South Charlotte Weekly Samples
NFL owner gives grads key to success
PITTSBURGH — Hedge fund manager David Tepper broke records last month when buying the Carolina Panthers for $2.2 billion, the highest amount ever paid for a NFL franchise.
The new Panthers owner reflected on his family life, professional development, and philanthropic philosophy in delivering the commencement address at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.
Tepper encourages students to consider gratitude, a value he learned facing challenges as a father and son.
Presented with serious family difficulties throughout his childhood, Tepper understands the value of recognizing gratitude. In an emotional confession to the audience, Tepper stated he experienced physical abuse from his father growing up. However, Tepper looks beyond, finding his own sense of kindness. He states his greatest accomplishment in life is breaking his family’s cycle of physical abuse by being the father he hoped to be as a child.
Tepper highlighted the importance of a strong work ethic, a skill he further developed through his academic and professional experiences.
Growing up in a working class family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tepper understood the need to work for a college education. He applied to McDonald’s and was later rejected, he worked as a short-order cook deli, he sold knives door-to-door and worked as a union worker in a bakery. These jobs and his position at the campus library allowed him to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with an economics degree.
Tepper then worked at a bank, unsuccessfully applied to Goldman Sachs and ended up working at Republic Steel after receiving his degree. Tepper said he learned the most when the steel company was going under. This experience got him a job at a mutual fund specializing in distressed companies, and later in the door of Goldman Sachs, where he quickly advanced.
Tepper founded American hedge fund Appaloosa Management in 1993, recognizing and understanding the work ethic that eventually led him to succeed.
Tepper advocates the importance of giving, a philosophy that he learned from his father. Working 60 hours a week to make ends meet, Tepper’s father supported his family while maintaining his devotion to philanthropy.
In his commencement address, Tepper said his father “gave even when his family didn’t have enough.” He followed this practice throughout his early years, and continues to follow the philosophy today.
Tepper gives to those less fortunate today, taking advantage of his $11 billion economic privilege. His philanthropic focuses include education, hunger and poverty, giving hundreds of millions away to various charities.
Tepper highlighted qualities that Carolinians can expect him to maintain as owner of the Carolina Panthers throughout his address. As a family man, businessman, and philanthropist who has overcome extraordinary challenges earning every dimension of his success, we can expect Tepper to bring a profound sense of commitment, progress and heart to the Carolinas.
Page 4a - South Charlotte Weekly - June 8, 2018
Ahead of the class
Providence High earns most scholarships.
CHARLOTTE — Providence High School’s Class of 2018 received 325 scholarship offers, totaling more than $17.3 million. The amount is $3 million more than last year’s graduating class and the most among Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.
Principal Tracey Harrill told the 507 graduates June 11 at Bojangles’ Coliseum that the true measure of a school isn’t test scores.
“It’s how well equipped our students are with skills to be responsible, think and create, show good character, speak right — and yes, calculate,” she said. “Probably most of all, persevere in times of a challenge that sets them apart in college and the world of work.”
Valedictorian Joseph Jegier recounted academic challenges as well as unforgettable high school memories.
Jegier said he would miss Providence football games, theater productions and spirit weeks.
Jegier identified talents, skills and qualities developed at Providence as personal defining factors, as opposed to GPA scores.
“Providence has shaped who you’ve become, it has prepared you to create, to lead, to change the world in front of you,” Jegier told classmates.
Graduation speaker Claire Su encouraged students to consider the acronym, Tpose.
“Thank those who helped you get this far,” Su said. “Pursue your goals vigorously, Open your mind to new ideas. Sleep every now and them. Enrich your life and the lives of those around you. So go out Class of 2018 and change the world while you Tpose.”
Friday, June 22 - Vol. 18 - No. 25
Fan Watches 'Infinity War' 59 times
CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte resident has trended on Twitter because he has documented seeing “Avengers: Infinity War” 59 times in theaters since its April 27 release.
He is known as Nem: The Infinity Watcher on Twitter (#nemraps) and has accumulated approximately 23,000 followers since joining the social media platform in August 2013.
Nem: The Infinity Watcher is not afraid of expression. He is a very active Twitter member, tweeting personal thoughts, engaged responses and lighthearted experiences at random.
Nem created his most notable tweet on April 27 when he notified the Twittersphere he had seen “Avengers: Infinity War” for the first time. However, one viewing was not enough for Nem. He posted follow-up tweets acknowledging each additional viewing he attended.
“Debating on whether or not I watch it for a 4th time 2moro, or spend actual time with my family,” he tweeted April 29.
His dedication to “Avengers: Infinity War” has led him to see the film 59 times as of June 18, featured on Twitter through a colorful string of thoughts and selfies.
His love for Marvel Entertainment and film has not gone unnoticed. Nem has been recognized by Marvel fans, verified comic-related Twitter accounts, media channels and even by IMAX.
The IMAX team felt inspired by fans like Nem and on June 7, they granted him 50 free IMAX tickets to keep the streak alive.
Friday, June 22 - Vol. 18 - No. 25