Mount St. Mary’s University seniors in the Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business affirmed the importance of formation in ethical leadership in the university’s mission by taking part in an annual ethics pledge signing ceremony. The event included remarks on ethics from the university and business professional perspectives.
In brief remarks, Provost Boyd Creasman, Ph.D., shared that in entering a partnership with a company a few years ago, a company representative said that they like hiring employees from universities like the Mount. “It means they are hiring employees who do things the right way, the ethical way,” Creasman said. “Why wouldn’t companies want people with a moral compass? Our students benefit from the Mount brand of being ethical leaders.”
Laurence Downes, retired chairman and CEO of NJ Resources, presented remarks from the business professional’s perspective. When he began working after earning a master’s degree, he “viewed the world through numbers.” As he advanced in his career, he began to see his work as a vocation. “I learned that business is 
not just about numbers, capital investments and cash flows,” Downes said. “The purpose is to meet the needs of people and to serve the greater good.”
“Business and ethics go hand in hand, and faith, trust and accountability should be core values” he added. “Make sure in tough times that you are candid with yourself and others.”
Downes concluded his remarks by reciting the conclusion of the poem “What Is Success?” by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To know even 
one life has breathed easier because you have lived – This is to have succeeded.
Several members of the Class of 2024 also participated in the ceremony with Scott Seeker serving as master of ceremonies, Annie McQuay offering the opening prayer, and Andrea Cabrera-Vargas leading the responsive reading of the pledge and call for signing.