Brian McGrory, editor of the Boston Globe, spoke at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School convocation ceremony on May 17. During his address, McGrory spoke about the importance of character. “People with the highest character come out on top in business,” said McGrory. In addition to giving the Sawyer Business School Address, McGrory also received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
McGrory explained that through many years in business, he has been able to witness firsthand the importance of having good moral character. “Character and strong values mean not cutting corners … being proud of your product … treating colleagues and employees well,” he said.
McGrory gave students advice for maintaining character in business. “Don’t stand still. If you’re satisfied, if you don’t think you’re in any trouble in the business endeavors you enter in the coming years, you’re dead wrong. Someone is gunning for you, with the kind of innovation that you probably can’t predict yet.”
McGrory grew up in the Boston area. He always had the dream to become a newspaper reporter. When he became the editor of the Globe, he knew that his focus had to shift from journalism to more of a business management mindset.
McGrory has been at the Boston Globe for more than 25 years. He has served as Metro editor and columnist, White House correspondent, associate editor and national reporter. The Boston Globe was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in the breaking-news category in 2014 for its coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings, under McGrory’s leadership.
“With your Suffolk education, you are exquisitely prepared for what’s next,” McGrory said. “To know Suffolk is to have a profound respect for what goes on here, to truly appreciate the character of the school and of its students. You have a running start on character and values because your school has instilled them into you.”