Staples' Founder Tom Stemberg Commencement Speaker

(April 17, 2008) President Debra M.Townsley's Office announced today that the Nichols College 2008 Commencement Speaker will be Staples' Founder Thomas G. Stemberg. Stemberg will address the Class of 2008 on May 10th at 10:30 a.m. on the softball field off Center Road.

In addition, Michael J. Vendetti of Dudley, Mass., will receive an Honorary Doctor of Sport Administration degree for his 24 years of dedicated service to the College as coach, athletic director and associate professor.

STEMBERG
Stemberg is a managing general partner with Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, where he focuses on retail and consumer services companies, identifies new entrepreneurial investment opportunities and lends his expertise to assist Highland portfolio companies. He brings to bear his deep understanding of entrepreneurs, new markets, and product innovation to assist companies in realizing growth.

Prior to joining Highland, Stemberg spent 12 years climbing the corporate ladder, first at Jewel's Star Market, then at First National Supermarkets. Stemberg took what he learned in the world of supermarkets and applied the same principles to other markets, pioneering the office superstore industry with the creation of Staples, Inc. in 1986.

Stemberg served as Staples' CEO for sixteen years and chairman for three additional years, driving the company through all stages of its growth, from infancy to more than 2,000 superstores and revenues of $19 billion. His leadership propelled Staples' business growth through a store expansion program, a delivered office products business, an award-winning e-commerce operation and a growing international presence, including the operation of a joint venture with OA 365, a multi-channel office products supplier based in Shanghai, China. He took the company public in 1989.

In addition, Stemberg has founded several new business ventures out of his own frustration as a consumer, including Zoots, a 24-hour dry cleaner with delivery service, and Olly Shoes, a children's retailer which uses computers to scan children's feet and search the store's inventory for a perfect fit. He currently serves on the boards of Blue Tulip, CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), Guitar Center, lululemon athletica (Nasdaq: LULU), PETsMART, Inc. (Nasdaq: PETM) and Pharmaca.

Stemberg earned an A.B. in physical science from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar. He is a trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Hillside School of Marlborough, Massachusetts, which focuses on educating boys with learning differences. 

Stemberg lives with his wife Katherine in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He's the proud father of six sons and three step-daughters, and is a new grandfather.

VENDETTI
Michael J. Vendetti has put his stamp of greatness on Nichols College. His career spans 24 years as a coach, athletic director, and associate professor at the College. He still participates today as a member of the Hall of Fame Committee.

The Leominster native began his Nichols career as the head football coach in 1962, where he compiled an impressive record of 103-83-5. His teams captured the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Championship in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978. In each of those seasons, Vendetti was either the NEFC's Coach of the Year, or Co-coach. In addition, more Nichols football players were given All-Conference awards during his tenure than any other coach in the school's history.

However, football is only one of Vendetti's many interests. He coached track in the early 1960's, assembled a record of 103-114-1, and in 1962, the team captured first place in the Southern New England Conference with an 8-3 record. In 1975 Vendetti succeeded Al Chalmers as Nichols athletics director and developed an excellent intramurals program. He also introduced women's basketball and softball in 1978 and women's field hockey in 1979.

In 1986, Vendetti was named an Honorary Alumnus and in 1996, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. During Homecoming Weekend 2005, more than 60 football players and 12 past football captains, representing the class years of 1962 through 1986, joined Vendetti and his family for the naming of the Michael J. Vendetti Field, the new multipurpose home for Bison football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey.

Vendetti earned a bachelor's degree from Boston University in 1954 and a master's degree from Worcester State College in 1962. He is a lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association and the National Intramural/Recreational Sports Association. He is also a member of the Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

Vendetti is retired and resides in Dudley, Massachusetts, with his wife Joan. They are the parents of three children: Michael, Mark and Paul.