Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Provost Carol Folt: First, for the degree, Doctor of Human Letters, Russell A. Boss.
[Applause]
President Jim Yong Kim: Ron Boss, for five decades you have been a loyal Dartmouth son,
driven business leader, avid sailor, proud father, and the Big Green's number one tennis
fan! A true Rhode Islander, you learned to sail
at age three and continue to this day. Raised in the Bay State, you returned following service
in the U.S. Coast Guard to join your family business, the A.T. Cross Company. Rising from
general manager to president and chairman, you worked tirelessly for more than forty
years to make this company the global leader in fine writing instruments.
Your life reveals a sense of obligation to give back to those you care about. Upon your
return to your home state you immersed yourself in civic activities including serving on the
boards of local schools, as chairman of the United Way, and as trustee at Rhode Island
Hospital. Dartmouth has played an integral part in your
life as you have served as Alumni Council president, class head agent, reunion giving
committee chair, and in many other volunteer roles. You also sent two of your three beautiful
daughters to Dartmouth. Your youngest, Allie, lost her battle to cancer and was taken from
us much too soon. In honor of Allie's memory as a star scholar-athlete, you became the
force behind the Alexis Boss Tennis Center, once again giving back to your beloved community.
When the Dartmouth women's tennis team won their first-ever Ivy League title this year,
you heralded the proud victory to alumni and friends throughout the country.
Ron, as you celebrate your 50th class reunion with the great Class of 1961, we proudly recognize
your commitment to family, business, community, and your alma mater as we present you with
the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters.