The Choices You Make Have Power
CHOOSE WELL: Honorary Doctorate recipient Prof Anthony Staak is capped by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo
Thursday, 10 April 2025
Honorary Doctorate Recipient Prof Anthony Staak had a simple message for the graduating class of 2025, “Your success is determined by the choices you make.”
Staak says many of the choices he made has culminated in him being on the stage receiving this latest honour,
Staak joined the then-Peninsula Technikon in 1982 when he assumed the position of Head of Department in Electrical Engineering. He retired after 37 years and was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the time.
The former DVC had the hall in stitches as he recalled making a collect call to the then DVC of the Peninsula Technikon to receive a job offer, because he didn’t want to incur the cost of an expensive international call.
He described weighing up his career choice options carefully, eventually deciding to join Peninsula Technikon because it was a new university with revolutionary teaching methods, which placed the students at the centre of learning.
Staak was integral in ensuring affordable textbooks were developed and that supplementary academic support was embedded into the curricula.
He told the packed hall of Engineering graduates that many of the choices made by those staff members in 90s and the 2000s laid the foundation for the strong university which CPUT currently is.
“The choices of those individuals have put this institution on a trajectory to being a leading university of technology,” he said.
Staak encouraged the students to work hard and commit to the choices they make.
“Give careful consideration to the choices you make. Strive to make wise choices, choices that stay true to your morals and values and that are aligned with your goals. You have the power to influence your life through the choices that you make."
CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo who worked alongside Staak for many years commended the former DVC for his meticulous work ethic and for still being willing to assist- long after retiring.
“As an institution we are humbled that you accepted this honour. Your contribution is etched into the CPUT,” he said.
Written by Lauren Kansley
Email: kansleyl@cput.ac.za
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