The strength and connectivity of The Long Blue Line were important to Matt Weekley ’81 when he was a student, and it remains relevant now as a loyal and accomplished alumnus.
“I am proud to be a Marietta College graduate, and I join my parents and sister as members of The Long Blue Line,” said Weekley, who is in his second year as Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I have learned that The Long Blue Line is a living, breathing entity that consistently shows its positive power by being there to support and nurture its membership and the College.”
Weekley is prepared to support and nurture the newest members of The Long Blue Line as he will deliver the keynote address at Marietta College’s 185th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7th. The ceremony begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.
“We are excited and honored that Matt Weekley has agreed to address our graduates this spring,” Ruud said. “Prior to his retirement in 2020, Matt enjoyed a highly successful career with Plante Moran. He has also provided valuable advice and insight as a member of our Board of Trustees, and for the past two years as the Chair. I speak with Matt regularly, and I know his message to our graduates will be impactful and heartfelt.”
Weekley has been a member of the Board since 2015. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant. After spending his early years in public accounting serving health care clients, Weekley became the CFO of a health system at 29.
After more than 11 years in this role, he joined the accounting and consulting firm of Plante Moran, where he was promoted to partner and soon thereafter appointed leader of the firm’s national healthcare practice. His responsibilities included revenue growth, client satisfaction, serving on firm leadership committees, and supporting 25 partners and 200 staff across more than a dozen Plante Moran offices from Ohio to Colorado. Plante Moran is perennially listed in FORTUNE magazine’s list of “Best Companies to Work For” in America.
Weekley was selected by Plante Moran to attend Harvard Business School’s highly acclaimed program “Leading Professional Services Firms” in 2006. During his career, Weekley was often called upon to speak to clients, boards, and fellow professionals regarding topics such as change management, strategy development, and succession planning. He was considered a skilled mentor and developer of people, with many of his staff becoming partners in the firm or successful leaders in other career pursuits.
“It is an honor to be asked by President Ruud to speak at Commencement,” Weekley said. “It is an exciting day for the graduates, and it is an exciting time for them to begin their careers or continue their education in graduate school, law school, medical school or whatever they are doing next. Every member of The Long Blue Line is proud of them and we are rooting for them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
For more information about Marietta College’s 2022 Commencement, or to watch the ceremony live on May 7th, go to www.marietta.edu/commencement.