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home/welcome/alumni home/ MORE THAN 1000 DEGREES AWARDED AS 120TH COMMENCEMENT, BACCALAUREATE CELEBRATED | |
MORE THAN 1000 DEGREES AWARDED AS 120TH COMMENCEMENT, BACCALAUREATE CELEBRATED |
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More than one thousand individuals were graduated from Springfield College at ceremonies at the College’s 120th Commencement held Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, on the campus. Five doctorates, 449 master’s degrees, and one certificate of advance study were awarded during graduate commencement exercises on Saturday. On Sunday, at undergraduate ceremonies, 704 diplomas were awarded, for a total of 1,159 degree recipients this year. Representing their classmates at undergraduate commencement were Deborah Church, from the School of Human Services, and Victoria Valenti, president of the Class of 2006. Church told classmates, “Our educational attainments benefit not only ourselves but our greater society, as well … We should remember that we have grown with the purpose of providing leadership in service to others.” Valenti thanked family and friends in attendance for “providing the love and support so critical to our success.” David Heinlein, Esq., an attorney who is making a career change and was the recipient of a master’s degree in social work, told his fellow graduates, “Although we follow different paths, our receipt of graduate degrees today demonstrates a common ability to persevere.” He later said, “Let’s see how large a dent each of us can make in the problems that we face in our world today.” Heinlein represented the graduate students at their ceremony. The recently retired Director of United Campus Ministries and Spiritual Life Center Fr. Leo James Hoar returned to campus to deliver the Baccalaureate address. “Your graduation marks a change that is filled with opportunity and possibility, endless possibility,” said Fr. Leo. Earlier in the program, Baccalaureate Master of Ceremonies Megan LaPierre ’06 addressed the topic of “change,” around which the theme of the program was centered. “From four years ago, when most of us stepped onto this campus for the first time, we have seen tremendous physical changes to this campus. As we look at ourselves, we can see how we have changed and grown throughout our experiences at Springfield College.” Nancy Hogshead-Makar H’02 At graduate student ceremonies on Saturday, keynote speaker Atty. Nancy Hogshead-Makar said, “Recognize the noble purpose that got you here today. Tell as many people as possible what that is, so when you forget – also known as burnout – they can remind you and rekindle that in you.” Speaking to an audience of graduates, College officials, and guests at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony in Blake Arena, Hogshead-Makar also said, “Think about the noble purpose that made your experience here so successful; that even if you had classes with the likes of Dr. Mimi Murray, surely there were dull and painful moments in your achievement as well. What was it that was bigger than yourself, bigger than your circumstances that made you so successful?” Hogshead-Makar received an honorary doctor of Humanics degree in 2002. She’s an Olympic triple gold medalist, one of the nation’s foremost exponents of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and a professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law. Sen. Edward Kennedy H’06 Speaking at undergraduate ceremonies on Sunday, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) told graduates, “I urge you to realize that you can enjoy the world while changing it. You’ve already begun that journey at Springfield College. From its earliest days as an institution educating YMCA professionals, the College has developed a mission ‘to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.’ My brother spoke about that to the Class of 1956, and praised the commitment to community fostered here at the College.” Speaking to an audience of graduates, College officials, and guests at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Blake Field, Kennedy also said, “Each and every one of you graduating today will help shape America’s destiny in your generation. The excellent education you’ve received here at Springfield has supplied you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to help keep America strong and prosperous.” Earlier in the event, Kennedy received an honorary doctor of Humanics degree. Both his late brother and his brother-in-law also served as Springfield College commencement speakers and were awarded honorary doctoral degrees: then Senator John F. Kennedy in 1956 and R. Sargent Shriver Jr. in 1963. Updated: 05/30/2006 |
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springfield college 263 alden street, springfield, MA 01109-3797 (413)748-3000 | ||