Chancellor Marty Meehan presided over Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 30 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell when 2,200 graduates -- a record number for the university -- received bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.Meehan challenged the Class of 2009 to seize the power of their education to take an active role in their community and the world.
"Nelson Mandela said, 'Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.' This is an unprecedented moment of change in our nation and in the world. Going forward, I hope all of you will be active citizens who are deeply engaged with public affairs, from local issues to global concerns," Meehan told graduates.
Harold Ford Jr., a former Congressman from Tennessee and a news analyst for NBC and MSNBC, was the Commencement speaker.
"The core challenge for these graduates is to use their gifts of knowledge, kindness and courage to help shape a future as bold and daring as the ones our forefathers dreamed of and fought for," said Ford.
UMass President Jack Wilson praised this year's graduates for the work they are doing on sustainability and green technology, and in business, education and health care, both in Massachusetts and around the world.
Abbey Denaro, an exercise physiology major and one of the recipients of this year's Chancellor's Medal for Student Service, was the student speaker.
The University presented honorary degrees to Bernard Amadei, founder of Engineers Without Borders; George Duncan, chairman of Enterprise Bank; Chaz Maviyane-Davies, a professor and artist; and Robert Pozen, chairman of MFS Investments and a former Fidelity Investments top executive. The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was Kathleen Beaumont Allen '77, former corporate vice president and chief financial officer of Millipore Corp.
A pre-Commencement scholarship fundraiser on Friday, May 29 raised more than $300,000 for scholarships.
Source: PRNewswire
