Jean Moran, CEO of LMI Packaging Solutions Inc., told Gateway Technical College graduates they need eliminate the negative stories in their life which hold them back from success – and embrace those stories and opportunities which empower them to succeed.

Moran delivered the keynote address at Gateway Technical College’s Associate Degree and Technical Diploma Class of 2013 Commencement May 14 at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Sports and Activity Center, 900 Wood Road, Kenosha.

The ceremony recognized 753 prospective candidates for graduation from the Spring 2013 and Summer 2013 semesters. About 340 participated in the ceremony.

“I think you graduates are courageous … you have more courage now than when you first began,” Moran said. “You will have some rich stories because of what you’ve accomplished over the past few years.”

The numbers this year are somewhat lower than recent years because Gateway held its inaugural December graduation ceremony in 2012, which recognized 379 students graduating in the Fall 2012 semester and 102 in the Summer 2012 semester. In previous years, the May graduation recognized students from all three semesters.

Since 1985, Moran has overseen all phases of LMI Packaging Solutions, Inc. operations, providing flexible packaging solutions to the food and consumer goods industries. LMI is formally known as Label Makers, Inc.

Other commencement highlights included the presentation of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Gateway Technical College Alumni Association, which will be awarded to Nate Skewes.

Skewes, of Yorkville, earned an associate degree from Gateway Technical College’s Fire Science program in 2006. He is a firefighter/EMT for the Waukegan Fire Department.

The commencement program will be available for download from Gateway’s Web site in early June. Please check the college’s Web site at www.gtc.edu/graduation for updated information.