William Devin '60 Honorary Degree Citation

May 20, 2012

Few people would know that the word "gentleman" first appeared in written English in the year 1275. But everyone who knows you, Bill Devin, believes that the word was invented for you. Although you are known for your "gentleness," which shares a linguistic root with "gentleman," we also know another Bill: fiercely loyal to your alma mater, intensely supportive of student success, and ferociously protective of those who are disadvantaged by economic or physical circumstances. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us "knock and the door shall be opened." You, Mr. Devin, have always responded to a knock, and someone standing at the threshold of that door has always benefitted.

Your extraordinary successes in the ever more complex world of financial services, capital markets, and stock exchanges might surprise those who know only your quiet personal kindness. And yet your successes are undeniable. You have more than thirty years of experience in the industry, including a long career at Fidelity Investments, where you served as an Executive Vice President of Fidelity Capital Markets and as Vice President and Head Trader/Manager in the Equity Trading Department at Fidelity Management & Research Co. Your years as Vice Chairman of the Boston Stock Exchange were numerous.

You continue your leadership in this work, serving as Chairman of various funds in the family of VALIC funds, and as a Director or a Trustee of numerous other funds. Here, at Stonehill College, you are a long-serving trustee who has expertly guided our own stable financial growth. And it is here, we see mostly your gentle side.

You and your wife Susan have given generously to assist students who could not attend Stonehill without your scholarships. And we recognize that this is an extension of your longstanding commitment to education and to young people. You have served on the Board of Trustees of the Adopt-a-Student Foundation and on the Board of Advisors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. For all your many commitments. Stonehill honored you with its President's Award for Excellence in 1988.

Today we recognize you again--our own "first gentleman." For your willingness to answer when a young person knocks, for your unerring ability to take stock of what really matters, and for your gentle but firm hand in guiding this institution, Stonehill College is proud to bestow upon you, William F. Devin, honoris causa, the degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

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