Shawn Gorman '89 of L.L. Bean will deliver the University of New Hampshire commencement address Saturday, May 19, 2018.
Shawn Gorman '89, executive chairman of the board of L.L. Bean, will deliver the University of New Hampshire commencement address Saturday, May 19.
“We’re pleased to welcome another distinguished alumnus back to campus to serve as this year’s commencement speaker,” says UNH President Mark Huddleston. “Shawn’s career path with L.L. Bean and his eventual leadership of one of the world’s most recognizable brands is not only impressive, but inspiring. He took his own advice — always be open to new opportunities and work at a job you love — and I’m confident that message will resonate with our students.”
"I’m really looking forward to celebrating with this year’s graduating class of 2018."
Gorman’s L.L. Bean career began in 1991 when he joined the company’s marketing department as an analyst. After serving a number of leadership positions in marketing, international, e-commerce, partnership marketing and creative, the great grandson of company founder L.L. Bean took over chairman of the board in 2013 and was named executive chair in 2015. His accomplishments include introducing the company to online and email marketing, integrating L.L. Bean’s brand strategies across channels and leading its cobranded credit card company, one of the most successful in the country.
Gorman is also active in the community and serves on the board of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the UNH Foundation’s board of directors. He graduated from UNH with a degree in English.
“I was honored to be asked to deliver this year’s commencement address, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating with this year’s graduating class of 2018,” says Gorman. “College graduation is a significant milestone in a person’s life, and I’m thrilled to share the excitement of that moment with my alma mater.”
