John Sall, one of the six co-founders and executive vice president of SAS Institute, Incorporated, of Cary, NC, gave the keynote address to the 2004 masters graduates of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at the 25th annual hooding ceremony held on Sunday, May 9, in Scott Concert Hall of the Rogers Fine Arts Center.

The hooding ceremony featured the hooding of 72 graduates who received the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and 14 who received the Master of Trust and Investment Management (MTIM) degree. This was only the second year of the awarding of the MTIM degree.

Sall challenged the graduates as he shared his experiences in the development of SAS. He issued seven challenging points that would assist them in growing their own companies: if it is not right for you, move; try to start without needing venture capitalists as investors; even if you are small try to appear big; invest in the product; establish long term, renewing, and loyal customer relationships; make your workplace a good place for employees to work (say yes when employees propose amenities for the work environment); reach out, go international.

In describing the success of SAS, the world’s largest privately held software company, Sall said, “We started as a sprout, and grew into a majestic tree.” SAS has grown from a small startup operation founded in 1976 into one of the most successful companies in the world with total employee numbers nearing the 10,000 mark.

Sall and co-founder Jim Goodnight started the company with an initial capital investment of only $100. SAS has been selected by FORTUNE magazine as one of the 10 Best Companies to Work For, ranking number 8 this year. Six times SAS has been ranked among the top 10 by FORTUNE. Today, Sall and Goodnight are ranked among the 10 richest people in North Carolina with a net worth in excess of $1 billion each.

Sall received his bachelor’s degree from Beloit College in Beloit, WI, and his master’s degree in economics from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He has studied graduate level statistics courses at North Carolina State University and was awarded an honorary doctor of sciences degree from N.C. State.

Sall and his wife, Ginger, are the parents of four children.

Dr. Shariar Mostashari, acting dean of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business presided at the hooding ceremony. Special music was provided by students James Allen Canady and Mary Whitney Rakestraw. Aaron Jackson provided piano music for the processional and recessional. Professors Robie Butler and Jo Ann Vaughan gave the invocation and benediction respectively. Professors Yu-Mong Hsiao, Derek Yonai, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Roger Pond assisted with the hooding of the candidates. Professor Carl Broadhurst explained the symbolism of the hood.