“Leadership Has To Be For A Good Purpose" Stuart Reese Tells Springfield College Grads

Stuart H. Reese, chairman, president and chief executive officer of MassMutual

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 18, 2008 – “Leadership is serving people in such a way that they choose to follow you with the result of improvement in human condition,” Stuart H. Reese, chairman, president and chief executive officer of MassMutual, told graduates of Springfield College’s bachelor’s degree programs this morning, at the college’s 122nd commencement, at the MassMutual Center, in Springfield, Mass.

“To me, leadership has to be for a good purpose, or it’s not leadership. We need a new noun in the dictionary, ‘misleaders.’ Taking people in the right direction is what distinguishes leaders from misleaders,” Reese said.

“You have two choices when you get up every day, you’re either going to lead, or you’re going to mislead…Every time you touch someone in any way, you’re leading,” he said.

At the ceremony, Springfield College awarded honorary doctor of humanics degrees to Reese and Rev. Leo James Hoar, Springfield College’s associate Catholic chaplain, who has served the college since 1984.

Springfield College has, historically, awarded honorary degrees to a few outstanding individuals who, by their character and accomplishments, personify the college’s guiding philosophy, humanics. The philosophy emphasizes the dedication of spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others.

In today’s ceremonies, the college awarded 686 bachelor’s degrees. Yesterday morning, the college awarded 436 master’s degrees, three certificates of advanced graduate study, and one doctoral degree in ceremonies on Naismith Green on the Springfield campus.

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