Arthur C. Anton Sr. Gives Commencement Address

Arthur C. Anton, Sr., a Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100, gave the Commencement Address at Lowell High School in Lowell, MA, on June 3, 2015, where he had graduated as class valedictorian in 1943.

Celebrated for his business leadership in having turned Anton’s Cleaners, the dry-cleaning business started by his father, into the largest operation of its kind in New England, he is a renowned philanthropist. He created initiatives such as Coats for Kids, which has collected, cleaned and distributed some 800,000 coats and Belle of the Ball, a prom-dress drive that distributes dresses to students for their proms.

Anton, who retired as President of Anton’s Cleaners, celebrates his 90th birthday on July 6, and remains active on the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Order of Saint Andrew, besides his continuing role in Leadership 100.

In his address to the 2015 graduating class, Anton lay down four principles. First, “Pay attention to everything 24/7, be in the game always”; second, “Set your goals high”; third, “Do the right thing every time”; and fourth, “Don’t manage, lead!” He ended by saying that he now had a special relationship with the class and that he would be paying attention to their accomplishments and achievements.