Salem State University welcomed the 2,156 members of the class of 2016 into the next chapter of their lives this May. In each of three commencement ceremonies, graduates were lauded for their extraordinary achievements and left with words of wisdom for the bright futures ahead of them.
During her introductory remarks, President Patricia Maguire Meservey noted the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the class of 2016, from North Shore locals to international students, ranging from 20 to 60 years old, with academic interests from history to English, business, social work, education and beyond.
“Through education, your lives have been changed, and you are newly empowered to make a difference in our community,” she said. “You are absolutely fabulous, and you make us so very proud.”
School of Graduate Studies
Honorary degree recipient: Michael Evans ’76, Democratic chief counsel of the United States Senate Committee on Finance
Also receiving an honorary degree was speaker Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. She implored students to use their knowledge and passion to stand up for the nation’s children, many of whom are born into poverty.
“What legacies and values will we stand for?” Edelman asked. “Will our era be remembered by the number of material things we can manufacture, advertise and consume, or by our rediscovery of more lasting, non-material measures of success?”
Student speaker Christopher Porrazzo congratulated his fellow graduates for their willingness to take the next step in their careers and lives.
“We refused to stand idle as the days dragged by. We went out and made great things happen,” he said.
College of Arts and Sciences/School of Education
Honorary degree recipient: James Rudolph Esq., managing partner, Rudolph Friedmann LLP
Salem State also awarded an honorary degree to speaker Micho Spring, president of Weber Shandwick-New England. As an immigrant from Cuba who frequently found herself the only female in a corporate boardroom, Spring encouraged graduates to see their own challenges as assets for their successes.
“The fact is that your generation rises into a world of opportunity that is unparalleled, and responsibilities that are greater still. Cynicism will deprive you of both,” she said.
Student speaker Mercedes Slawter ’16 spoke of overcoming the challenges of attending Salem State more than 2,000 miles from her home in Spokane, WA.
“Every tear and all the stress was worth it,” she exclaimed. “I met faculty members and administrators who pushed me past what I thought my limits were, because they saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself.”
College of Health and Human Services/Bertolon School of Business
Honorary degree recipient: Leonard Campanello, chief of police, Gloucester, MA and innovator of substance abuse help programs
In addition to Campanello, Salem State also awarded an honorary degree to commencement speaker Neil Chayet Esq., host of WBZ radio’s “Looking at the Law” since 1976. Chayet acknowledged the conflicts that the graduates would face as professionals in business, health and human services, but noted that conflict can often be beneficial. One of his key tips for managing conflict? Tell others how you feel instead of what they are.
“When you tell people what they are, they are immediately on the defensive,” he said. “When you tell them how you feel, it opens the door to empathy; to feelings instead of accusations.”
Student speaker Michael Crawford ’16 congratulated the many Salem State students who balanced their course loads with jobs, family and other commitments.
“We all took a risk, and today we get the reward for all of the sacrifice and hard work that we put into our education,” he said.
Congratulations and best wishes to the class of 2016!
The #SalemState16 hashtag generated thousands of social media posts over the three ceremonies. Check out a few favorites on our commencement 2016 Storify.
