William E. Giblin, nationally recognized leader in the textile field, dedicated supporter and loyal alumnus of this University, you have helped to shape the vital futures of both your profession and your alma mater.   

President and chief executive officer of Tweave, Inc., you have long been a clear and resonant voice in the world of textiles.  In a variety of capacities, you have contributed your invaluable expertise and experience to promote the industry, serving as chair of the National Textile Association, treasurer of the Northeastern Textile Foundation, and member of the Board of Governors of the Northern Textile Association. Your extensive involvements have included tenure as the vice chair of the UMass Dartmouth Textile Advisory Council and membership on the boards of the Carving Studio of Vermont, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and the American Association of Textile Technologies.  

For many years this University has also been the beneficiary of your principled and progressive leadership.  Appointed to the University’s Board of Trustees in 1994, you served for ten years, part of that time as the Board’s vice chair.  You also worked on committees of central importance to this institution, such as the Development Committee and the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs.

You filled as well the role of chair of both the Trustee Governance Committee and the Committee on Administration, Finance, and Audit, and you continue to serve as a member of the UMass Dartmouth Foundation.  Your interest in the welfare and destiny of the school has never flagged, and you have generously donated countless hours of your time to ensure that it continues to pursue its goal of educational excellence and to fulfill its role as a cultural resource for the region.  

In recognition of your many years of balanced and graceful leadership, of your insightful and effective guidance, and of your profound commitment to mapping this school’s route to distinction, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is immensely grateful and proud to confer upon a favorite son the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.