Business Leader Hall Of Fame Honorees Offer Students Advice
Four University of Scranton alumni were honored at the second annual Kania School of Management’s Business Leader Hall of Fame in April. From left: former publisher of the Scranton Times-Tribune George Lynett, Esq. G’71; Susan Swain ’76, co-chief executive officer and president of C-SPAN; and Theodore “Ted” Jadick ’61, vice chairman of Heidrick and Struggles. Honoree Katherine Reilly ’53 was unable to attend the event.
“The world needs more listeners. One thing I learned here is to listen. Listen to your professors, your students, your colleagues. Understand what makes individuals who they are,” said Ted Jadick ’61, vice chairman of Heidrick and Struggles in New York, at the panel discussion for Kania School of Management’s Business Leadership Hall of Fame.
Jadick joined Susan Swain ’76, co-chief executive officer and president of C-SPAN, and George V. Lynett, Esq. G’71, former publisher of the Scranton Times-Tribune and former chief executive officer of Times-Shamrock Communications, in the panel discussion at Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall April 29. They, along with former Scranton School District educator Katherine Reilly ’53, were inducted into the Business Leader Hall of Fame.
“The Business Leader Hall of Fame celebrates the extraordinary success of the University’s mission in Jesuit education and the impact of our graduates on the world,” said Michael Mensah, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management. “The inductees who are participating in this panel, in our opinion, exemplify the success and the best ideals of a Jesuit education.”
The panelist addressed how gratitude, hope and humility have played a vital role in their success. The honorees spoke candidly to the students about the positive impact their Jesuit education has had in both their personal and professional lives.
“Paying it forward is our responsibility. I have learned throughout life that every time you get an opportunity, it opens doors for other ones. Take the opportunities that are presented to you,” said Swain.
The honorees also discussed their spirituality and the ways in which the University’s Jesuit affiliation has influenced making ethical decisions in the workplace and in their daily lives.
“I try to have a Christian conscience. I think that impacts the way you live your life, professionally and in everyday life. You should try to do things the way your conscience tells you to do them,” said Lynett.
John D. Dionne ’86 served as the moderator for the panel discussion. Dionne is a magna cum laude graduate of the University and was an honorary degree recipient in 2010. He is also a past chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Swain, who began working at C-SPAN in 1982, oversees programming for their three television channels, C-SPAN.org and C-SPAN Radio. She has held positions of senior vice president, vice president of corporate communications, producer and associate producer. In December of 2016, she began serving as an independent director at Discovery Communications. She also is the director of the C-SPAN Education Foundation. A two-time winner of the Vanguard Award, the cable industry’s highest professional recognition, Swain has been recognized by her industry as a Cable TV Pioneer. She was one of the first women to enroll at the University when it became co-educational in 1972, and has served as a University Trustee. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Scranton.
Jadick joined Heidrick and Struggles in 1975 as a consultant in the New York office, becoming a partner in 1977 and vice chairman and member of the Office of the Chairman in 2002. He also has served as a member of the executive committee and managing partner of the New York office. In 1997, he earned the John E. Struggles Partnership Award, Heidrick and Struggles’ most prestigious honor, in recognition for consistently demonstrating the highest ethical, partnership, firm building and mentoring behaviors. Jadick has served as a trustee for the University and is a current member of the President’s Business Council.
Lynett is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and College of the Holy Cross. He earned his MBA from the University in 1971 and graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1978. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant. Throughout his 42 years with Times-Shamrock Communications where he worked alongside brothers Ed and Bill, the company grew from a single daily newspaper and AM radio station to daily newspapers serving eight markets, and AM and FM radio stations in five markets. He is a former trustee of the University.
Reilly, who was unable to attend the event, graduated from the University’s Dexter Hanley College with a degree in marketing. She and her sister, Evelyn, were the first two women to enroll in the University’s business school in 1945. Reilly earned her master’s degree in education, and taught for the Scranton school district until her retirement. She and her sister helped to establish the Alumnae Society at Scranton and served as officers for many years. The Reilly Learning Center Commons, a renovated space at the University’s Weinberg Memorial Library, was named in honor of Reilly and her siblings, Joe and Evelyn Reilly.
In addition to the panel discussion, the Business Leader Hall of Fame events included a question and answer session and a meet and greet with current students. The evening concluded with an award dinner and ceremony for the honorees.
