Graduating seniors and master’s students packed Lawler Arena together one last time to receive their hard-earned diplomas during Merrimack College’s 75th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16.
Despite the heavy rain on Thursday morning, there was a palpable sense of excitement as students from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences celebrated their academic journeys. On Friday, students with the Girard School of Business, the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences and the School of Education and Social Policy had their time to shine during their respective ceremonies.
In total, some 20,000 people visited Merrimack’s campus over the two-day Commencement.
“The world is desperate for more compassion, dialogue and service to our neighbors,” Merrimack College President Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D., said in his remarks to graduates. “Each of you knows what it means firsthand to have your mind enlightened, your heart engaged and your life empowered. It is time now for you to go and do the same for others.”
In a video message to the graduates that played at all five ceremonies, Merrimack Medal recipient Jandeliz Hernandez ’25 and Graduate Student President Jillian Atwood M’25 congratulated their classmates on a job well done.
“The last few years have been nothing short of exhilarating,” said Hernandez. “No matter how different our challenges have been, whether that be in the classroom, in competition or within ourselves, we have learned to rise above, adapt and move forward with grit and grace.”
“Embrace this moment,” Atwood followed, “and know that you carry with you not just a degree but a testament to your strength.”
Here’s a brief rundown of what happened at each of the five graduation ceremonies.
School of Arts and Sciences
Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain, Ret., gave an out-of-this-world address about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Earlier this year, Williams finally landed back on Earth after 286 days–278 more than expected–on the International Space Station.
“We wouldn’t have had that opportunity to participate in groundbreaking science and life science research if everything went to plan,” she told attendees, prior to receiving a honorary degree in humane letters. “We don’t always intend to do these daring things and learn so much. Sometimes just stopping for a moment and looking around allows us to see what’s happening right in front of us.”
Before the ceremony, Lauryn Steed M’25 was preparing to receive her master’s degree in communications alongside her group of friends and fellow classmates.
“I’m enrolled in a Ph.D. program for health communications at the University of Texas, Austin,” she said. “Being a professor is the end goal. Andrew Tollison (director of the Master of Arts in Communication program) is my hero and I wouldn’t be here without him.”
Graduates reunited with their friends and family on campus once the ceremony concluded.
“I’m incredibly proud,” Kim Morrison, mother of Mollie Morrison ’24, M’25, said. Mollie also received her master’s in communications at the ceremony. “Merrimack was a perfect fit for Mollie. She loved it from day one. She made a lot of friends while playing on the lacrosse team. Overall, it was a really transformative experience for her.”
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ed McDonald was one of the first parents to find a seat in Lawler before the ceremony started. He eagerly waited to see his daughter, Teagan McDonald ’25, receive her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“She really crushed it in all areas,” McDonald said of his daughter’s time at Merrimack. “She’s always been very quiet about her grades, but I knew she excelled. I’ve never been more proud of her than I was at the nursing pinning ceremony.”
Across the arena, Lauren Anderson was also looking forward to cheering on her brother, Connor Anderson ’25, as he crossed the stage.
“He’s getting a bachelor’s degree in health science,” she said. “I’m going to a physician’s assistant program at Quinnipiac next year. I think he was more inspired by me to pursue health sciences than the other way around.”
Midway through the ceremony, Carol Curtin, professor emerita at the UMass Chan Medical School, delivered the keynote address. A former leader at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Curtin’s clinical and research work supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Meaningful close connections are powerful predictors of mental, cognitive and physical health,” said Curtin, who also received an honorary degree in public health. “Make connectedness a priority in your own life and also support your patients and clients to do the same. Outside of work, develop hobbies, engage with learning and doing new things, practice faith however that is meaningful to you, tap into something larger than yourself and practice gratitude.”
Girard School of Business
Malakai Anthony ’24 M’25 was all smiles during student line-up in Hammel Court before the Girard School of Business Commencement, where he received his master’s degree. The Merrimack football quarterback greeted friends and classmates as they arrived, draped in their caps and gowns.
“Some of my highlights this year were week one and two of the football season, when we played our two biggest games against Air Force and UConn,” he said. “Graduating today feels like a major accomplishment. I’m just so excited for all my teammates and friends.”
A short while later, students marched into the Lawler behind Girard School of Business Academic Dean Michael Hyman, who led the procession as the mace bearer.
“I typically teach sophomore and junior classes,” he said moments before the ceremony kicked off. “It’s nice to see a couple of familiar faces and be with them on this special day.”
Self-described “proud Merrimack graduate” Joe Preston ’84, P’17, president and CEO of New Balance, reminisced on his time at Merrimack during his commencement address. He received an honorary degree in business and commerce.
“At the time (I graduated), the unemployment rate was about 7 percent,” he recalled. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘There are things that are out of my control.’ Either way, you need to be open about possibilities – possibilities that you don’t even know exist and possibilities that don’t even exist today. You can control your destiny if you focus on the things that you can control.”
School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
David Ayriyan M’25 and Tanner Huseman M’25 studied together in Merrimack’s computer science master’s program but the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement was the first time they met face-to-face. Both were remote students studying online – Ayriyan is from Rhode Island, while Huseman lives in Pennsylvania.
“I really liked how synchronous the program was,” Huseman said. “We would have live sessions and personal work. All the while, we still had that feeling of community.”
“It was also very flexible,” Ayriyan followed up. “I was still able to pursue my studies while working as an environmental scientist with hazardous waste management.”
In her keynote address, Carolyn Kirk, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, preached the importance of engineers in modern society.
“Each of you will have the opportunity to save a life, solve the planet’s biggest, toughest problems and help your community as long as you continue to be guided by the values that have been instilled in you at Merrimack,” she said, before receiving an honorary degree in public affairs.
After Madison Gant ’25 received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she wound the gears she installed atop her graduation cap to turn her tassel.
“I think my greatest achievement here at Merrimack was being accepted into Tau Beta Pi,” the nation’s oldest engineering honor society, she said. “I also served as president of the Robotics Club and the Society of Women Engineers chapter at Merrimack.”
School of Education & Social Policy
How does one deal with post-graduate uncertainty? Kelley Tuthill, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston, had some advice about that for the School of Education & Social Policy graduates during her keynote address.
“Embrace the mission of your soon-to-be alma mater to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives through the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue,” said Tuthill, who also received an honorary degree in humane letters. “Rely on the knowledge and skills your education has provided you, the values of the Augustinians and the courage and resilience that I know is inside each and every one of you.”
Amanda Saba ’25, conversely, wasn’t very fazed by earning her bachelor’s degree in criminology – she’ll be back on campus in the fall to pursue her master’s in the same field. Saba hopes to one day become a police officer.
“I recently took the civil service examination and the results come out in June,” she said. “It was really easy. I felt like my education here really helped prepare me for the test. It was great because a lot of my professors had a background in law enforcement.”
After the ceremony, Sherrie Barbosa greeted her daughter, Laurel Barbosa ’23 M’25, with flowers and open arms. Laurel previously received her bachelor’s in human development and services from Merrimack – this year, she earned her master’s in school counseling.
“She’s grown so much over the past six years since coming to Merrimack,” said Sherrie. “She’s shown real maturity.”
