Video of the 2017 Graduate Commencement
UMass Dartmouth awarded 535 degrees at the graduate student ceremony of the university’s 117th Commencement on May 13.
MacArthur Foundation Managing Director Cecilia Conrad, who was awarded an honorary degree, urged master’s and doctoral graduates to “shape environments that inspire creativity.” Author LGBT activist Jennifer Finney Boylan was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for her “unyielding commitment to recognizing and protecting the core truth of every individual.”
Graduate student speaker Michael Savaria, who was awarded his doctoral degree in Education Leadership and Policy Studies, also addressed his classmates.
“If we want society to be better, we need to get involved to work towards making it so,” he said. “You are important in this world. You are essential. Embrace your power and share it.”
News story: UMass Dartmouth awards 535 graduate degrees at Xfinity Center