1998 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony A
Devereaux, W. Anderson
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.)
Orator: Patterson, Stephen E.
Citation:
ENCAENIA, MAY, 1998
WILLIAM A. DEVEREAUX
to be Doctor of Letters
The University of New Brunswick is fortunate to have thousands of loyal alumni and alumnae. But among them all, none is more steadfast in his loyalty to the institution than Andy Devereaux. He is a driving force among alumni in Boston, Massachusetts, where he, his wife, and their two sons have lived for eighteen years.
Andy Devereaux has two UNB degrees: a BA in Psychology and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, he went on to complete Harvard Business Schools' Advanced Management Program, and then went to work, first with the New Brunswick Telephone Company and then with Fundy Cablevision Ltd. In 1980, he and his family moved to the Boston area where he joined American Cablesystems Corporation with responsibility for engineering and technical operations functions. He eventually emerged as Vice-President Engineering and Executive Vice-President involved in acquisitions and finance. When the company was taken over by Continental Cablevision in 1988, Mr. Devereaux formed American Capital Company to initiate and manage investments in telecommunications and information services. He is interested in venture capital operations, taking a chance on promising young companies and selling his interest when they have succeeded. Today he is chairman, CEO, managing director, or a partner in more than a dozen companies specializing in radio and television broadcasting, cablevision, software development, the internet, and medical technology. His business interests extend throughout New England.
His approach to business is very much Andy Devereaux's approach to a lot of other things. He loves new ideas, and he is willing to invest in them. UNB's Alumni Association has been a principal beneficiary. He kick-started the Alumni News Magazine by funding an alumni survey to determine what graduates wanted. He financed a four-year pilot project known as the Alumni Admissions Program, now a fully integrated part of the University's recruitment strategy. Perhaps more than any other graduate of this institution, he has focused his energies and interest in the Alumni Association, believing that the University itself requires the vigorous, long-term commitment of its graduates if it is to survive and thrive in a competitive world. In recognition of his outstanding support, the Association presented him with the Alumni Award of Honour in 1997.
Even on the personal side, the UNB connection is strong. Andy and his wife Ann met here as students, and share their loyal attachment to their Alma Mater. They have become regulars on the Alumni Association's annual European tour and a matchless pair of UNB boosters. They love sailing, and Andy looks forward to racing his boat in this year's Boston to Bermuda event.
Above all, mixed with his business success and pride in his school, Andy Devereaux is a down to earth, unpretentious, and generous human being. Through the Devereaux Foundation, he has funded numerous charitable causes with special attention to youth leadership development and scholarship. His response to UNB's Venture Campaign was immediate, with no strings attached. In all he does, he exhibits a joy in life and generosity of spirit that is an inspiration to his friends and colleagues. Today he receives the University's highest honour, and with it the symbolic yet heartfelt thanks of the many he has helped.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
WILLIAM A. DEVEREAUX
to be Doctor of Letters
The University of New Brunswick is fortunate to have thousands of loyal alumni and alumnae. But among them all, none is more steadfast in his loyalty to the institution than Andy Devereaux. He is a driving force among alumni in Boston, Massachusetts, where he, his wife, and their two sons have lived for eighteen years.
Andy Devereaux has two UNB degrees: a BA in Psychology and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, he went on to complete Harvard Business Schools' Advanced Management Program, and then went to work, first with the New Brunswick Telephone Company and then with Fundy Cablevision Ltd. In 1980, he and his family moved to the Boston area where he joined American Cablesystems Corporation with responsibility for engineering and technical operations functions. He eventually emerged as Vice-President Engineering and Executive Vice-President involved in acquisitions and finance. When the company was taken over by Continental Cablevision in 1988, Mr. Devereaux formed American Capital Company to initiate and manage investments in telecommunications and information services. He is interested in venture capital operations, taking a chance on promising young companies and selling his interest when they have succeeded. Today he is chairman, CEO, managing director, or a partner in more than a dozen companies specializing in radio and television broadcasting, cablevision, software development, the internet, and medical technology. His business interests extend throughout New England.
His approach to business is very much Andy Devereaux's approach to a lot of other things. He loves new ideas, and he is willing to invest in them. UNB's Alumni Association has been a principal beneficiary. He kick-started the Alumni News Magazine by funding an alumni survey to determine what graduates wanted. He financed a four-year pilot project known as the Alumni Admissions Program, now a fully integrated part of the University's recruitment strategy. Perhaps more than any other graduate of this institution, he has focused his energies and interest in the Alumni Association, believing that the University itself requires the vigorous, long-term commitment of its graduates if it is to survive and thrive in a competitive world. In recognition of his outstanding support, the Association presented him with the Alumni Award of Honour in 1997.
Even on the personal side, the UNB connection is strong. Andy and his wife Ann met here as students, and share their loyal attachment to their Alma Mater. They have become regulars on the Alumni Association's annual European tour and a matchless pair of UNB boosters. They love sailing, and Andy looks forward to racing his boat in this year's Boston to Bermuda event.
Above all, mixed with his business success and pride in his school, Andy Devereaux is a down to earth, unpretentious, and generous human being. Through the Devereaux Foundation, he has funded numerous charitable causes with special attention to youth leadership development and scholarship. His response to UNB's Venture Campaign was immediate, with no strings attached. In all he does, he exhibits a joy in life and generosity of spirit that is an inspiration to his friends and colleagues. Today he receives the University's highest honour, and with it the symbolic yet heartfelt thanks of the many he has helped.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
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