navigating a public service career, after spending more than 30 years in the private sector, particularly aviation. The blend of humor, history, and heartfelt insight into government leadership’s true meaning was inspiring and grounding. Your reflections on the art and science of public administration – and the personal responsibility to be invaluable – struck a chord. Thank you for reminding us of the legacy we carry forward and the integrity we must uphold.
Joseph Torres
Economic Development Manager
City of Monterey Park
Profound and very poignant commentary Steve. As someone who works in a university college that offers academic programs in urban planning and public administration, I wholeheartedly concur that the profession requires both interpersonal and technical skills. My best to this year’s graduates.
Edward Bury
Public Information Coordinator
Urban Transportation Center
University of Illinois,Chicago
Steve,
As A 1980 Graduate of that Program…. Well Said Advice for the New Grads!
Especially the part about “….Leaving it Better than You Found it and with Your Integrity….”
Thanks for continuing to be purposeful and productive.
Take Care,
Gary Nordquist
Retired City Manager
“Go South High Spartans”
My response to Gary: ” Go West High Warriors”
That was one of the best speeches I’ve ever read in our field of work. In our field of serving others, serving our community, and trying everyday to make a difference.
If you happen to have any video as well, I would love to watch it.
Thank you for the privilege of being on your list to receive it,
Judson Brown, AICP
Housing Manager
Community Development Agency
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-26)
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Thanks so much for sharing your commencement address. I just finished reading it, and I have to say, it’s one of the most authentic and wise reflections I’ve seen delivered to an MPA graduating class.
Your framing of public administration as both art and science, along with the reminder that finding the “right fit” is a deeply personal journey, really resonated with me. I especially appreciated your candid thoughts on integrity, humility, and the quiet leadership of those who “leave it better than they found it.” That message is needed now more than ever.
Thanks again, Steve. Truly inspiring.
Chris Mann
Interim City Manager
City of Wildomar
Impressive and encouraging words. It provides thoughtful perspective and motivation to the professionals that will hopefully follow the Harding approach to civil democratic support.
Congratulations for the deserving recognition. The integrity you have consistently brought to the profession makes others in the public admin arena proud.
Eric Duyshart
Retired Economic Development Director
City of Pasadena