As the month of November has come to be associated with the theme of “thankfulness,” it is a naturally opportune time for the Opportunity Scholars program within the David Eccles School of Business to host its annual Gratitude Luncheon.

The event is an opportunity for first-generation business students to gather alongside program directors and connect with donors who are vital to their continuing education.

Much of the discussion at the 2024 Gratitude Luncheon revolved around messages of perseverance, role models, and public service.

Event emcee Anfissa Silva, an Opportunity Scholars advisory board member, spoke of immigrating from her native Brazil to the United States as a young girl, and the difficulties she had in learning English — before ultimately graduating from the University of Utah, in part thanks to her own participation in Opportunity Scholars.

“I never thought that this was possible for me. College just wasn’t for me,” she said. “Since that time, I’ve enjoyed a rewarding career in public accounting and private equity and industry, and that just wouldn’t have been possible without this program.”

She went on to praise current participants for overcoming the obstacles they have faced in their own lives while pursuing a higher education: “We are so incredibly proud of you. Earning a scholarship and being part of the Opportunity Scholars program is no small feat. … Right here at the Eccles School, you have shown resilience, ambition, and heart.”

Jason Atherton, Associate Director of Belonging Cohorts, then led attendees in an interactive activity on gratitude, asking them to arrive at one- or two-word answers to a pair of questions:

• What is one thing or person that has positively impacted your life this year, and how has it made a difference for you?
• When you face challenges, what or who helps you feel supported or hopeful?

The highlight of the afternoon, though, was the keynote address from Ifo Pili, City Manager of West Valley City.

A former football player who starred as a defensive lineman for Brigham Young University before going on to a professional career in the NFL with the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots, Pili amused the luncheon participants with a few jokes and humorous anecdotes from his participation in the BYU vs. Utah “Holy War” rivalry, but he truly captivated the rapt audience when he began speaking passionately about making a transition into public service.

His narrative centered around his time as City Manager of Las Cruces, N.M., where a lively staff discussion about the best burgers in town led to him learning the Spanish word “cariño,” which roughly translates to “affection” or “dear” depending on the context, though he noted its actual meaning is more intangible in conveying being possessed of love and heart.

That word, Pili explained, became a North Star for his efforts in government, adding that he adopted it in direct opposition to “the worst advice I ever got” — not to get emotionally attached to the work.

“You have to fall in love with the people that you serve. … To me, that’s the only way to be successful,” he said. “As you go through your various careers, you have to love what you’re doing. There has to be something bigger than yourself.”

The goal of the Opportunity Scholars Program at the Eccles School is to support and enhance the educational experience of first-generation business students as they progress toward graduation. For more information, visit Eccles.Link/opportunity-scholars.