AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - UMass-Amherst seniors are getting a pep talk from alumnus John Jacobs, the co-founder of apparel and lifestyle company Life is Good.
Jacobs is scheduled to provide a message of optimism and resilience to the Class of 2020 via video in a virtual senior celebration on Friday.
Jacobs will also deliver a full address as keynote speaker for the class during an in-person commencement event at a later date.
“Given the extraordinary times we find ourselves in today, I cannot think of a more forward-looking keynote speaker than John Jacobs,” Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said in a statement. “John’s story of optimism, resilience and success is sure to lift the spirits of our graduates and their families who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Jacobs graduated from UMass-Amherst in 1990 with a degree in English literature and a minor in art. He and his brother Bert conceived of the company during a cross country trip in 1988, but it didn’t take off until 1994 when they came up with the Life is Good concept.
The brothers also founded the Life is Good Kids Foundation to which they donate 10% of their annual net profits.
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