Damon Gasque, B.S. '78
Rising to the Expectation - Damon Gasque
For an accountant with a lifetime of business experience, Damon Gasque, B.S. '78, is not a calculating man. Character, motivation, integrity: These are the measures that Gasque-the chief accounting officer and treasurer at ULLICO, a major provider of insurance and investment products to organized labor-uses to determine the worth of any endeavor. As a longtime volunteer and donor to his alma mater, Gasque believes that a true accounting of contributions requires insight into both heart and mind.
Gasque's service to UB runs the gamut, from membership on the University of Baltimore Foundation Board of Directors (including a stint as chair from 2002-04) and on the UB Alumni Association Board of Governors to committee work, such as his current position on the special gifts committee for Uniquely UB: T he Campaign for the University of Baltimore. In his time working with UB, he has come to define the concept of stewardship as raising the expectations of those alumni and friends who give to the institution and advocating for strong managerial oversight.
But this is not just a matter of business to Gasque. "For me, it's about giving back to the school that contributed to my success," he says. "When somebody plants a seed in you, I believe you're obligated to pass that seed along." And he has. The Baltimore native was the first member of his family to attend college and arrived at UB as a scholarship recipient. Today, he helps direct money to scholarships so others can attend. "I've built my life around giving back," he says.
Gasque's career has been remarkable in both pace and scope: He started in public accounting as a college senior, then moved on to manage financial operations in the insurance industry only a few years later. He also witnessed a fundamental change in his profession-not only in how accountants worked, but in the way they were treated inside the executive suite. Gasque firmly believes that those in accounting had to advance the perception of them as "bean counters" to that as leaders.
"We're problem-solvers, looking at tough financial situations," he says. "It's what we do."
And it's what he has always done for UB. Reflecting industry trends, the UB Foundati on's system of accountability has evolved to the point at which Gasque happily describes it as "full disclosure."
"I understand how everything works, and it's getting even better because of President [Robert L.] Bogomolny's progressive stance on transparency," he says. "Those who give to UB can be assured that we're acting in the best interests of the University. Their gifts to the campaign are being used as intended."
Gasque started his college career in business at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, but he quickly realized that it was practical knowledge, not theory, that interested him. A friend encouraged him to transfer to UB, where he found an "extension of my family," a campus community that gave him the attention and support he needed to realize his dreams. For this, he credits several of his professors, in particular Merrick School of Business veteran Tom Cardegna.
"I liked his point of view," Gasque recalls. "He took a liking to me, he was proud of me. I didn't, and still don't, want to let down people who believe in me." This is the essence of Gasque's message of service: When you find someone who believes in you as much as you believe in yourself, do your best to rise to the expectation.
Gasque's perspective on stewardship is similarly inspiring. Just ask Vernon H.C. Wright, B.S. '69, chair of both the UB Foundation and the Uniquely UB campaign. "I've known many accountants in my life, and for me, [Gasque] sets a standard because he sees far beyond the numbers right to the things that the numbers can do for people," Wright says. "For him, the financials must always serve the task at hand-the scholarships, faculty research, the bricks-and-mortar projects and so on. He is a steward of our University in the truest sense of the word."
The opportunities to make a difference at UB are limitless, Gasque says. He recommends that those who are interested in volunteering simply find a way to apply their talents to the need at hand. "When you commit to service, you have to look at your life, consider how you can best give," he says. "Come back to campus and talk to students, for example. They need your advice and experience."
In other words, make it about the community-the great community of learners that comprises UB's student body, both past and present. "I'm in business, so I want to see a return on investment," he says. "Volunteering is the best way I know of to support the UB family. I had a powerful experience at the University, and I want to keep that going."
