2016 2016: Future business leaders spurred to “Go for it!” at UMass Dartmouth commencement ceremony

582 students earn degrees from Charlton College of Business; 147 MBAs awarded

Today UMass Dartmouth celebrated the Charlton College of Business Class of 2016 at the University's Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. The Charlton Class of 2016 is made up of 582 students (433 undergraduates, 149 graduates). The top three areas of undergraduate study for the business school’s graduating class were accounting, marketing, and finance. 147 MBAs were awarded during this morning’s ceremony. The University is celebrating its first graduating class since its ascension to Doctoral Research University earlier this year.

“The title of my address today is ‘Go for it!’ – and that’s my advice both to you and to myself,” UMass Dartmouth Interim Chancellor Peyton R. “Randy” Helm. “I join your professors, your families, and all on this campus who have nurtured and cared for you during your time with us in wishing you a bright and fulfilling future.”

Chancellor Helm kicked off the University’s Commencement 2016 celebration offering the Commencement Address to the future business leaders. Peyton R. “Randy” Helm was appointed interim chancellor of UMass Dartmouth in January 2016. Before joining UMass Dartmouth, Chancellor Helm led Muhlenberg College for 12 years and was named President Emeritus by the College’s trustees at Commencement last May. Before his Muhlenberg presidency, Helm served as vice president for college relations and professor of classical studies at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and held leadership positions in student affairs and development at the University of Pennsylvania.

UMass President Marty Meehan was present for today's ceremony and offered congratulatory remarks to the Class of 2016. President Meehan is the first undergraduate alumnus to lead the five-campus University of Massachusetts system.

“Your ability to achieve your full potential in life will be directly tied to a lifelong commitment to learning,” President Meehan said. “I know the grit and work ethic on this campus and I know there is nothing you can’t achieve if you put your heart, mind, and soul into it.”

Tayla Vincent ‘16, of East Providence, Rhode Island offered the student address during the ceremony. During her time at UMass Dartmouth she participated in student government, representing the Charlton College of Business and serving as recording secretary and most recently as president. As a double major in accounting and management with a focus in organizational leadership, Tayla was able to combine her interest in accounting with a greater understanding about the decision-making process of organizations and how they choose the best leadership styles. After graduation, Tayla will pursue a career at CPA firm Daniel Dennis & Company LLP.

I will not wish you luck, but I will leave you with this – you’ve earned it.

“Having good luck means getting everything you desire without having to work for it and we know that’s not true,” Tayla said. “It’s not easy to achieve your goals. It takes hard work and determination. It takes constant trial and error before we finally get what we work hard for. I will not wish you luck, but I will leave you with this – you’ve earned it.”

UMass Dartmouth's commencement ceremony for the multi-college combined ceremony of the College of Engineering, College of Nursing, College of Visual & Performing Arts, and School for Marine Science & Technology will take place later today at 2:30 p.m. at the University's Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. More than 1,200 students will earn their degrees over each of the two ceremonies held today.

The UMass Dartmouth Class of 2016 is made up of 2,086 students, representing 214 Massachusetts communities, 22 states, and 26 countries. The top five communities of UMass Dartmouth's graduating class are New Bedford, Fall River, Dartmouth, Boston, and Taunton. University officials expect to award 32 PhDs and 11 DNPs (Doctor of Nursing Practice). The PhDs include a record number in educational leadership and policy studies, as well as degrees in nursing, biomedical engineering and technology, electrical engineering, and marine sciences and technology.

UMass Dartmouth’s Charlton College of Business has been named to The Princeton Review’s 2016 list of Best 295 Business Schools. ‌‌The recognition from The Princeton Review comes at an exciting time for the business school as construction of the 22,000 sq ft 'Learning Pavilion' expansion is well underway. ‌‌Construction of the expansion began summer 2015. The 'Learning Pavilion' will contain critically needed space including classrooms, meeting spaces, auditorium and technology enhanced areas. The project is expected to cost a total of $15 million. Construction, which is being managed by Agostini Construction, is scheduled to be finished in fall 2016.

UMass Dartmouth's 2016 Commencement ceremonies will take place May 13-16. All of the ceremonies, except for the UMass School of Law, will be held in the University's Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial Amphitheater. For a full schedule and up-to-date info on UMass Dartmouth’s 2016 Commencement, visit www.umassd.edu/commencement. Each Commencement ceremony can be watched via live stream.

UMass Dartmouth was elevated to Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education following the release of its final 2015 classification in February. The only Bay State research university located south of Boston distinguishes itself as a vibrant public university actively engaged in personalized teaching and innovative research, and acting as an intellectual catalyst for regional economic, social, and cultural development. UMass Dartmouth's mandate to serve its community is realized through countless partnerships, programs, and other outreach efforts to engage the community, and apply its knowledge to help address local issues and empower others to facilitate change for all.