Summer 2001

Business leader receives honorary degree, delivers commencement remarks

During the 90th spring university commencement, Loyola presented Gerald N. Gaston, a 1965 graduate, with an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration. After the presentation, the business leader delivered the commencement remarks at the afternoon ceremony.

Gaston has a long and distinguished career. Most recently he served as vice chair, CEO, and president of American Bankers Insurance Group in Miami, Fla. During his 22-year tenure, he guided the insurance conglomerate to a position of strength and respectability on Wall Street and other international financial markets. So it was appropriate that Gaston outlined what he thought were ingredients for a successful life. His remarks were candid and well received by the graduates.

First, he told the class that success required a mental commitment. In order to be successful, one must expect success. "There's a big difference," Gaston disclosed, "between playing to win and playing not to lose." Intelligence and education is only part of the package, he allowed. If they were the only elements to success all well educated and bright people would be successful. Gaston relayed what he believed is the main deterrent to personal and professional success. "There's nothing more divisive than uncontrolled emotions. It causes people to pick and choose sides. Then everyone seems to forget what the problem was in the first place."

Gaston said it is people who make others successful by sharing successes and not dwelling on failures. "Smart, successful folks never distance themselves from the crowd. They become part of it. They hold their friends close and their enemies closer." Gaston closed by encouraging the graduates to "make a sure you have a positive connection with everyone you know and meet."

A generous supporter of Loyola, in 1999 he established the Gerald N. Gaston Eminent Scholar Chair in Business, and in 2001 he established the Gerald N. Gaston Distinguished Professorship in Science and Religion.